In 2012, he was awarded the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Growing Green Award in the “Business Leader” category and the Social Venture Network’s Hall of Fame Impact Award in the “Environmental Evangelist” category. In 2013, George was inducted into the Hall of Legends by New Hope Natural Media, organizers of the Natural Product Expos.
Saturday, June 21 1:00 p.m. Main Stage Michael Noble Michael Noble has been the executive director of Fresh Energy since 1995. He has nearly 30 years of professional expertise in energy and has been a key strategist for many major public policy innovations in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy development, global warming solutions, and strategies to reduce reliance on oil in Minnesota and the Midwestern region. Michael has served as the CEO of three different not-for-profit energy organizations since 1979 and one for-profit energy services company. Passion for progress is what drew Michael into Fresh Energy; he wanted to work full time on changing the rules of the game, so that cleaner and smarter energy choices could flourish. Michael loves to show off his carpentry skills and “green building” ideas in the restoration of his 1910 Craftsman home in St. Paul’s Mac-Groveland neighborhood. Michael graduated from Carleton College cum laude with a BA in History. Currently, he is the Chair of the Clean Energy Working Group and serves on the Steering Committee of RE-AMP. In addition, Michael serves on the board of directors of Conservation Minnesota Voter Center, Wind on the Wires, and the Will Steger Foundation.
Sunday, June 22 1:00 p.m. Main Stage Leilani Münter
From biology graduate, to race car driver, to environmental leader. Leilani Münter is a biology graduate who eventually became the unusual combination of a race car driver and environmental activist. Since 2006, Leilani has been using her unique voice in the racing world to fight for environmental issues. In 2007, she became the first carbon neutral race car driver when she made the commitment to adopt an acre of rainforest for every race she runs to offset the carbon footprint of her race car. Leilani became the first Ambassador of the National Wildlife Federation in 2008, and made several trips to Capitol Hill to speak with members of Congress on behalf of clean energy legislation alongside climate change scientists. She has spoken on the steps of Capitol Hill alongside Senators Barbara Boxer and John Kerry. After meeting with her, Senator Elizabeth Dole called Leilani “a woman on a mission.” In 2010, Leilani was one of the first activists to visit the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, eventually making two trips to areas of Louisiana devastated by the oil spill and appearing on a live interview with MSNBC. With years of dedication to environmental issues, she has become a recognized leader in the environmental community. Discovery’s Planet Green named her the #1 eco athlete in the world, Glamour Magazine called her “An Eco Hero,” ELLE Magazine awarded her their Genius Award, and Sports Illustrated named her one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world.
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