Felician University’s Lenke Family Center for Innovation and the Royal Academy of Science International Trust arranged a new, international forum focused on developing sustainable solutions to some of the world’s top challenges. The event is coming to the American Dream in East Rutherford and the United Nations in Manhattan on June 6 and 7.
Known as the Innovation kNowledge eXchange of 2022, or INX22, the program will convene global and local business trailblazers, corporate social responsibility decision-makers, philanthropy professionals and U.S. and international university staff, faculty and students.
Sustainability best practice presentations and problem-solving inspiration will be showcased on Day 1 at the American Dream complex, and a student case study competition in which teams will present to a worldwide audience — and compete for a $10,000 team prize — will take place on Day 2 at the United Nations.
“INX22 will shine a spotlight on international industry leaders and entrepreneurial-minded students who are committed to creating a more sustainable future,” said Joseph Lizza, executive director, Lenke Family Center for Innovation. “Our entire program is designed to inspire action, fuel important conversations and spark innovative ideas. This first-time event will foster this evolution for years to come.”
Also on Day 1, at the American Dream complex, attendees will hear from and network with business leaders who will share their journeys, enlighten participants and show how they blaze new sustainability directions within their organizations.
Speakers include international and local innovation leaders from Canada, Ireland and New Jersey include:
- Khawar Nasim, acting consul general of Canada to the U.S., in New York, who will speak about innovation in sustainability in the Canadian government sector.
- Clare Guinness, innovation district director for Innovation City Belfast, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will share how her city is leveraging its strengths in fintech, green tech and health tech innovation to attract high-quality investment and provide an environment where the latest research from regional universities can be rapidly translated into world-class businesses.
- Kai Feder, chief of staff at the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, will address the office’s work to equip private entrepreneurs with the innovative skills needed to solve public problems.
- Dr. Kemi Olugemo, director of communications for Women of Color in Pharma — an organization addressing equity in the life sciences industry and serving as a catalyst to address global inequities in health, economic wealth and education within communities of color.
INX22 will also feature several panel discussions, including one focusing on food sustainability at restaurants and within the food supply.
Sponsorship opportunities and tickets available
INX22 is pursing sponsor partnerships with businesses and other organizations focused on the support of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, entrepreneurship and more. A variety of sponsorship packages are available, providing organizations with high visibility and a range of benefits, including marketing/branding opportunities prior to and during the event, award underwriting, hosting meals and breaks at the forum and student pitch competition judging positions at the United Nations.
For more information on sponsorship packages, or to purchase tickets, contact INX2022@felician.edu or click here.
Panelists include Chef Antonio and Brenda De Ieso, owners of Italian farm-to-table restaurant Fiorentini — the first business in Rutherford to be identified on the state of New Jersey’s Sustainable Business Registry.
The panel also features Stacey Antine, founder of Ridgewood.-based HealthBarn USA, a national leader in healthy lifestyle education for children and families; and Ron Mirante, founder of Bone In LLC, headquartered in Hillsborough, which is a food delivery service focused on small, local farmers using the most sustainable and regenerative farming practices, and currently serves 15 New Jersey counties, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.
The United Nations in New York City will host the student case study competition on Day 2, broadcast to a worldwide audience on UN WebTV. Student teams selected from an international pool of applicants will compete for a $10,000 team prize by developing and presenting a proposed solution supporting the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, focused on “Good Health and Well-Being,” which is one of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals established in 2015.
Colleges that are competing include two teams each from Felician University and Italy’s John Cabot University, and one team each from Italy’s University of Pisa and New York’s St. Thomas Aquinas College.
