Join us for a timely conversation with the co-founders of the Inclusive Economy Consortium, a multi-stakeholder network focused on creating a climate-smart inclusive economy. We will discuss roles each of us can play in acting collectively to create an economy that respects nature and works for all. We will also focus on specific actions entrepreneurs can take to adapt to and push through this era of COVID-19.
Here are some eye-opening statistics from the original Inclusive Economy Report. Dallas-Fort Worth ranks high, and in several recent studies at the top of the list, of non-inclusive urban economies. As the fourth largest economy in the nation, Dallas-Fort Worth is home to approximately 22 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, 300 large company headquarters, and a strong presence from both U.S. and international transnational corporations. At the same time, this tremendous economic influence is juxtaposed with poverty, inequality and significant environmental challenges.
Despite its prosperity, Dallas has the highest inequality and 3rd highest child poverty among major U.S. cities, along with rising working poverty. Poverty has increased by 42% during the past 15 years, according to the recent Resilient Dallas study, with racial and ethnic minorities and women being disproportionately affected. An increasing number of Dallas residents live in food deserts, which are often also infrastructure and transit deserts, with limited or no access to basic products and services.
As COVID-19 pushes all of these issues to the forefront—combined with the issue of racial inequities across our nation—a conversation on economic inclusion is long overdue. The time to connect, share and act is now!
MEET THE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Eva Szalkai Csaky is the Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity at SMU and the co-founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium. She has 25 years of global experience in the areas of sustainable food systems and fostering climate-smart inclusive economic solutions through innovation and social entrepreneurial approaches.
Her work leverages transformational technologies for high impact solutions; from energy efficiency, renewable energy and water purification to climate smart agriculture and sustainable and inclusive value chains. Financial and policy innovations are integral to all her efforts to ensure sustainability and systemic impact. Prior to the Hunt Institute, Dr. Csaky worked for 18 years at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, where she developed innovative programs and financial mechanisms to empower small businesses, farmers and low-income households.
Dr. Csaky has served as an advisor to the G20, OECD and various UN agencies. She has also served on the Dallas Mayor’s Poverty Task Force and on the advisory council of the Dallas 100 Resilient Cities Initiative. Dr. Csaky has an MS in Finance from the George Washington University and a PhD in Public Policy with a specialization on Globalization and Development from Duke University.
Anna Clark is the founder of EarthPeople Media and the president of Heirloom Digital, a multimedia company she launched in 2019. A social entrepreneur and sustainability strategist, she also advocates for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and inclusive business as co-founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium.
Anna is the author of “Green American Style: Becoming Earth-Friendly and Reaping the Benefits” (2010). She has contributed to the Eco-Leadership column for Greenbiz.com since 2009, and continues to write on sustainability and social innovation for a wide range of media outlets. A fellow at the Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity at SMU, she also serves on the boards of several non-profits, including Green Source DFW, which awarded her a Sustainable Leadership Award in 2016.
Anna holds an M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives with her family in one of the first homes in Dallas to earn a Platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more on her work and writing, visit www.annamclark.com.
FACILITATOR:
VR Small, Founder/CEO, Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), a national initiative launched in southern Dallas. VR testified for the original House Bill to make June 12, Women Veterans Day in Texas. She serves on the Advisory Committee for TWU’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs and is a fellow of SMU’s Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity—Inclusive Economy, Dallas Public Voices, the Bush Institute Stand-to-Veteran Leadership Program and is featured in Dallas Innovates: The Future 50. VR is the SBA’s DFW District 2020 Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year, and serves on the 30th Congressional District Veteran Advisory Committee. Most importantly, VR is a Navy Veteran, proud stepdaughter and sister to U.S. Army Retired Vietnam & Iraq Veterans respectively. Living her personal slogan “Changing the way we see the world and do business,” VR is a motivational speakers, moderator, educator and advocate with a focus on women veteran entrepreneurs and a commitment to all supporting women and general small business community.