Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, is part of a delegation of chamber leaders invited to speak at two sessions of the Global Action Climate Summit in San Francisco Sept. 12-14. "Representing a community that is a leader in advancing innovation and clean energy, she will share Chattanooga’s achievements with a global audience," officials said.
“I'm honored to participate in this important gathering and proud to share Chattanooga’s accomplishments with the global business community,” Ms.
Gillenwater said. “I also look forward to bringing back information about how to ensure Chattanooga’s resilience in the face of extreme weather events and other natural disasters, and the leadership role the private sector is playing throughout the world."
The Global Climate Action Summit, organized in partnership with the United Nations, will bring together government officials, business leaders, investors and the philanthropy community from six continents to discuss clean energy, climate change, investment and economic development. The goal is to "demonstrate how the tide has turned in the race against climate change, showcase climate action taking place around the world and inspire deeper commitments from each other and from national governments."
Ms. Gillenwater will participate in two sessions to "highlight Chattanooga as a leading innovator on important economic development sectors, such as technology and clean energy." These are:
• The Business Case for Smart Climate Clean Energy Policy, 3-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Lyft headquarters; and
• Local Chamber CEOs: A View From Red & Purple States on Clean Energy, Resilience, Economic Development, 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Aquarium of the Bay.
Ms. Gillenwater has served as an advisory board member of Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, a network of 1,300 local chambers of commerce that share information about the economic development benefits of innovation and clean energy, and how to attract investments to communities.