Presentations & Symposia

An inspiration to groups, the Sustainability Leadership Institute offers multi-media, thought-provoking presentations and symposia which awaken people to critical sustainability issues facing our communities and world.   These learning experiences are designed to inspire AH HA insights and provide knowledge to help participants develop a conscious leadership presence.

Selected Examples

Sustainability Leadership in the World of Environmental Health
National Environmental Health Association
Annual Educational Conference
Speaker and Panelist: Mary Ferdig, PhD
June 2010
Albuquerque, NM

The world cries out for conscious stewardship of natural, human and economic resources as environmental health professional advance the goal of providing a healthy environment for citizens. Ferdig provided a lively multi-media exploration of holistic sustainability thinking and action related to the environmental health agenda that triggered spontaneous audience participation in a spirited exchange of ideas.

Coming soon: a video posting of Dr. Ferdig’s Albuquerque presentation.

"I learned a lot. Had never stopped to think about the extent to which each of us is responsible for transforming attitudes and actions needed to move toward a healthy, sustainable environment – locally and globally. Whether it’s written in our job descriptions or not!"

Audience Member

Sustainability Awareness Symposium
Awakening the Dreamer; Changing the Dream
Lead Facilitator: Mary Ferdig, PhD
April 2009
Omaha, NE

Members of the Omaha community came together at the Unity Church of Omaha with concern for the planet and a desire to work toward a sustainable future. The purpose was to awaken awareness in others to the urgent need to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling human presence on the planet. The Symposium attracted over 150 people from the Greater Omaha area.

Mary Ferdig, PhD is a certified facilitator of the Pachamama Alliance "Awakening the Dreamer" initiative.

"The future of our society requires that our interdependent stories lead to a world that works for all. Mary’s knowledge and probing questions drew participants into the discussion and gave them a larger perspective."

Barry Vennard
Pastor
Unity Church of Omaha

Sustainable Enterprise Conference
Dana College
Keynote Speaker: Mary Ferdig, PhD
March 2009
Blair, NE

An opening keynote address – What is Sustainability? Why does it Matter? – was presented to an audience of business entrepreneurs, community leaders, students, faculty, university officials, and local citizens. Listeners were informed, challenged and inspired as they learned about holistic sustainability, experienced the passion of the speaker, and expanded their views of themselves in the world.

"Thank you for waking me up to what is going on in the world! Your passion inspires me. Now I must get to work."

Audience Member