Speaker Friday, May 17, 2024
The Green Hills Rotary Club is honored to welcome Jeff Gowdy, Adjunct Professor of Management at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, as the guest speaker at our upcoming meeting on Wednesday, May 17th at 7:15 AM. He is a globally recognized thought leader and practitioner in this field of sustainable business practices.
During the meeting, Gowdy will demonstrate how organizations can leverage sustainable practices to drive success and profit.
For over two decades, Gowdy has played a pivotal role in shaping the sustainability landscape, serving on hundreds of projects for some of the world’s largest companies, including Home Depot, Verizon, Bridgestone, and Coca-Cola. His firm, J. Gowdy Consulting, has garnered multiple accolades for its innovative work, further solidifying his position as a pioneer in this domain.
Notably, Gowdy’s impact extends beyond his consulting endeavors. He has played a crucial role in the launch of groundbreaking corporate sustainability initiatives, such as GE’s Ecoimagination and Walmart’s Sustainability Value Networks, which are widely regarded as the first two landmark initiatives in the United States.
Gowdy’s leadership and influence in the sustainability sphere are widely recognized. He serves on the Technical Advisory Group for the CDP Science Based Targets project, the Sustainability Context group, and the GreenBiz Intelligence Panel. Additionally, he has been a frequent speaker at prestigious events organized by the UN Environment Programme, World Resources Institute, and the UN Global Compact.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gowdy is an avid backpacker who has hiked a substantial portion of the Appalachian Trail, reflecting his deep appreciation for the natural world and its preservation.
This meeting presents a unique opportunity for attendees to gain invaluable insights from Gowdy’s expertise and explore the potential of sustainable business practices.
Recent and Future Speakers
| 2/20/26 | Bill Bellet, Legacy Consulting Group — Psychology of Marriage | ||
| 2/27/26 | Dean Koch, Nashville School of Law — Rule of Law | ||
| 3/6/26 | East Bank Development Group — Latest News & Information | ||
| 3/13/26 | Elaine Whitney, Founder, One Generation Away Everyone in America should have access to healthy food. | ||
| 3/20/26 | Liz McLauren, Land Trust for Tennessee Role of the Trust, Land/Properties Involved, Future | ||
| 3/27/26 | No Meeting | ||
| 4/3/26 | No Meeting – Good Friday | ||
| 4/10/26 | Steve Bland, CEO WEGO Public Transit |