Take it from the Top with Two Climate Innovators: Albemarle and Duke University

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As climate change continues to impact business, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders expect boards to take accountability in implementing effective climate oversight to protect their respective organizations' financial and long-term success.

Join us for a two-part fireside chat with climate innovators leading their institutions’ sustainability efforts and leveraging their organizations’ unique strengths to help build a more resilient world.

Kent Masters and Toddi Steelman will address their organizations’ sustainability efforts and their companies' broader roles in advancing society’s climate resilience. They will shed light on leading-edge initiatives and share practical advice from their journeys to help directors enhance climate oversight in their boardrooms.

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Albemarle Corporation provides the critical component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the transformation underway in mobility. Headquartered in Charlotte, Albemarle Corporation leads the world in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. They partner to pioneer ways to move, power, and connect with people and planet in mind.  Starting as a board member in 2015, Kent Masters has led Albemarle as Chairman, and CEO since 2020 and has integrated advancing sustainability as a key pillar in their corporate strategy.

1. What are the key elements Albemarle employs in the development of the "culture" as well as within the board itself?
2. What are some recent successes and how do you maintain diligence regarding "red flags"?
3. How does management inform and solicit the best ideas from their board when it comes to the unique challenges posed by multi-national regulators, investors and competitors?  
4. What role does the board play in developing best practices specific to Albemarle—and how do they define success in those areas?

Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is consistently ranked in the top 10 leading research universities. It has had a school of the environment and a marine lab for over 80 years. Duke has made climate a central focus, with a university-wide effort to unite education, research, operations, and public service against four areas: energy transformation, climate and community resilience, environmental and climate justice, and data-driven climate solutions. Serving as Dean of Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment since 2018, Toddi Steelman was elevated to lead its university-wide Climate Commitment last year. Duke will be among the first universities to achieve carbon neutrality in 2024.

1. How has Duke University engaged their trustees in setting and executing that vision? 
2. How have they educated the trustees on the risks and opportunities of this long-term journey? 
3. What does the board need to know about the capabilities and limitations of climate models? What questions should they be asking their teams to ensure risks are being evaluated effectively?