Past Keynote Speakers

Journalist and Author

McLean was an editor-at-large at Fortune Magazine, where her 2001 piece, “Is Enron Overpriced?” was one of the first skeptical articles about Enron. After Enron collapsed into bankruptcy, she co-authored The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron with her Fortune colleague Peter Elkind. A documentary based on the book was nominated for an Academy Award in 2006. Learn more.

Geologist, Earth Historian

Naomi Oreskes, Ph.D. is the author of The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change, which laid to rest the idea that there was significant disagreement in the scientific community about the reality of global warming and its human causes. Learn more.

Journalist, Producer, and 2008 United States Vice-Presidential Candidate
(Green Party)

Rosa Alicia Clemente is an organizer, political commentator, and independent journalist. An Afro-Puerto Rican born and raised in the Bronx, NY she has dedicated her life to organizing, scholarship, and activism. From Cornell to prisons, Rosa is one of her generations leading scholars on the issues of Afro-Latinx identity. Learn more.

Conservation Biologist, Environmental Historian, and Writer

Curt Meine is a conservation biologist, environmental historian, and writer. He serves as Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin and with the Chicago-based Center for Humans and Nature. He is a Research Associate with the International Crane Foundation, also located in Baraboo, and Associate Adjunct Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Learn more.

Journalist and Author

Lily Raff McCaulou is a journalist based in Bend, Oregon whose writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Atlantic. Her memoir, Call of the Mild: Learning to Hunt My Own Dinner, was named one of the best books of 2012 by The San Francisco Chronicle. Learn more

Investigative Journalist, Author, and Co-Founder of The Intercept

Jeremy Scahill confronts America’s War on Terror—a campaign of assassinations, drone strikes, surveillance, and covert ops—with rare insight. In talks, he draws from his nearly two decades of investigative reporting to illuminate the biased media coverage and hidden agendas of US foreign policy. In so doing, he offers an ethical appeal for greater transparency and accountability in both election coverage and international journalism. Learn more

Author, Humorist, Singer/Songwriter, Intermittent Pig Farmer

Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, playwright, and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin. Perry’s bestselling memoirs include Population 485, Truck: A Love Story, Coop, Visiting Tom, and his latest, Montaigne in Barn Boots: An Amateur Ambles Through Philosophy. Learn more

Documentary Screening

“Solar Roots – The Pioneers of PV” is the true story of how a small group of backwoods engineers and business hippies brought solar photovoltaic technology down from space into homes around the world delivering “solar power to the people”.  Learn more

Sustainability, Research & Grant Manager, Organic Valley

Jonathan has worked in sustainable agriculture and food systems for eight years—currently for Organic Valley: America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. His work is focused at the nexus of energy, water, and food systems. He leads Organic Valley’s efforts in natural resource conservation, renewable energy production, environmental research, and employee engagement. Learn more

CEO and Co-Founder, Grid Alternatives

Erica Mackie, P.E., co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and as CEO has helped develop it into a major national nonprofit that makes solar technology and job training accessible to underserved communities. Learn more

Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Tesla

At Tesla, JB manages the technical direction and engineering design of the Tesla products including battery technology, power electronics, motors, software, firmware and controls. JB also manages important initiatives including: the Tesla Energy business providing grid storage; the worldwide Tesla Supercharger network; and the Tesla Gigafactory. Learn more

Journalist and Professor

Kari Lydersen is a Chicago-based staff writer for Midwest Energy News, journalism professor in the Medill school of journalism graduate program at Northwestern University, and co-director of the Social Justice News Nexus at Medill, focusing on energy and environmental justice. Learn more

Owner-Operator at Nami Moon Farm

Chris and his partner Maria Davis own and operate Nami Moon Farms in Custer, WI. Their 41-acre diversified livestock farm focuses on pasture-raised poultry and hogs and perennial and annual fruits and vegetables. Chris currently serves on the state board for Wisconsin Farmers Union. Learn more

Director, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance

Jason Edens is the founder and Director of the Renewable Energy Alliance, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting energy poverty with solar power and ensuring that solar energy is accessible to all. Learn more

Co-Director, Between Earth and Sky

Jonathan Seaborn is a two time Emmy winning nonfiction filmmaker and Co-Director of ‘Between Earth and Sky.’ Jonathan will introduce the documentary ‘Between Earth and Sky,’ and facilitate a Q&A following the showing. Learn more