Sustainability in Business Conference Reaches Record Attendance Numbers In Its Fifth Year

The fifth annual Sustainability in Business Conference (SIBC) event, led by the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC), brings together industry leaders, students, faculty and mission-driven organizations to engage in conversations on the state of sustainability and how the industry can move from ambition to action. This year, more than 120 attendees came together at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on September 19, 2025, for a day of impactful conversations about how business can advance sustainability and drive change through bold leadership.

“SIBC gives students the chance to see how sustainability is shaping the future of business,” said Eileen Chen ’26, project management lead at CSVC. “From learning directly with leaders in the field to sparking new ideas with peers, the conference shows that the next generation has a real role in driving change.”

Distinguished speakers covered topics such as food in sustainability, impact investing and sustainable finance, and fashion in sustainability.

Speaker and alumna Margaret Rogers, ENGR ’97, CMNS ’00, CEO of Pariveda, said, “Often people talk about purpose or profit. What I want you to think about is purpose and profit.”

“That was one of the things that stuck with me,” said attendee Alexandria Mccary, MBA ’26, a student in the Flex MBA program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business's Shady Grove Campus, referencing the idea of how purpose and profit go together.

Karen Feinberg of Feinberg Consulting said that the topics covered by the speakers continued to “affirm my own approach.” Feinberg traveled from Boston to attend the event. “It helps me to keep understanding different educational systems, approaches to business and approaches to social impact.” One of the sessions Feinberg attended featured speaker and alumnus Andy Shalal, MBA ’19. Feinberg said Shalal was “a force for good. I wouldn’t have been exposed to him had I not come to this conference.”  

Hearing from industry professionals made an impact on Anthony Prestipino, MS in Supply Chain Management ’26. “I learned about a lot of things that are impacting the supply chain and how fashion contributes to our society,” he said after attending PoliticallyInFashion Founder Hilary Jochmans’ session on The Politics of Style: Why Fashion Needs a Seat at the Policy Table.

“This annual event allows us to connect our amazing students, alumni, and community leaders to showcase how we can create a better world through business,” said Nima Farshchi, CSVC director, executive director of the Office of Experiential Learning and lecturer in management and organization. “We look forward to having an event in the Spring focused on Employee Ownership and continuing to grow our relationships in the region!”