Eller Partnerships Office Hosts Second Annual Symposium for Consortium for Environmentally Resilient Business
The Eller Partnerships Office at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management hosted the 2nd annual Symposium for Consortium for Environmentally Resilient Business (CERB) at the University of Arizona Scottsdale Center, convening a diverse group of business leaders, academics, and policymakers to explore how collaboration can advance environmental resilience.
This year’s theme, “Business, Climate, and Resilience: Translating Research into Action,” centered on fostering understanding between industries, researchers, and public institutions to address the complex challenges of climate risk and sustainability. The event highlighted the need for shared knowledge and coordinated action as organizations adapt to a changing environmental and regulatory landscape.
David Molitor, panelist and Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, shared, “I was very impressed by the set of attendees the symposium brought together — I learned a lot.” Penny Liao, panelist and Economist and Fellow at Resources for the Future, echoed this sentiment, noting that “the panel discussion was very engaging and interesting.”
The symposium featured three in-depth panel discussions designed to illuminate the perspectives and constraints each sector faces — and identify practical paths forward. The morning session, “Evolving Roles of Insurance in Climate Resilience,” featured Kelly Hereid, Head of Catastrophe R&D at Liberty Mutual, Penny Liao, Economist and Fellow at Resources for the Future and Charlie Sidoti, Executive Director at Innsure. To explore how insurers, businesses, and regulators can respond to the growing frequency of extreme weather events while balancing coverage, pricing, and policy needs.
The afternoon session, “Measuring Vulnerability to Climate Risks,” brought together Judsen Brugul, Vice President of Climate Resilience at ICF, Dr. Katharyn Duffy, Senior Scientist at Vibrant Planet, and Nancy Freitas, Postdoctoral Researcher at Eagle Rock Analytics in a discussion examining how regulators, investors, and firms can better assess and document exposure to environmental risks, as well as strategies to reduce vulnerability.
The final panel, “Air Quality, Compliance, and Environmental Hazards,” featured Steve Burr Executive Consultant at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Aaron Blawn, Consultant and Retiree from Intel, and David Molitor, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois to discuss how shifting conditions — from electrification to increased wildfire activity — are redefining air quality standards and compliance responsibilities for both public and private organizations.
CERB was created in 2024, under the academic leadership of Professors Ashley Langer and Derek Lemoine, and includes membership of prominent utility companies in Arizona and California, such as Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power, Pacific Gas &Electric, and San Diego Gas and Electric. “I always learn a lot from lively, frank conversations and believe many participants felt the same way. In past years, the symposium has sparked research now underway through the consortium. We really appreciate our partners helping us to make this event a success.” states Derek Lemoine, Co-Director of CERB and Professor of Economics at Eller College of Management.
“The consortium embodies Eller’s mission to connect industry partners, faculty, and students in addressing complex business challenges through research and collaboration for the benefit of the industry and public policy,” said Anastasiya Ghosh, Associate Dean of Partnerships.