Save the Date: The 6th Annual Climate Summit

September 9, 2025 | Lansing, MI

The Michigan Climate Summit is our keystone event that brings together advocates, activists, and the general public to discuss policy, further solutions, and inspire people to act on behalf of the climate. We are proud to organize signature annual gatherings to keep the movement strong in Michigan. Browse all our past summits below.

2024 Michigan Climate Summit

September 25, 2024 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

2024 Michigan Climate Summit photo collage

2024 Michigan Climate Summit graphic

The 2024 Michigan Climate Summit, held in September 2024 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in association with the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, was an in-person gathering dedicated to exploring the intersections of civic engagement, social justice, and climate action under the theme of Climate Civics. The event featured inspiring programming aimed at addressing the intertwined crises of democracy and climate justice, empowering attendees to become lifelong climate voters, and providing actionable ways to serve their communities.

Keynote speakers included Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who highlighted the importance of free and fair elections ahead of November’s critical ballot, and environmentalist and author Bill McKibben, whose closing address at Rackham Auditorium reflected his unparalleled influence on the fight for a livable planet. McKibben’s longstanding connection to Michigan includes his foundational role in the Oil & Water Don’t Mix campaign.

The Summit was designed to educate, inspire, and uplift attendees while fostering inclusivity and providing accommodations to ensure access for all participants. It served as a critical platform for community members to connect, learn, and take action for climate and democracy.

Download Program

2024 MICHIGAN CLIMATE SUMMIT SCHEDULE

• MICHIGAN CLIMATE SUMMIT BEGINS •

Thursday, September 26, 2024

ART BUILD - NEST FOR OUR COMMON FUTURE • Ingalls Mall (tented)

SPONSOR ORGANIZATION TABLING • Ingalls Mall (tented)

Tabling Instructions, Organization List & Map

EARTH FEST STUDENT GROUP TABLING • The Diag

CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION TABLE • Rackham Lobby

Also an Info-Only Station in the Michigan Union Lobby

BREAKFAST/REGISTRATION OPEN • Rackham Lobby

WELCOME: HOSTED BY MiCAN and UM • Rackham Auditorium

Dr. Denise Keele
MiCAN Executive Director
Bio

Colleen Ludwig
MiCAN Artistic Director and Associate Professor of Art at Oakland University
Bio

Liesl Clark
UM Director of Sustainable Climate Action Engagement
Bio

Shalanda Baker
University of Michigan Vice Provost for Sustainability & Climate Action
Bio

Dr. Jonathan Overpeck
Samuel A. Graham Dean; William B. Stapp Collegiate Professor of Environmental Education; Professor, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering; Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Bio

Dr. Jenna Bednar
UMICH Votes & Democratic Engagement Faculty Director, Year of Democracy initiative Co-Chair
Bio

KEYNOTE • Rackham Auditorium

Followed by an Election Integrity Panel Discussion

Jocelyn Benson
Michigan Secretary of State
Bio

Melanie Ryska
Sterling Heights City Clerk, 2020 Clerk of the Year, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) President

Jackie Beaudry
Ann Arbor City Clerk, 2019 Clerk of the Year, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) Immediate Past President

NETWORKING BREAK • Rackham Lobby

Art & Tabling @ Ingalls Mall. Refreshments in the Rackham Lobby

GETTING OUT THE CLIMATE VOTE • Rackham Auditorium

Making Your Voice Heard Through Climate Voter Campaigns

Dr. Denise Keele (Moderator)
MiCAN Executive Director
Bio

Maurielle Courtois
Turn Up Turnout Co-President, UM Rising Senior Political Science Student
Bio

Janet Zahn
Co-Chair Grand Rapids Climate Coalition
Bio

Marwan Mikdadi
Citizens Climate Lobby Higher Ed and Youth Action Teams
Bio

Lisa DelBuono
Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action President & Founder
Bio

Sandra Sorini Elser
League of Women Voters Michigan Environmental Network Chair
Bio

BUILDING UNUSUALLY EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGNS • Kuenzel Rm @ Union 1st Fl

Ellen Vial (Moderator)
Michigan Environmental Council Detroit Program Manager
Bio

Conan Smith
Michigan Environmental Council President & CEO
Bio

Jamie Lyons-Eddy
Voters Not Politicians & Voters Not Politicians Education Fund Executive Director
Bio

Selma Tucker
Michigan Environmental Council At-Large Member, GSO Solutions Principal
Bio

Jeff Jones
Third Act
Bio

WAYS TO SUSTAIN: ROOTS THAT RUN DEEP • Pendelton Rm @ Union 2nd Fl

Sustaining Advocates

Bryan Smigielski (Moderator)
Sierra Club Detroit Field Organizer

Dr. Laura Carter Robinson
Humanity&Planet, LLC Founder, Clinical Psychologist
Bio

Laura Schmidt
Good Grief Network Founding Director
Bio

Marnese Jackson
Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition Executive Director
Bio

Jack MacQuaig
Michigan State Sunrise Movement

MONEY ON THE TABLE • Anderson ABCD @ Union 1st Fl

What the Inflation Reduction Act Can Do for You (and the Climate)

Bentley Johnson (Moderator)
Michigan League of Convervation Voters Federal Government Affairs Director
Bio

Dan Utech
Environmental Protection Agency Chief of Staff
Bio

Kara Cook
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Chief Climate and Energy Strategist
Bio

Dr. Missy Stults
City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability & Innovations Director
Bio

Jenna Warmuth
Rewiring America Sr. Manager Midwest Regional Policy
Bio

Tim Skrotzki
Elevate Associate Director of Partnerships
Bio

HOW TO: ROADMAP TO PUBLIC POWER • Wolverine Rm @ Union 3rd Fl

Dr. Mike Shriberg
UM Practice & Engagement Professor, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) & Michigan Sea Grant (MISG) Director of Engagement
Bio

Andy Buchsbaum
UM Law School Lecturer, Former National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Conservation Partnerships Vice President, Former NWF Great Lakes Office & Action Fund Director
Bio

Eneida Hysi
Dane County Wisconsin Office of Energy and Climate Change Community Energy Fellow
Bio

LUNCH • Rogel Ballroom @ Union

Networking. Plus Art, Tabling @ Ingalls Mall

INSPIRING MUSIC FOR ACTIVISTS • The Diag

Musical Performances by Seth Bernard & Friends

Seth Bernard
Vocals, Guitar
Bio

Amber Hasan
Vocals, Spoken Word
Bio

Patrick Booth
Saxophone
Bio

Fred Bueltmann
Sousaphone
Bio

Dan Rickabus
Drums, Vocals
Bio

THE FOURTH ESTATE • Rackham Auditorium

The Role of Media in Climate Democracy

Nina Ignaczak (Moderator)
Planet Detroit Founder, Publisher, Editor
Bio

Sarah Cwiek
Michigan Public
Bio

Jena Brooker
BridgeDetroit
Bio

Sheri McWhirter
MLive
Bio

Rukiya Colvin
Freelance Journalist
Bio

Lisa John Rogers
Great Lakes Now
Bio

WAYS TO ENGAGE: AIR PERMITTING PROCESS • Kuenzel Rm @ Union 1st Fl

Regina Strong (Moderator)
EGLE Environmental Justice Public Advocate
Bio

Randy Dykhuis
Capital Area Friends of the Environment (CAFE) Board President
Bio

Nick Leonard
Great Lakes Environmental Law Center Executive Director
Bio

Darren Riley
JustAir Solutions CEO & Co-Founder
Bio

Rep. Abraham Aiyash
Majority Floor Leader, 9th House District
Bio

JUST WORKFORCE TRANSITION • Pendelton Rm @ Union 2nd Fl

Liesl Clark (Moderator)
UM Sustainable Climate Action Engagement Director
Bio

Derrick Meeking
Walker-Miller Energy Services Director of Workforce Development
Bio

Joe Lange
City of Ann Arbor Energy Analyst
Bio

Glenn Stevens Jr.
MichAuto Executive Director; Detroit Regional Chamber Vice President Automotive and Mobility Initiatives
Bio

Jennifer Mefford
MUST Workforce Consultant
Bio

Frank Houston
BlueGreen Alliance MI Senior State Policy Manager
Bio

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES • Anderson ABCD @ Union 1st Fl

The Fight for Energy Democracy and Resilient, Localized Power

Michelle Martinez (Moderator)
SEAS Lecturer and Inaugural Director of the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment
Bio

Greg Woodring
Ann Arbor for Public Power Board President
Bio

Sergio Cira-Reyes
Urban Core Collective Climate Justice Catalyst
Bio

Rafael Mojica
Soulardarity Program Director
Bio

Liz Jacob
Sugar Law Center Skadden Fellow: Energy Insecurity Coordinator
Bio

Kamau Clark
We The People Southeast MI Lead Organizer
Bio

HOW TO: STORYTELLING WORKSHOP • Wolverine Rm @ Union 3rd Fl

Kabie Stein (Moderator)
Here:Say Creative Director & Producer
Bio

NETWORKING BREAK • Rackham Lobby

Art & Tabling @ Ingalls Mall. Refreshments in the Rackham Lobby

COLLEGE VOICES FOR CLIMATE ACTION • Rackham Auditorium

Beatrice Kaskie (Moderator)
Rising Junior at University of Michigan in the College of Literature, Science, and Arts; Representing Turn Up Turnout (TUT)
Bio

Dani Kasper
Sophomore at University of Michigan, PitE Major with specialization in Environmental Justice & Activism, Community Action and Social Change Minor, President Elect of UM Sierra Club Chapter

Ethan Devereaux
Senior at University of Michigan, PitE Major, Energy Sciences Minor, Students for Clean Energy Policy Chair

Mia Breznau
Freshman at Western Michigan University, Enviro Geology & Sustainability Major, 2023 Youth Climate Leader of the Year, Former MiCAN Influencer, Current Climate Voting Intern at WMU, National Youth for the Climate Emergency (NYCE) Founder

Andrew van Baal
Accelerated Master's Student (4+1) at UM-SEAS, Energy Equity Project Energy Justice Research Assistant, Student Sustainability Coalition Co-President
Bio

A PEOPLE POWERED CAMPAIGN • Kuenzel Rm @ Union 1st Fl

For Public Power in Michigan

Ebony Elmore
Organizing Manager at Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Bio

Xandr Brown
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Communications Associate
Bio

Ruta Hailu
Freshman at University of Michigan in the College of Language, Science, Sociology; PitE Major, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Clinic Advocate & Campaign Volunteer
Bio