GreaterThan Conference

Nearly 200 leaders, innovators and “doers” from all sectors gathered on the coast of Maine in July 2009 and made it very clear — the time is now to break down barriers and work together to make big things happen. As former Maine governor Angus King said, “We need an explosion of creative thinking to address problems so complex.” (and quoting Lincoln) “We are at an inflection point in history.”

“If I had to summarize the takeaway that came across most strongly for me, it was the need to re-conceptualize the underlying assumptions of economics and the way people think about change.” — (an academic leader)

“The need for collaboration between nonprofits, for-profits and governments to meet the complex sustainability challenge we face is just beginning to emerge from thought leadership to activation. Your work to facilitate this emergence through  greaterthan › is insightful and very much appreciated.” — (a senior corporate executive)

From the jam-packed opening day to the highly interactive closing session, the response from the new  greaterthan › community was incredibly supportive and reaffirming.

“Thank you very much for designing and assembling such an incredible event. This was a magical beginning to what I hope turns out to be a much anticipated, annual bonanza.” — (a nonprofit executive)

The work of “activating” the  greaterthan › community, to bring people and organizations together, to achieve critical, strategic goals has just begun. We have already received dozens of suggestions and inquiries about potential initiatives and opportunities for collaboration. In the days ahead, interactive features will be added to the  greaterthan › website to facilitate “community” and the sharing of your “GotWantHopePledge” input. And, many of the presentations and resources shared at  greaterthan › will be made available on this site. Thank you for making the inaugural  greaterthan › greater than we could have imagined.

 

Michael Brown
Co-Founder and CEO – City Year

Kyle Cahill
Director, Corporate Engagement – Environmental Defense Fund

Madeline Cantwell
Director of Development – The Orion Society

Billy Connelly
Director, Corporate Communications – NativeEnergy

Jay Coen Gilbert
Co-Founder – B Corporation

Robert Tice Lalka
Public-Private Partnerships Liaison – Global Partnership Center, U.S. Department of State

Laura Moon
Director, Social Enterprise Initiative – Harvard Business School

David Shaw
Managing Partner – Black Point Group

Rebecca Darr
Senior Fellow, Business & Society Program – Aspen Institute

Andrew Watt
President – Common Good Ventures