Gil Friend
Keynote Speaker: Sustainability Pioneer, Founder of Natural Logic Inc, Former Chief Sustainability Officer
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Gil Friend Biography
Gil Philip Friend, the founder, chair, and CEO of Natural Logic Inc, and Critical Path Capital, advises leading companies, communities, and investors on business-driving sustainability strategies. He is also the founder and chair of a new impact investment firm that focuses on sustainable business practices.
Friend has been a noted sustainability pioneer for nearly 50 years and is widely acknowledged as one of the founders of the sustainable business movement. He was named an inaugural member of the Sustainability Hall of Fame (along with Ray Anderson, Amory Lovins, Karl-Henrik Robert, and Bob Willard) by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, and "one of the 10 most influential sustainability voices in America" by The Guardian.
From December 2013 to November 2018, Friend served as the first Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Palo Alto, California, where he led the development of one of the most aggressive climate action plans in the US, which aimed for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Under his guidance, the city achieved a 56% reduction by his departure. He delivers keynote speeches on topics including smart, sustainable cities and the role of CFOs in sustainability, highlighting his commitment to rethinking business in light of climate change and sustainability challenges.
A systems ecologist and business strategist with nearly 50 years of experience, Friend combines broad business experience with unique content experience spanning strategy, systems ecology, economic development, management cybernetics, and public policy. He has advised clients such as Hewlett Packard, Levi Strauss, and Coca-Cola on designing, implementing, and measuring sustainability strategies that deliver significant impact and value.
In addition to his leadership roles, Friend serves on the boards of directors of multiple organizations, including Blue Planet Energy and Inquiring Systems, Inc. He has held notable positions such as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Oregon State University and Adjunct Faculty at Presidio Graduate School. He is the author of "The Truth About Green Business" and has contributed to several influential publications in the field of sustainability.
Friend holds an M.S. degree in systems ecology from Antioch University and is a seasoned practitioner of "The Natural Step" environmental management system. He continues to be a key figure in inspiring, challenging, and supporting leaders to build prosperity and strategic advantage by managing through the lens of deep purpose informed by billions of years of natural evolution.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Gil Friend and other top speakers and celebrities.
Gil Friend Speaking Topics
Why capitalism can't work right until it stops lying to itself about what things really cost
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate and Sustainability activists
- Economists
- Policy analysts
How smart companies are making sustainability, regeneration, and climate action their secret door to massive business value...how your biggest brand promise can open that secret door...and why other companies are still working way too hard NOT to get it.
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate professionals
- General audiences
How cities around the world have jumped to the forefront of the sustainability revolution, what your city can do next about climate, energy, water, housing, mobility, green surfaces, adaptation, finance, and inclusion--and why it might be easier to deal with them all together rather than separately.
(This topic draws on what I learned as the first Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Palo Alto (from both successes and failures), as an international speaker on urban innovation, and as a pioneer in urban ecology.)
For:
- Elected officials
- Municipal executives and directors
- Smart city vendors
- Urban planners
- Civic organizations
- Real estate developers
- Community organizers
- General audiences
Facing climate risk and strategic duty...by moving beyond quarterly capitalism in a carbon-constrained world...and making the new world work for your business--and your career.
For:
- Chief Financial Officers
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Government regulators
How your business can apply 3.8 billion years of open-source R&D to thrive in the unparalleled uncertainty of the 21st century...and... How leaders can adapt, anticipate, and thrive-in an era of crisis and turmoil-with grace, dignity, and power.
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate professionals
- General audiences
Gil Friend Videos
How do I book Gil Friend to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Gil Friend for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Gil Friend, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Gil Friend or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Gil Friend for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Gil Friend, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Gil Friend are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Gil Friend, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Gil Friend speak about?
Gil Friend is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Environment, Energy, Sustainability, Ethics & Integrity, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Business, Business Leadership, Business Growth, Innovation and Economy.
Where does Gil Friend travel from?
Gil Friend generally travels from Berkeley, CA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Gil Friend?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Gil Friend for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Gil Friend for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Gil Friend or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Gil Friend is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Environment, Energy and Sustainability. The estimated speaking fee range to book Gil Friend for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Gil Friend generally travels from Berkeley, CA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Andrew Winston, Tim Sanders and Amy Myers Jaffe. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Gil Friend for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Gil Friend Speaking Topics
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Getting The Prices Right
Why capitalism can't work right until it stops lying to itself about what things really cost
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate and Sustainability activists
- Economists
- Policy analysts
-
The Mysteriously Elusive Sustainability Business Case
How smart companies are making sustainability, regeneration, and climate action their secret door to massive business value...how your biggest brand promise can open that secret door...and why other companies are still working way too hard NOT to get it.
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate professionals
- General audiences
-
Why Smart Cities Aren't So Smart—And Why Living Cities Can Be
How cities around the world have jumped to the forefront of the sustainability revolution, what your city can do next about climate, energy, water, housing, mobility, green surfaces, adaptation, finance, and inclusion--and why it might be easier to deal with them all together rather than separately.
(This topic draws on what I learned as the first Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Palo Alto (from both successes and failures), as an international speaker on urban innovation, and as a pioneer in urban ecology.)
For:
- Elected officials
- Municipal executives and directors
- Smart city vendors
- Urban planners
- Civic organizations
- Real estate developers
- Community organizers
- General audiences
-
Why CFOs Should Take the Lead On Climate
Facing climate risk and strategic duty...by moving beyond quarterly capitalism in a carbon-constrained world...and making the new world work for your business--and your career.
For:
- Chief Financial Officers
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Government regulators
-
Navigating The Anthropocene—Leading In An Uncertain World
How your business can apply 3.8 billion years of open-source R&D to thrive in the unparalleled uncertainty of the 21st century...and... How leaders can adapt, anticipate, and thrive-in an era of crisis and turmoil-with grace, dignity, and power.
For:
- CXOs
- Senior Executives
- Investment professionals
- Sustainability managers
- Climate professionals
- General audiences
VIDEO
Gil Friend Videos
FAQS
-
How do I book Gil Friend to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Gil Friend for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Gil Friend, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Gil Friend or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Gil Friend for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Gil Friend, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Gil Friend are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Gil Friend, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Gil Friend speak about?
Gil Friend is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Environment, Energy, Sustainability, Ethics & Integrity, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Business, Business Leadership, Business Growth, Innovation and Economy. -
Where does Gil Friend travel from?
Gil Friend generally travels from Berkeley, CA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Gil Friend?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Gil Friend for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Gil Friend for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Gil Friend or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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