About The BSR Conference 2017
The Leading Event for Collaboration and Action on Sustainable Business
The BSR Conference is one of the most important annual gatherings dedicated to finding solutions to our most pressing global challenges. Every year, nearly 1,000 sustainable business experts from Fortune 500 companies, as well as leading foundations, nonprofit organizations, and government, gather for unparalleled networking experiences, powerful plenary addresses and breakout sessions, and interactive professional development opportunities.
Join us this October to be a part of innovative solutions to the world’s biggest sustainability challenges.
BSR Conference 2017 Theme
How Business Leads
It’s BSR’s 25th anniversary year, and profound change is shaping sustainable business.
Be Inspired
Spotlight on Speakers
Brad Smith
President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft
Brad Smith is Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer. In this role, Smith is responsible for the company’s corporate, external, and legal affairs. He leads a team of more than 1,300 business, legal, and corporate affairs professionals working in 55 countries. These teams are responsible for the company’s legal work, its intellectual property portfolio, patent licensing business, corporate philanthropy, government affairs, public policy, corporate governance, and social responsibility work. He is also Microsoft’s chief compliance officer. Smith plays a key role in representing the company externally and in leading the company’s work on a number of critical issues including privacy, security, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and digital inclusion, among others. Smith joined Microsoft in 1993, and before becoming general counsel in 2002, he spent three years leading the Legal and Corporate Affairs (LCA) team in Europe, then five years serving as the deputy general counsel responsible for LCA’s teams outside the United States.
Cecile Richards
President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Cecile Richards is a nationally respected leader in the field of women’s health and reproductive rights who leads a movement that has worked for more than 100 years to build a healthier and safer world for women and teens. Every year, approximately 650 Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers nationwide provide healthcare services to 2.5 million patients, and sex education and outreach to 1.5 million people. Since joining Planned Parenthood in 2006, Richards has expanded its advocacy for access to healthcare and ensured that Planned Parenthood played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare coverage and services for women under the Affordable Care Act. In 2011, she led an unprecedented nationwide campaign to preserve access to Planned Parenthood preventive care through federal programs. Under her leadership, the number of Planned Parenthood supporters has more than doubled, reaching 10 million. Previously, Richards served as deputy chief of staff for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Annie Griffiths
Photographer, National Geographic
Founder and Executive Director, Ripple Effect Images
Annie Griffiths
Photographer, National Geographic, Founder and Executive Director, Ripple Effect Images
One of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic, Annie Griffiths has photographed in nearly 150 countries during her illustrious career and has worked on dozens of magazine and book projects for National Geographic. Griffiths’ work has also appeared in Fortune, GEO, LIFE, Smithsonian, and Stern, among other publications. In addition to her magazine work, Griffiths is deeply committed to photographing for aid organizations around the world. She is the founder and executive director of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of photographers who document programs that empower women and girls in the developing world. Ripple has produced 26 films and built a photo library of more than 20,000 images since 2010. Using these assets, Ripple’s aid beneficiaries have raised more than 10 million U.S. dollars, expanded their programs to multiple countries, and proven that women and girls are the best investment the world can make in our shared future.
Why Attend
Connect with Global Business Leaders
Join an influential community of changemakers at more than 20 networking events over three days.
“A great group of people attend this conference—exactly the kind of people I want to meet and talk with … Definitely worth the time, effort, and money.”
Why Attend
Never Stop Learning
Get unrivaled access to more than 30 candid discussions offering practical solutions to build a better future.
“The quality of the content and the networking opportunities are the best I've seen in this field.”
Why Attend
Redefine Sustainable Business
A new approach and a new voice to build a better future.
“You are the sustainability conference. I always feel challenged and inspired.”