MIAMI STUDENTS - FEB 21, 2023 IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR SIW 2023!DON'T MISS OUT. SIGN UP TODAY!
SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEKEND 2023

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON OUR WORLD

MARCH 3-5
MIAMI UNIVERSITY - OXFORD, OH

Social Innovation Weekend (SIW) is a 48-hour-long, intensive, experiential workshop. Students form teams and work with key public and private stakeholder organizations at the state, county, and local city-level to ideate, test, develop, and pitch plans for companies, projects, or initiatives to address a pressing social or environmental problem.

SIW 2023 will focus on Climate Change and Its Effect on Our World

We can and should be pressing policy-makers and leaders at all levels to take the action necessary to face the climate crisis, but our efforts at SIW will focus on work that we can do to make a difference in shaping the future of our planet and everyone on it.

Have questions?  Check out our FAQ.

EVENT SCHEDULe coming soon!

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

4:00pm – Registration

4:00pm – Registration

Question – Answer

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023

4:00pm – Registration

4:00pm – Registration

Question – Answer

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2023

4:00pm – Registration

4:00pm – Registration

Question – Answer

ACADEMIC PARTNERS

SIW IS A PARTNERSHIP OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENTS, AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
FROM MULTIPLE UNIVERSITIES AND REPRESENTING A BROAD RANGE OF DISCIPLINES

PRIVATE, PUBLIC, & NONPROFIT PARTNERS

WE DEPEND ON THE EXPERTISE AND GUIDANCE OF A BROAD NETWORK OF PARTNERS
FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDUSTRY

Keynote & Panelists

Kevin Kushman

Kevin Kushman

CEO of Electrada
Karen S Bakies

Karen S Bakies

Vice President Nutrition Affairs American Dairy Association Mideast
Olivia Herron

Olivia Herron

Director of Sustainability for Miami University (MU 2020)
Susan Meikle

Susan Meikle

Co-Chair for MU Sustainability Committee
Jason Tincu

Jason Tincu

Director Green County Sanitary Engineering
Bonnie Buthker

Bonnie Buthker

District Chief at Ohio EPA
Mike Proffitt

Mike Proffitt

Assistant District Chief, Ohio EPA
Amanda Bentley Brymer

Amanda Bentley Brymer

Curator Silvoor Biological Sanctuary
Jonathan Levy

Jonathan Levy

Director of the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) and Associate Professor of Geology and Environmental Earth Science at Miami University
Andy Holzhauser

Andy Holzhauser

Cofounder and a Board Member of Electrada and a Partner in Donovan Energy

MENTORS

Jessica Ashe

Jessica Ashe

Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship - Miami University
Andrea Conger

Andrea Conger

Visiting Professor of Anthropology - St Olaf College
Kimberly Conger

Kimberly Conger

Associate Professor Educator, Director Masters in Public Administration - University of Cincinnati
Michael Conger

Michael Conger

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship - Miami University
Sharon Custer

Sharon Custer

Director of Workforce Development, Ohio's School-Based COE for Prevention and Early Intervention - Miami University
Jacque Daugherty

Jacque Daugherty

Associate Teaching Professor, Director Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation - Miami University
Scott Kenworthy

Scott Kenworthy

Professor of Comparative Religion - Miami University
Anna-Katherina Lenz

Anna-Katherina Lenz

Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship - Miami University
Nancy Parkinson

Nancy Parkinson

Associate Clinical Faculty, Kinesiology Nutrition and Health - Miami University
Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones

Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship - University of Tennessee
Cameron Hay Rollins

Cameron Hay Rollins

Professor and Chair, Anthropology and Global Health Studies - Miami University
Brett Smith

Brett Smith

Professor of Entrepreneurship - Miami University
Chris Sutter

Chris Sutter

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship - Miami University
Suzanne Zazycki

Suzanne Zazycki

Associate Director, Institute for the Environment and Sustainability - Miami University
Ineke Hurkmans

Ineke Hurkmans

Founder of Jump Movement
Adrian R. Douen

Adrian R. Douen

President - The True Circular Economy Solutions
Dr. Matin Abdullah

Dr. Matin Abdullah

Professor of Entrepreneurship at BRAC University
Dr. Katie Feilen

Dr. Katie Feilen

Assistant Teaching Professor Department of Biology
Connie O'Conner

Connie O'Conner

Director of Applied Learning of Cincinnati Nature Center
Dr. Jeff Corney

Dr. Jeff Corney

Executive Director of Cincinnati Nature Center
Tyeisha Cole

Tyeisha Cole

Climate Policy Coordinator
Jonathan Adee

Jonathan Adee

Executive Director Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
David Eyman

David Eyman

Associate Lecturer of Entrepreneurship and Creativity
Erica Middleton

Erica Middleton

Startup Support Coordinator for Cintrifuse
Courtney Lopez

Courtney Lopez

Wildlife Refuge Specialist at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Dr. Leah Wasburn-Moses

Dr. Leah Wasburn-Moses

Professor in Teacher Education at Miami University
Antony Seppi

Antony Seppi

Vice President of Alloy Development Co's Growth Lab
Amy Sullivan

Amy Sullivan

Assistant Teaching Professor in Miami University’s Department of Biology and Board member for Three Valley Conservation Trust.
Jonnie Taylor

Jonnie Taylor

Growth Manager for LaTerza Artisinal Coffee Roasterie
Steven Sullivan

Steven Sullivan

Director of the Hefner Museum of Natural History
Lisa Kuhn

Lisa Kuhn

Director of Digital Platforms and Strategy for Crossroads Church
Justin McGlothin

Justin McGlothin

Assistant Teaching Professor in the Farmer School of Business and President of Higher Ed Media LLC(HEM)
John H Thomas

John H Thomas

Vice President of Environmental and Safety Solutions, Inc, Vice President of Guardian Staffing Solutions LLC, and President of the Building Environment Council of Ohio
Sydney Ginley

Sydney Ginley

Marketing Associate for Kolar Design
Tim Holcomb

Tim Holcomb

Professor | Founder | Board Director | Startup Advisor | Venture Investor | Chair, Department of Entrepreneurship | Director, John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship
Greg Dern

Greg Dern

Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Brenda Homan

Brenda Homan

Business Coach, Human Innovator, Career Developer
Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson

Instructor of creativity, marketing, and business innovation.
Mark Lacker

Mark Lacker

Head of the Startup Track in Miami's Institute for Entrepreneurship and also oversees the Altman Internship program
Amanda Lawson

Amanda Lawson

Facilitate, Connect, Develop; L.I.F.E. (Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship)
Rob Miller

Rob Miller

Experienced Company Founder and Investor four-time startup company founder, three-time co-founder, and investor in multiple startup and growth companies
Theresa Sedlack

Theresa Sedlack

Entrepreneurship Educator
Beth Troy

Beth Troy

Author & Entrepreneurship Instructor at Miami Universtiy and teaches courses in women and entrepreneurship and creativity
Jack Weston

Jack Weston

CFO/COO at Lighthouse, Partner/CFO at Hickory Wald
Geoff Zoeckler

Geoff Zoeckler

Defender of Creativity | Front End of Innovation Guru |
Andre Farinazo

Andre Farinazo

Co-Founder at Virra, marketing at Electrada, and Director of Marketing for Miami university Social Impact Fund
Cody Powell

Cody Powell

Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations at Miami University
Dan Gladish

Dan Gladish

Professor in Miami University’s Department of Biology. His most recent publication, about Algae to Angiosperms, was published in Applications in Plant Sciences in 2021
Levi Grimm

Levi Grimm

Executive Director at JEE Foods. JEE Foods supplies food that would otherwise go to waste to over 100 nonprofits across three states
Marissa Wilbur

Marissa Wilbur

Currently a full time associate at the Garage Group, a Cincinnati based consulting firm that specializes in creativity and innovation.
Monique Russell

Monique Russell

Works with business professionals who seek to improve their communication and leadership skills within functioning teams
Nathan Minns

Nathan Minns

Improv Comedy as a Tool for Innovators - Developing innovators' entrepreneurship & communication skills | Founder and Facilitator at Green Light Improv
Renna Murphy

Renna Murphy

Environmental Science Graduate Student with a concentration in Water Resource Management
Sacha Bellman

Sacha Bellman

Miami University journalism faculty member and student media business adviser
Sarah Jepson

Sarah Jepson

Environmental Science Concentration. She continued to earn a Master of Public Policy at University of Michigan while also working as a research assistant
Willis Jenkins

Willis Jenkins

Professor of Religious Studies and Chair, Department of Religious Studies at University of Virginia
Carlton Collins

Carlton Collins

Helps educators, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit professionals strategize on how to make the greatest service impact. He is a Founding Program Manager for Literacy Lab and the Chief Education Officer for Educ8theWorld
Stefania Porcelli

Stefania Porcelli

Research focuses on the intersections between literature, emotions, history, and environmental studies. Her teaching interests include cultural heritage and identity, language and culture, food cultures, environmental issues, and sustainability
Buchanan Kerswell

Buchanan Kerswell

works on geoscience problems using computational, laboratory, and field-based methods
Caroline Cain

Caroline Cain

Works closely with the Environmental Education Manager and Community Engagement Coordinator at Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Ania Cosby

Ania Cosby

Manages the Safe & Clean Grants at Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Peggy Branstrator

Peggy Branstrator

Laboratory Coordinator at Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana and later Senior Lecturer in Biology. During her 30 years at IU East she taught various biology courses including Biology for Elementary Education, Earth Science for Elementary Education and several environmental science classes
Allison South

Allison South

Senior Analyst with Coho Climate Advisors, engaging with and supporting various types of clients in their transition to renewable energy and sustainable water solutions
Laura Randall-Tepe

Laura Randall-Tepe

Executive Director of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, a social impact accelerator located in Over-The-Rhine
Dan Remley

Dan Remley

teaching and research encompasses diabetes education, healthy food access, food ethics, and sustainability. He gives leadership to the National Dining with Diabetes Working Group and the OSU Extension Sustainability Team
Tobi Nagy

Tobi Nagy

co-founder and CEO of the Asia Venture Lab, a Singaporean-based startup Venture Studio that focuses on the rapid commercialization of sustainability technologies for corporations looking to improve their ESG outcomes
Jonathan Adee

Jonathan Adee

20-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, is a strong visionary leader whose focus is to continue the mission of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Ryan Gunderson

Ryan Gunderson

Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology and Affiliate of the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability at Miami University
Julie Alexander

Julie Alexander

Teaches BUS 102: Foundations of Business Communication in the First Year Integrated Core
Carla Blackmar

Carla Blackmar

BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University and a MA in City Planning from San Diego State University. Carla brings diverse communication, ecology, and design background to her work at the Hefner Museum of Natural History
Cody Powell

Cody Powell

Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations has been with Miami University since 1994
HRM King Edmund K Paki-Silva II

HRM King Edmund K Paki-Silva II

Devin Baldridge

Devin Baldridge

worked across a number of different brands and categories. In his previous career as Global Design Manager at Procter & Gamble, Devin led innovation and brand strategies in order to grow and deliver multiple national product launches
Dilge Dilsiz

Dilge Dilsiz

Turkish artist who works primarily in photography, design, mixed-media installation and new media
Keith L. Hohn

Keith L. Hohn

Department of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering at Miami in 2019 to serve as Professor and Chair
Megan Milar

Megan Milar

business experience ranging from corporate experience with P&G, to franchising with GNC, to launching three companies of her own, Megan is committed to building an inclusive and collaborative culture
Tom Bussen

Tom Bussen

Assistant Teaching Professor. He joined Human Capital Management & Leadership following numerous posts abroad
Sarah Dumyahn

Sarah Dumyahn

Assistant Teaching Professor in the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability
Beatrice Newberry

Beatrice Newberry

Change Consultant for TiER1 Performance, an employee-owned B Corp HQ'ed in Covington, Kentucky. Her undergraduate experience was with American Studies and Social Entrepreneurship, which traversed the spheres of civic engagement, journalism, and education
Sara Ernst

Sara Ernst

Information Specialist at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition to this, she has extensive experience as an EPA Science Communications Specialist
Michael Proffitt

Michael Proffitt

Miami Alumni with a bachelor’s in geology. He has held multiple positions at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and has worked as the Program Chief of the Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization
Rachel Fadden

Rachel Fadden

18 years of combined health care experience as a social worker and a nurse. She has worked in the emergency room setting as well as inpatient behavioral health and as a perinatal bereavement coordinator
Chip Mcgregor

Chip Mcgregor

Fourth-generation rancher and former Army Ranger who is concerned with animal welfare and industrialized agriculture
Rhiannon Hoeweler

Rhiannon Hoeweler

master of environmental science degree from Miami University and a bachelor of science degree from the university of North Carolina - Asheville. She currently serves as the Director of Strategic Impact at MadTree Brewing
Cole Walter

Cole Walter

Impact-driven, futuristic-thinking, team-playing, and curious individual passionate about philosophy, economics, business, equality, and building a sustainable future
David Gaines

David Gaines

Author of the Book, "Radical Business: The Root of Your Work and How It Can Change the World". Chief Visionary and CEO of La Terza Coffee. Chairperson of the Board at Social Enterprise Alliance
Johnathan Woodruff

Johnathan Woodruff

Senior Product Manager - Kroger
Jeremy Faust

Jeremy Faust

Vice President, Director of Operational Sustainability at Fifth Third Bank
David Crowel

David Crowel

Strategic Account Executive at PaleoWest
Karen Meyers

Karen Meyers

Assistant Clinical Professor in Miami University’s Finance Department. Teaches Business Law and a Capstone Business, Law, and Ethics
Sarah Valasek

Sarah Valasek

Partner in Organizational Design and Transformation at The Ready

Frequently Asked Questions

... FROM STUDENTS

Do I have to stay the whole weekend? – Yes! The weekend runs from 4 pm Friday until noon on Sunday and you are expected to be there with your team each day.

How do swipe attendance work? – When you arrive each day, and once more on Saturday evening, you will swipe your physical Miami ID so we can mark you present. By showing up for all 4 swipes, you get your credit for the weekend.

Do I get to pick my team? – Not for Social Innovation Weekend. When you show up, we will already have teams assigned to you. This is because we will have students from all different majors and we want to equally match each teams up with various skillsets.

Do we have to come with an idea? – No! If you have something great in mind, you are more than welcome to come and pitch it to your team. But most people show up without an idea. This allows you and your team to ideate solutions to the problem and all be on the same page.

... FROM MENTORS

Where do I stay if I am traveling a long distance? – We have hotel rooms for you. Just let us know as soon as possible so we can get one booked for you. When you show up and check in at The Farmer School of Business, we will let you know where your room is so you can get checked in when the day is over. 

I don’t know if I will be much help… – I promise you will! Most of our students are entering this climate space for the first time and don’t have much experience with building a business. Any wisdom and experience you can give to them about what you’ve done and what you’ve learned will go a long way! Don’t be afraid to walk in to their rooms and ask them questions, I am sure they need the help! 

When will I get more logistical information? – After you sign up above, you will get an email a while after asking for some additional information from you. Once the weekend gets closer, you will get an itinerary and more information to help you be an amazing mentor!