Speaking Engagements

We like to talk. Fortunately for us, there is a lot to say. SVT Group speaks at conferences and events across the globe. Check here regularly to find out where we will be.

If you are coordinating an event and would like us to speak or be involved in some way, contact us and give us the details.

Upcoming Speaking Events

: : 4th Annual Haas Women in Leadership Dinner

April 17, 2008

Claremont Hotel. Berkeley, CA

Sara Olsen will be speaking April 17 at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley at the 4th Annual Haas Women in Leadership Dinner. Registration for this event is now closed; for questions, please contact Selina Harrington at 510-643-5106 or via email.

: : Faith-Based Investors' Forum

February 27-28, 2008

New York City

SVT's Sara Olsen will be speaking at this unique conference designed to further values-based investing. "This is the timely and well-designed conference in the world of responsible investors that focuses on aligning your investments with your values. This conference is designed to help you to recognize a range of investment vehicles in the faith community can generate profits consistent with your Mission and priorities." For more information, click here.

Recent Speaking Events

: : Sierra Gorda and SVT Panel Discussion, Hosted by Salesforce.com

Putting a price on poverty and the planet: The new voluntary market for poverty alleviation and environmental services

Two emerging trends in the social capital marketplace are Social and Environmental Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis and the markets for Environmental Services, which build on carbon credit markets. Do these trends create tremendous opportunity, or hamstring progress?

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is the world's leading laboratory for both trends, and has been grappling with the driving question: how can we compensate the residents of watersheds, forests and jungles for the ecosystem services that they provide and protect? Sierra Gorda has transacted one of the first trades of carbon offsets plus ecosystem services at $15/ton: a premium of $5/ton over carbon alone. Their ambition is to add a super premium product of carbon + ecosystem services + verified poverty alleviation.

Join us for a lively discussion about how the emerging market for this value might harness market forces to improve life.

Requested fee: $10 in advance or $15 at the door

Panelists: Martha "Pati" Ruiz Corzo, Director of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve; Ricardo Bayon, Director, Editor-in-Chief of the Ecosystem Marketplace; Samjhana Upadhyay of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public's Global Fellowship; Sara Olsen, Founding Partner, SVT Group; and a corporate representative TBD.

: : IDEO: "Know How Talk"

May 24, 2007

What’s HIP? Human Impact + Profit

When designing a product, how should the ultimate impact be calculated? Does it improve quality of life for the user? Will it increase income or save money? What quantity of natural resources will be extracted—or saved—by deploying it? Do all segments of society have access? A product’s value in terms of these aspects, summed up by Health, Wealth, Earth and Equality, can be quantified and the relationship of these aspects to profitability can be measured. How does your latest product design shape up?

Co-creators Sara Olsen and Brett Galimidi of SVT Group and Paul Herman of HIP Investor Inc. will discuss their innovative approach, called "HIP": Human Impact + Profit. The HIP framework helps companies measure, manage and communicate their social and environmental impact strategically and affordably. HIP is rethinking how revolutionizing impact management can improve society and the planet.