Session III
Sustainability & Human Wellbeing: How businesses can advance a culture of health
Nov. 12th 2020
Speakers:
JOHN D. SPENGLER & WENDY M. PURCELL | HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Abdurahman Alsum | Founder of the MENA Sustainable Development
MODERATOR: Holley Chant
Principle Consultant - Built Environment at Aeon Strategy
Dr. John D. Spengler and Dr. Wendy M. Purcell will share their argument on the business opportunity that the Sustainable Development Goals present and introduce Harvard’s Culture of Health framework. Together they set an agenda for corporations, positioning sustainability as a business leadership imperative.
Sustainability is “…development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainable development deals with environmental issues as well as economic, social and cultural matters. Given the increased demands being placed on societies and our planet, from increased urbanization, migration and industrialization alongside the depletion of non-renewable resources, concerted and global actions are required to create a more sustainable future.
Deeper Dive
Dr. John D. Spengler | Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Harvard SPH
Dr. Spengler is the Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and a faculty member in the Harvard Department of Environmental Science and Public Policy. Dr. Spengler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science in environmental health sciences, Harvard University, Master of Science from the Harvard School of Public Health, and PhD in Atmospheric Sciences, University at Albany, SUNY. He chaired the committee on Harvard Sustainability Principles, served on Harvard's Greenhouse Gases Taskforce to develop the university's carbon reduction goals and strategies. He has been an advisor to the World Health Organization on indoor air pollution, personal exposure, and air pollution epidemiology. In 2003, Spengler received the 9th Annual Heinz Award for outstanding contributions to research related to the environment.
Moderator: Holley Chant
Principle Consultant - Built Environment at Aeon Strategy. She is delighted to be working in the Kingdom collaborating with other sustainability professionals facilitating the 2030 Vision of achieving environmental sustainability. Holley has spent 20 years leading sustainability projects that span governmental and commercial zones; including world-class sporting facilities; retail and luxury properties; schools, hospitals, hotels and housing developments; green roads, bridges and tunnels; corporate and municipal buildings; museums, zoos, and outdoor public amenities. She blends a strong sense of mission for innovation with commercial pragmatism.
Dr. Wendy M. Purcell PhD FRSA | Faculty Research Scholar in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Wendy is a Faculty research scholar at the Center for Health and the Global Environment. A bioscientist and former President Vice-Chancellor of a UK university (2007-2015), Wendy is a Council member of the United Nations University and holds director roles with UK charities, including the National Marine Aquarium and Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges. She is Chair of the Council for Healthcare Scientists and supports Foresight programs for the Government Office for Science.
Abdurahman Alsum
Abdurahman has over 16 years of experience in the domain of Sustainable development with engineering and industrial background. He worked in different international and national companies of different sizes and fields. He participated in developing strategies and leading strategic initiatives for corporates, grant-making foundations and charitable organizations.
Lately worked at the capacity of Director, Sustainability in Saudi Arabian Mining company (Ma’aden) with a mission to go beyond environmental compliance, maintain the social license to grow and embed the wider stakeholder approach. He also worked in different sectors such as chemical and aerospace.
He is the author of a book titled “Sustainability Paradox, The Way Out”, available on Amazon, and the founder of the MENA Sustainable Development website.