The What’s Next Lecture Series continues its five part Innovation program with a look at “Innovations in Energy: New Sources, Crucial Savings, and How We’ll Finance It” on April 28, 2010 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.  The panel will feature  Dr. James L. Sweeney, Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency at Stanford University,  Stephen DeBerry (invited), Chief Investment Officer at Kapor Enterprises and formerly of the Omidyar Network, and Daniel Shugar (invited), CEO of Solaria Corporation.  Paul Rogers, managing editor of KQED and the Natural Resources & Environment Writer at the San Jose Mercury News, will moderate the panel as it explores innovations in energy production, conservation and finance.

The series is a collaboration between UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz.  Future topics in the year-long series will feature topics that include The New Workplace, Innovation in Research & Development, and Gaming & Social Media.

The What’s Next Lecture Series is kicking off its five part Innovation program with a look at “Sustainability and Social Innovation: Doing Well by Doing Good,” on February 18, 2010 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.  The panel will feature Peter Meehan, CEO of Newman’s Own Organics, KoAnn Skrzyniarz, CEO of Sustainable Life Media, and Thomas W. Van Dyck, CIMA; Senior Vice President, Socially Responsible Investing at RBC Wealth Management.   Sandy Skees, CEO of Communications4Good, will moderate the panel as it explores trends and success factors in companies with a social and environmental mission.

These outstanding speakers will provide the audience with current thinking, best practices and trends in sustainability and social innovation, examining how brands and the media are framing this business shift.  Topics will include an exploration of how businesses are responding to the social, environmental and economic challenges of today’s world with innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The series is new collaboration between UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz.  Future topics in the year-long series will feature topics that include Energy, The New Workplace, Innovation in Research & Development, and Gaming & Social Media.