Hosted by Silicon Valley Youth Climate ACtion

Saturday, july 29 | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

De anza college’s kirsch center for environmental Studies

 
 

High school and college students, young professionals, community stakeholders and industry leaders are invited to a day of learning, networking and discussion around climate solutions and strategies. This year's summit will include action-oriented breakout sessions, panel presentations, and keynote speakers that will empower all attendees to make a difference and fight climate change. 

Lunch will be provided. This is a zero-waste event, please bring your own water bottle!

Together, let's inspire our youth, forge connections, and catalyze change at the Youth Leadership Summit. We can't wait to see you there!

The Kirsch Center is located near the south part of campus. Please use the entrance off McClellan Road onto Campus Drive and park near Parking Lot D. Visit the campus map for directions.

Hear from our speakers

Keynote Panel - California GHG Emissions Reduction:

  • Rod Diridon Sr: Former Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor, National Public Transit Advocate

  • Ken Branson: Senior Climate Policy Advisor for California State Senator Josh Becker

  • Veda Banerjee: Director of Communications, California Environmental Voters

“Careers in Climate” Panel:

  • Evan Hynes: CEO of Climatebase

  • Antoinette West: Senior Manager of Career Pathways at Elemental Excelerator

  • Dan Evans: Senior Director of Product Management at Itron

Energy & Community Choice Aggregation Panel:

  • Kathleen Hughes: Assistant Director, SV Power

  • Vanessa Shin, Community Outreach Specialist, Peninsula Clean Energy

  • Eric Rodriguez, Program Manager, Silicon Valley Clean Energy

  • Lina Williams, Deputy Director, San Jose Clean Energy

Transportation Solutions Panel:

  • Sam Sargent: Director at Caltrain

  • Rod Sinks: Founder of Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Former Mayor of Cupertino, FUHSD Board of Trustees

  • Monica Mallon: Public Transit Advocate & San Jose Spotlight

Circular Economy & Nature-Based Solutions Panel:

  • Bill Shireman, President & Founder of Future 500, Former CA Against Waste

  • Erin Rodriguez, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at CalRecycle

  • Kat Hanrahan, Zero Waste Coordinator at SF Environment

  • Lena Eyen, Community Impact & Policy Specialist at Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

Followed by Breakout Strategy Discussions with our SVYCA City, County, and State Advocacy Teams!

  • Attended by Sen. Dave Cortese, Asm. Ash Kalra, San Jose City Councilmember David Cohen, Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein, Cupertino Mayor Hung Wei, and more!

If you're excited about supporting this incredible event or have innovative ideas to share, we welcome you to reach out to rohan.pandit@svyouthclimate.org. Your sponsorship and contributions can help create an unforgettable summit for all attendees.

Co-Hosts

Green Pioneers

Sustainability Champions

Climate Allies

Youth Advocate Supporters

Individual Sponsors

  • Margaret abe-koga; Mtn. View city councilmember

  • Richard Lowenthal; Fmr. CEO of ChargePoint & Mayor of Cupertino

  • Linda Sell; Sunnyvale City Councilmember

  • Dave Poeschel; Fmr. Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Guadalupe Regional Group Conservation Committee chair

Partners & Collaborators