Tandem Global Conference 2026

Agenda

Unlock what’s ahead at the 2026 Tandem Global Conference, presented by ExxonMobil

The 2026 Tandem Global Conference, presented by ExxonMobil is designed for leaders and practitioners at the intersection of business, nature, climate and water. Over two full days in Austin on June 2–3, our agenda delivers a curated mix of strategic keynotes, expert‑led sessions and interactive workshops that equip attendees with actionable insights and practical approaches to advance corporate sustainability and biodiversity goals. From cutting‑edge tools and frameworks to compelling case studies and peer exchange, you’ll gain knowledge and connections to strengthen your work and accelerate impact across your organization’s environmental agenda. Explore the full agenda below to plan your experience. 

Badge Pick Up and On-Site Registration  |  7:00am – 3:30pm

Exhibit Hall Open  |  8:00am – 4:00pm

Breakfast Briefing   |  Years in the Making: Inspiring Stories of Conservation that Endure |  8:00 – 8:50am

  • Ashley Fox, Associate Environmental Advisor, OPG
  • Lynn Anne Sanguedolce, Senior Principal and Manager, ExxonMobil
  • Megan Gutierrez, Coordinator, Certification, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Mainstage Keynote Presentation   |  AI at the Center: How Chief Sustainability Officers are Leveraging Technology to Advance Climate and Nature Goals |  9:00 – 10:00am

  • Bill Cobb, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Freeport-McMoRan
  • Eunice Heath, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, CRH
  • Emilio Tenuta, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Ecolab
  • Margaret O’Gorman, CEO, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Session  |  10:00 – 11:30am

Building for Bees Workshop: Supporting Pollinator the Right Way

  • Andy Grinstead, Senior Conservation Manager, Pollinator Partnership
  • Sara Wittenberg, Bee Friendly Gardening Manager, Pollinator Partnership
  • Delainey Williams, Manager, Certification, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Concurrent Sessions  (there are 2 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  10:00 – 10:50m

Seeding Success: What High-Impact Conservation Partnerships Get Right

  • Sherrell Cordas, Community Relations Manager, WM
  • Joseph Plappert, Urban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept
  • Alexandra Hofner, Senior Manager, Social Impact, Tandem Global (Moderator)

From Turf to Habitat: Turning Corporate Land into a Strategic Asset

  • Amy Beasley, Associate Sustainability Director, Water and Nature, DOW
  • Becky Martin, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Toyota
  • Nate Terra, Safety and Environmental Advisor, Toyota
  • Hannah Tailor, Senior Manager, Certification, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Concurrent Sessions  (there are 2 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  11:00 – 11:50m

Where Nature Meets People: The Human Dimension of Conservation

  • Carolyn Jewell, Senior Manager Biodiversity and Natural Resources, CRH
  • Karin Perissinotto, Sustainability Manager, CalPortland
  • Robert Campbell, Senior Director, Consulting, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Next Gen Impact: How Students Are Accelerating Corporate Conservation

  • Tara Bazille, Socioeconomic Advisor, ExxonMobil
  • Jennifer MacLellan, Intern, Grifols
  • Jeff Seibert, Environmental Group Manager, General Motors
  • Mike White, Sr. Technical Production, Grifols
  • Doreen Tadde, Senior Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Lunch and Mainstage Presentation |  State of Corporate Conservation   |  12:00 – 1:30pm

  • Margaret O’Gorman, CEO, Tandem Global

Concurrent Sessions  (there are 2 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  2:00 – 3:00pm

Forests at Work: Corporate Models Driving Biodiversity and Resilience

  • Kailey Miller Davis, Senior Manager, Social Impact, WM
  • Ryan Sarsfield, Senior Advisor for Biodiversity Markets, Environmental Policy Innovation Center
  • Daniel Goldfarb, Director, Ecological Restoration, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Stories Behind the Metrics: Nature at Scale

  • Grace Saunders, Trinity Consultants
  • Regan Smyth, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, NatureServe
  • James Stewart, Director of Environmental, Governmental and Community Affairs, ASARCO
  • Josiane Bonneau, Manager, Nature Programs, Freeport-McMoRan (Moderator)

Networking Break   |  3:00 – 3:30pm

Sessions (there are 2 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  3:45 – 4:30pm

Beyond Gray Infrastructure: Nature-based Solutions That Deliver

  • Jenni Harris, Geospatial and Sustainability SME, BP
  • Dr. Richard Kline, Professor, The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
  • Justin McInnis, President and CEO, TEXSAR
  • Abigail McBride, Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Sponsored Content Presented by Ramboll 

A Tandem Global Elevate Women’s Networking Event  |  Rethinking What It Takes to Matter – Keynote and Reception  |  4:30pm – 6:00pm
This event requires pre-registration.

  • Jayme Shiarla, Executive Wellness Coach, Jayme Shiarla Coaching

Badge Pick Up and On-Site Registration  |  7:45am – 3:00pm, 5:00 – 6:00pm

Exhibit Hall Open  |  9:00am – 3:00pm

Breakfast Briefing  |  Learning from the Land: Elevating Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation |  8:00 – 8:50am

  • Karla Gonzalez, Sustainability & Social Responsibility Manager, Vulcan Materials
  • Glenna Lee, Freeport-McMoRan
  • Ashley Vanegas, Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Mainstage Keynote Presentation  |  9:00 – 10:00am

  • Courtney Lohmann

Makers’ Pavilion Sponsored by ExxonMobil  |  10:00am – 2:00pm

Concurrent Sessions (there are 3 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  10:30 – 11:30am

Planting Power: How Partnerships Are Rewiring Landscapes for Pollinators

  • Krista De Cooke, Director, Homegrown National Park
  • Andy Grinstead, Senior Conservation Manager, Pollinator Partnership
  • Josh Nelson, Development Director, Wild Ones
  • Sherri Spivey, Public Affairs Specialist, Cemex (Moderator)

Digital Frontiers: How Technology is Transforming Conservation at Scale

  • Colin Benitt, GIS Director, Steward Green
  • Aime Hedblom, Corporate Sustainability Director, Ecolab
  • Holly Robertson, Sr. Director of Development, American Bird Conservancy
  • Jacque Williamson, Senior Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

From Remediation to Regeneration: Fixing the Past, Designing the Future

  • Umargarooq Abdulwahab, Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil
  • Sara Copp Frenz, Managing Consultant, Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Ramboll
  • Randy Mandel, Practice Lead, Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health
  • Ed Vanyo, Environmental Remediation Specialist, BASF
  • Mitch Robinson, Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Makers’ Pavilion and Dessert Break   |  1:30 – 2:00pm

Mainstage Session  |  Climate Realities in Texas: Water Risk, Urban Resilience, and Corporate Leadership  |  2:00 – 3:00pm

  • Joni Carswell, CEO and President, Texan By Nature
  • Sarah Schlessinger, CEO, Texas Water Foundation
  • Adam Butler, CEO, Butler (Moderator)

Concurrent Sessions (there are 2 concurrent sessions during this time)  |  3:00 – 4:00pm

From Wildlife Issue to Business Risk: What’s at Stake When Bat Populations Fall

  • Winifred Frick, Chief Scientist, Bat Conservation International
  • Stephanie Ng, Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Early Warning Systems: Using Biodiversity To Anticipate and Manage Risk

  • Jorge Calderon, International Communications Manager, The Earth Lab
  • Julie Stanford, CEO, eDNA Explorer
  • David Strelneck, BeeOdiversity
  • Shaun Clark, Senior Consultant, Tandem Global (Moderator)

Certification Photo Studio, Sponsored by Chevron – By Appointment  |  3:00pm – 5:00pm

Networking Cocktail Hour  |  5:30pm – 6:30pm

Tandem Global Awards Dinner Sponsored by General Motors  |  6:30pm – 9:30pm