Sustain Dane Summit 2026

Join us on Friday, November 6, 2026, for the 18th Annual Sustain Dane Summit at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center from 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. The Summit brings together people from across sectors to learn, connect, reflect on progress, and build skills for creating a more sustainable and resilient future.

Creating meaningful climate solutions requires both individual actions and systemic change. We understand that the health of our environment is inseparable from the health of people. This year's Summit will explore how these approaches work together, using our food system as a powerful example of how everyday choices, community initiatives, and broader policies can collectively shape a more sustainable future.

Summit Agenda:

• 8:00 AM — 8:45 AM Arrival, Breakfast, & Networking
• 8:45 AM — 10:30 AM Keynote: Ingredients to a Sustainable Food System
• 10:30 AM — 11:00 AM Break & Networking
• 11:00 AM — 11:45 PM Local Businesses Taking Action in Sustainability
• 11:45 PM — 1:00 PM Lunch, Raffle, & Networking
• 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM On the Menu: Chefs & Sustainability
• 2:00 PM — 2:45 PM Year in Review: Data Centers, Composting, & Building Energy Savings Program
• 2:45 PM — 3:00 PM Live Forward Awards
• 3:00 PM Closing & Networking

Keynote Session: Ingredients to a Sustainable Food System

Sarah Lloyd and Michelle Orge will be joining us for our 2026 keynote session. From the food on our plates to the fields where it is grown, our food system is shaped by a web of environmental, economic, and social actions. This session will unpack those connections and explore how change happens at different levels – from the choices we make every day to the systems that shape those choices.

Sarah Lloyd is a farmer, researcher, and rural sociologist who brings a deep understanding of the connections between people, land, and our food system. Through her work and lived experience, Sarah explores how farmers, communities, and institutions can build more resilient and sustainable food systems. She works off-farm for the Soil Health & Agroecological Living Lab at University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota, and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative.

Michelle Orge is the President and Executive Director of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, supporting 16 counties in southwestern Wisconsin. After 15 years in the restaurant industry, she made the move to food banking in 2001. Michelle is the Vice President and Treasurer of Feeding Wisconsin, Treasurer of Feeding America’s Midwest Association of Food Banks, and engages in local, regional, and national initiatives and committees, and conversations relevant to food systems and food security and its root causes.

On the Menu: Chefs & Sustainability

Local restaurants sit at the intersection of food, business, and community. Learn how local chefs at your favorite restaurants are helping shape a more sustainable food system. These chefs will offer a unique perspective on the opportunity and challenges of creating meaningful change in the food system with strategies that can be applied across industries. Together, these chefs will discuss climate change impacts on the food industry, sustainable business practices, and the importance of strong relationships between local producers and restaurants. We will hear from:

• Chef Evan Dannells, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge and Cadre
• Christy McKenzie, Owner, Pasture & Plenty
• Chef Elena Terry, Tall Grass and Wild Bearies
• Chef Annemarie Maitri, Bloom Bake Shop, Lallande, and Waltzing Matilda’s

Local Businesses Taking Action in Sustainability:

Businesses play a critical role in addressing climate change, and their actions can spark ripple effects across our community. We will share how Sustain Dane works alongside organizations to turn ideas into project action. A panel of three individuals will share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in their journey of implementing environmentally responsible projects at work that contribute to a more sustainable future. Panelists will also reflect on how these projects fit into their business’ broader sustainability efforts and the impact they’re making. Click here to read more about the panelists’ projects.

Featured Speakers:

• Billy McGrail, Director of Supply Chain and Distribution, Kleenmark

• Lauren Brahm, Interior Design Project Specialist, EUA

• Adam Schmidt, Business Planning Lead, Midwest Solar Power

Year in Review: Data Centers, Composting, & Building Energy Savings Program

Join us to discuss ideas that have been top of mind in our community. Learn about the programs and conversations that shaped sustainability this year. Presentations will include:

• The data center landscape in Wisconsin including use of community benefit agreements and local policy changes
• Composting and food waste programs reducing landfill waste and increasing soil health through the Dane County Scrap Stops
• The Building Energy Savings Program (BESP) in Madison that has improved energy efficiency in large commercial buildings

Presenters include:

• Anna Haensch, Associate Professor at UW-Madison
• Wyeth Augustine-Marceil, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at Dane County Waste + Renewables
• Jessica Price, Sustainability & Recilience Manager at the City of Madison Mayor’s Office

Live Forward Awards:

Who do you know that’s making a difference in the sustainability of our communities? The Live Forward Awards honor local changemakers and emerging leaders who are creating positive impact through sustainability, community well-being, and resilience.

Congratulations to all the 2026 nominees:

• Angela Puerta, Musician & City of Madison
• Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals WI, EHS Team
• Employees of Pellitteri Waste Systems, Inc.
• Gloria Castillo Posada, MGE
• Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
• Jessica Hannebert and Catherine Frerker, Climate Changemakers Madison
• Martin (Martye) Griffin, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District
• Nate Good, Operation Fresh Start
• Ryan Holley, The River Food Pantry
• Sara Booth, UW Hospital
• Troy Farm and Kids Garden
• Urban Triage

You can learn more about all nominees here.

Member Registrations

Member organizations receive complimentary registration based on their membership size and level. See below for the number of registrations for each size & level. Thank you to our members and supporting partners!

Interested in additional visibility at the Summit?

Learn more in the sponsorship packet here. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $10,000. Through sponsorship of the 2026 Summit, you can:

• Elevate your organization’s commitment to sustainability in Dane County
• Participate in meaningful learning, networking, and professional development
• Gain business development as a leader in corporate social responsibility
• Be visible through extensive marketing, press releases, and online promotions

Email Claire Oleksiak at claire@sustaindane.org to discuss your desired sponsorship level. For maximum recognition opportunity, secure sponsorship by September 30, 2026.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available—email hello@sustaindane.org for info.

Registration Deadline

Register by October 31 to ensure we can accommodate dietary requests and to receive a printed name tag.

Getting There

Check out RoundTrip for alternative transit methods. Parking for the Monona Terrace.