Connecting Chicago to the Top of the World

Connecting Chicago to the Top of the World

On May 22, 2019, Geoff Green joined the Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and his wife Vicki Heyman for an evening of storytelling from Chicago to the Arctic. Hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the evening brought together voices from the top of the world, and across Chicago’s diverse neighbourhoods, to celebrate their differences and explore their shared aspirations through the timeless art of storytelling.

Speakers included Geoff Green, Embarc CEO Imran Khan, WBEZ’s Steve Bynum, and SOI alumni Maatalii Okalik, Nelson Tagoona, and Cassy Jade.

On SOI expeditions, a student from Chicago might share a cabin with a student from Nunavut and by the end of the journey, a bond is formed. History has proven that it is connections like that, which truly do change the world…” 

Geoff shared what inspired him to create the Students on Ice Foundation nearly 20 years ago and the inspiring stories of impact on youth around the world.

He spoke to the importance of connections – connections to nature, to people and cultures from all over the world, to the issues that we face as a global society and how these experiences shape and inspire youth.

Geoff Green presents at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs storytelling event

Former United States Ambassador to Canada Bruce A. Heyman and his wife Vicki along with Embarc CEO Imran Khan are inspiring individuals who have helped to bring Chicago and the Arctic together. A wonderful partnership that continues today supporting two Chicago high school students to join the Students on Ice 2019 Arctic Expedition.

You can also listen to the stories and performances from the storytelling event here: What’s Your Story? Connecting Chicago to the Top of the World

Ambassador and Vicki Heyman recently launched a new book “The Art of Diplomacy” that speaks to the important relationship between Canada and the U.S. Learn more about their book here.”

The link for the ‘here’: https://unchartedllc.com/book/

Edge Talks at the Rideau Club

Edge Talks at the Rideau Club

On May 14, Geoff was invited to speak at the Edge Talks hosted by 1-degree at the Rideau Club in Ottawa. Geoff spoke to the transformative power of experiential journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic in his talk “Inspiring Leaders, Leading from heart versus head”.

1-degree is an organization focused on meaningful leadership and good workplace culture, and Geoff shared stories of several CEOs and executives inspired through their participation on an SOI expedition to lead their teams, businesses and communities from heart versus head.

Geoff and Mark Sneddon from 1-degree

 

Thank you to Mark Sneddon and the 1-degree team for hosting this inspiring event!

Ontario’s Water Conference and Trade Show 2019

Ontario’s Water Conference and Trade Show 2019

Photo ©️ Water Canada Magazine

On May 7, 2019, Geoff delivered the keynote presentation at Ontario’s Water Conference and Trade Show hosted by the Ontario Water Works Association. The forefront of this conference was the theme of protecting public health through the provision of safe drinking water. Geoff’s keynote titled “Water: from Pole to Pole” addressed the intersection between water and his ventures as a Polar Leader.

Photo ©️ Water Canada Magazine

 

Photo ©️ Water Canada Magazine / Members of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Thank you to the OWWA for this opportunity. Learn more about the organization here.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation: Launch of the 2019 Arctic Expedition Scholarship Program

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation: Launch of the 2019 Arctic Expedition Scholarship Program

On March 26, 2019, Geoff joined two Monegasque youth who participated in the 2018 Students on Ice (SOI) Arctic Expedition in presenting highlights from the journey; SOI’s upcoming initiatives and impact in the areas of climate change and ocean conservation; and officially launched the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation scholarships for the upcoming 2019 Arctic Expedition.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco is the Honorary Chair of the Board for the Students on Ice Foundation, an award-winning organization founded and led by Geoff. Prince Albert II has generously supported SOI and Monegasque youth on SOI expeditions for more than a decade and it was an honour to celebrate SOI and the impact these expeditions have had on Monegasque youth over the years.

Arctic 2018 alumni Baptiste Crovetto and Morgane Puons did a wonderful job presenting and sharing their experiences with a crowd of 400 hopeful students and inspiring them to apply for the 2019 expedition! Underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta also shared some of his extraordinary images from the Antarctic, including the photos that earned him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award in 2017. It was a wonderful event, and we were proud to have it included as an official part of Monaco Ocean Week this year. Merci à tous!!

Interviews with Geoff and the Arctic 2018 students on Monaco Channel below  (time: 06:05-09:00)


Geoff speaks on Monaco Channel TV about the Students on Ice program

Geoff presents a copy of the Canada C3 commemorative book to Ségolène Royal at the 11th Annual Students on Ice Launch Event hosted by HSH Prince Albert II in Monaco. She spoke passionately about the need for urgent action on climate change, and the important role of youth.

Monaco Ocean Week

Monaco Ocean Week

Geoff joined leaders from around the world for a week devoted to the major issues affecting the ocean. Organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Government of Monaco and their partners: the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Yacht Club of Monaco.

Scientists, experts, NGOs and representatives of civil society came together to discuss the key issue of ocean protection. Topics included innovation, research and development of the blue economy as well as key challenges such as plastic pollution and ways to develop a sustainable ocean economy.

Monaco Ocean Week kicked off with the 10th Meeting of the Monaco Blue Initiative, with a focus on Marine Protected Areas and included presentations by:

  • Brune Poirson, French Secretary of State to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition
  • Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
  • Chuanlin Huo, Deputy Director General of the Department of Marine Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China
  • H.E. José Apolinario, Portuguese Secretary of State for Fisheries
  • François Simard, on behalf of Inger Andersen, Director-General of the IUCN

L-R: Peggy Kalas, the High Seas Alliance; Genevieve Pons, Jacques Delors Institute; Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International; Sabine Jessen, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society; and Dan Laffoley, International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Photo (c) M. Dagnino – Institut océanographique

 

Monaco Blue Initiative. Photo (c) M. Dagnino – Institut océanographique

 

Geoff with fellow Canuck, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s National Director Ocean’s Program, and Students on Ice Alumna Sabine Jessen at the Monaco Blue Initiative & Monaco Ocean Week meetings