Seminars

The Nuri Group continues Rashid Nuri’s 50-year career, rooted in building communities on the foundation of agriculture. Rashid’s experience in agriculture and organizational development has prepared him to share those skills with others who promote the vision of strong communities, with equitable access to the tools for prosperity. He is a pioneer in the U.S. New Food Movement, helping to build communities that have become more self-sufficient through natural urban agriculture.

The focus of The Nuri Group is to advocate broadly for urban agriculture at the local, regional, and national levels. In addition to his core constituency of urban farmers and urban farming organizations, Rashid works with educators, legislators, urban planners and advocates for social justice, to provide concepts, tools and training for greater impact. The mission of The Nuri Group is to solidify the position of urban agriculture as an economic engine and a tool for building powerful communities.

Michael Chanin is the founder and CEO of Cherry Street Energy, the largest non-utility renewable energy provider in Georgia. Michael founded the business informed by his background in structured financial products and growth oriented businesses. He started his career in Goldman Sachs’ Special Situations Group, ran finance and operations for a San Francisco-based technology company, and has invested in renewable energy markets since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, where he received a MPhil in development studies, and Northwestern University, where he received a BA in American studies and history.

Emory University’s 15,000-plus solar panels show commitment to net zero goals – Saporta Report

Transformative solar power agreement will help Emory reduce greenhouse gas emissions – Emory News

Debjani Sihi is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Environmental Sciences Division and the Climate Change Science Institute. She is interested in evaluating the dynamics of soil organic matter decomposition and greenhouse gas emission along aerobic to anaerobic gradients in systems ranging from the tropics and subtropics (El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, Florida Everglades) to temperate and boreal transition forests (Howland Forest and Harvard Forest in NE USA). 

Her current research at ORNL aims to develop a genome-informed geochemical model framework for predicting greenhouse emission from tropical soils and wetlands.

Part of the Young Climate Professionals Series and in partnership with GEEG: Goizueta Energy and Environment Group

Please join Ms. Wood as she discusses her career starting out in sustainability, how her company has been impacted by COVID-19 and her perspective on sustainability within corporations.

Brionté believes in a healthier, more vibrant future for all people and the planet. She has dedicated her career to teaching people how to self organize and building strategic partnerships that protect the environment, advance racial equity, and grow civic engagement. Brionté earned a B.S. in Public Policy from Georgia State University and minored in Spanish. In 2014, she led the Georgia Sierra Club’s involvement in the successful effort to expand MARTA to Clayton County. Brionté now serves as the Director of the Georgia Conservation Voters where she works to elect pro-environment candidates and hold elected officials accountable for their actions and votes. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Atlanta Beltline Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee and is on the board of Citizens for Progressive Transit. She is an advisor and consultant to governmental and nonprofit organizations who are looking to develop internal and external equity practices and advance public engagement campaigns. She is always looking for opportunities to shape public policy for a more sustainable and equitable future.