AUSii Series: Let's Talk!

Come join guest speaker Lauren Riley, Managing Director, Global Environmental Affairs and Sustainability at United Airlines, as she discusses her role at United and the challenges of leading change in a time of energy transition.

• What’s it like to be a leader at the intersection of a critical transportation industry and the energy transition?
• How does investing in CO2 mitigation technologies help to drive change?
• How do sustainable aviation fuels help support a lower carbon future?

Join our guest speaker, Geeta Thakorlal, President Digital & Energy Transition from Worley, as we explore the challenges of leading the transformation of EPC in a time of energy transition.

- What is it like to be a leader at the intersection of the EPC industry and the Energy Transition?

- How is sustainability reshaping the EPC business?

- How does an EPC company participate in the decarbonization of the energy system and a lower carbon future?

This latest AUSii Series: Let's Talk webinar will increase awareness of the huge potential that this offers and will be invaluable for informing participants of the abundant opportunities that Houston’s Incubator environment provides.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Ayse McCracken - President, eNNOVATE Health Ventures; Founder, Ignite Healthcare Network
“Houston’s innovation sector, investment opportunities, key challenges and women in healthcare innovation.”

Tom Luby - Director, TMC Innovation
“TMC Innovation, Healthcare sector areas driving change and challenges.”

Colin Denver - CEO, SpeeDx
“The start-up journey and expansion throughout Texas.”

Shawn Davis - VP and Chief Ventures Officer, BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine (Moderator)
"Introduction to Houston Incubators and Speakers.”

SPEAKERS:

• Dr. Grose - Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Climate Science CentreDr. Grose reviews the key findings from the CSIRO 2020 State of the Climate report on how Australia’s climate is changing and how these changes are contributing to areas of particular concern to Australia – drought, bushfires, and a warming ocean.
  
• Mr. Jamie Isbister - Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment, First Assistant Secretary, Economic Growth and Sustainability Division
  Mr.Isbister discusses the Australian government’s climate policies, including Australia’s significant and growing investment in renewables and where we stand in reducing our national carbon footprint and meeting our international commitments.
  
• Waqar Qureshi: Energy Transition and Sustainability Consultant (Moderator)

Join our guest speaker, Stephanie Campbell from the Houston Angel Network for a discussion as we explore the intersections of women and investing - women founders, women investors, and the potential impacts of technology on the lives of women.

Questions covered include:

• What are the challenges and opportunities for women founders and investors?
• How can women participate in Houston’s startup ecosystem?
• How can more women founders and investors help drive positive change?
• How can technology benefit caregiving roles and women’s careers in the future?

Speaker:
Stephanie Campbell
Managing Director, The Houston Angel Network (HAN)
General Partner - The Artemis Fund
Investment Committee Chair - Houston Exponential

The 2020 Presidential race is coming to a climax as both sides vie for key swing states during an unprecedented time in the US.  How will the candidates tackle the hot campaign topics in the final lead up to the election on November 3rd, and who will come out ahead?

Join us as we continue our virtual "AUSii Series: Let's Talk" with special guests:

• Professor Sean Theriault, Department of Government, University of Texas
• The Hon. Peter McGauran, Australia’s Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Houston, Texas

During the session, our speakers will cover the following questions:

1. What are the major issues driving this election?
2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Democrat and Republican campaigns and their Presidential candidates?
3. Is Texas ready to turn Blue at this election?
4. What is the likely outcome of Texas’ Congressional contests?
5. What are the swing states other than Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan?
6. How likely is it that the Democrats could take the Senate?
7. Who will be the 46th President of the United States?

Leading Corporate Innovation and Venture Capital Through the Energy Transition

Join our guest speaker, Barbara Burger - VP Innovation, President of Technology Ventures at Chevron - as we explore the strategic value of corporate venture capital and the leadership challenges of the energy transition.

• What’s it like to be leader at the intersection of venture capital and the energy transition?
• How does corporate venture capital help to drive change?
• How does carbon capture and storage support a lower carbon future?

Join our guest speaker, Marie Myers from HP Inc. as we explore how innovative technologies can improve the ways we work and deliver real value within an enterprise, as well as how digital transformation will continue to impact both our personal and our work lives.

• What’s it like driving significant transformational change at a large, multi-national information technology company?
• What are the most compelling opportunities for companies that want to leverage digital transformation?
• How will digital transformation change existing industries and positively impact our lives?

Guest Speaker: Marie Myers - Chief Transformation Officer  &  Chief Financial Officer  at HP Inc.
Moderated by: Christina Staib - AACC President |  President - Tarcoola Ventures LLC

We are constantly bombarded these days with scientific terms, conflicting information, and a plethora of experts providing information about COVID-19 and our path forward.

Our guest speaker Dr. Eric Boerwinkle sits down with Dr. Richard Gibbs to help break down the jargon and share his local experience in Houston, providing hope and insight for how we can all manage our lives going forward.

Questions covered include:

• Do masks actually help stop the spread?
• What do all of the stats mean, and which ones do we really need to pay attention to?
• How can we best move forward in Houston?
• How does the antibody test work and who needs it?
• What stage are we at with the vaccine?

Dr. Tony Piedra, Professor and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Baylor College of Medicine discusses his work on the COVID antibody test - how does it work, who should get tested, the differences between COVID testing and antibody testing, and more.

Guest speaker Bruce Rutherford from JLL discusses corporate real estate and disposition strategies during recessions.

Topics covered include:

• Current real estate cycle
• Houston's sublease market
• Comparative numbers between Houston and other US markets
• Predicting the next sublease surge
• Options available for corporations with existing and expiring leases

Our June Sundowner was once again online due to COVID-19.  We were lucky to have three great speakers over the course of the hour sharing their experience and expertise with us.

Dr. Tony Piedra 
Professor and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Piedra discusses his work on the COVID antibody test, and the impact on our community.

Professor Dietrich von Biedenfeld
Assistant Professor, University of Houston Downtown, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dietrich provided background and insight into his local experiences in Houston, as well as corporate & financial institution response to race relations issues.

The Honorable Peter McGauran
Consul General & Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Houston, Australian Consulate

Mr. McGauran provided an update from the Australian Government on the current US/Australia travel, policies and local considerations.

Guest speaker Ed Emmett discusses his local experiences as Former Judge of Harris County and the challenges of leading during times of crisis.

Topics covered include:

• Setting objectives and priorities during a crisis
• Event simulations - how do they translate into real life situations
• Expenditure and resource prioritization during a crisis
• Learning from our mistakes
• The role of FEMA during a crisis

Join guest speaker John Hofmeister for our latest Lunch & Learn as he discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the Oil & Gas Industry.

Topics covered will include:

• Resiliency of the oil industry
• Sustainability of independent oil companies in the US
• The climate imperatives for the oil and gas industry
• Renewable energy and the transition after COVID-19
• Controlling the price of oil - what are the issues?

GUEST SPEAKER:
John Hofmeister - Former President, Shell Oil Company; Founder and Chief Executive, Citizens for Affordable Energy

During the first half-hour Ambassador Sinodinos and the Hon. Peter McGauran will have a Q&A discussing the Australia/US relationship and address key trade, defense and political issues, as well as Australia’s need for a productive economic and political relationship with China at a time of rising tensions between the two superpowers.

During the second half-hour Geraldine Slattery and Christina Staib will have a Q&A focused on BHP's response to COVID-19 within their organization, the establishment of the Community Relief Fund for Houston, and the long term outlook for the petroleum market.

Guest speaker Bruce Rutherford from JLL discusses how to adapt the workplace and operations to protect your employees.

Topics covered include:

• How to Adjust to the New Normal
• Operational Impact & Change Management
• Spacial awareness & Social Distancing
• Facilities management
• Cleaning & Janitorial measures

Our monthly Sundowner went online due to the stay-at-home orders.  Listen to our 3 guest speakers talk about COVID-19 in Houston:

• Hon. Peter McGauran, Australia Consul-General, Houston: Update on the Australian Government's response to COVID-19 in the US;
• Chris Barakat, BetterConsult: Screening tools for COVID-19;
• Dr. Richard Gibbs, Human Genome Sequencing Center: COVID-19 testing update from Baylor College of Medicine.