We hosted more than 40 corporate innovators in New Orleans last week to share strategies for driving sustainability and innovation. During the event, held at Entergy’s KeyString Labs facility, we heard from speakers representing Entergy, Tulane University, the Morial Convention Center, Ochsner Health, Dillard University, and more as they discussed working toward sustainability and net-zero goals inside large organizations; corporate venture capital; the state of the startup ecosystem in New Orleans; the region’s strengths and challenges; and more. Thanks to the KeyString Labs team for hosting, and to all our speakers and participants!
Participants also got a look into InnoLead’s recent data on sustainability and ESG initiatives.
The day kicked off with networking, King Cakes, and coffee from the Petite Rouge mobile espresso bar.
Jason Ferguson of Tulane talks with Amy Quirk of Ochsner Ventures.
InnoLead CEO Scott Kirsner meets Sandra Diggs-Miller of Entergy during a kick-off activity.
Josh Fleig of Greater New Orleans, Inc. adds Post-it Notes to the wall.
Entergy Chief Customer Officer David Ellis talks with Pierre Connor of the Tulane Energy Institute.
Dillard University President Rochelle Ford with Kimberly Gramm, Chief Innovation & Entreprenership Officer at Tulane.
Participants talk about their goals for the day.
Participants proposed lunch discussion topics, including this one on communication and engagement strategies for corporate innovators.
John Weiss, VP of Sustainability and Environmental Policy at Entergy.
Kelli Zohar-Davis, Linda Baynham, and Tim Tumminello of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Participants listen to a roundtable discussion on the New Orleans ecosystem.
Chris Hayden of Rheem prevailed over Linda Baynham of the Morial Convention Center in an intense rock-paper-scissors competition that involved everyone.
Scott Kirsner of InnoLead with Michael Cross of Entergy’s KeyString Labs.
Liz Maxwell of The Idea Village with Jeffrey Philip of Biogen.
Matthew Martin of Pod Pack with Jessica Dandrige of the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans.
The event team (from left): Djuana Stoakley, Michael Cross, Nathalie Perozo, Kristen Krasinskas, Mr. Eddie, Scott Kirsner, and Aaliyah Shareef.
Photos by Glade Bilby.
