Build resilient leaders across energy, health, and the economy
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
UVM Davis Center
Learn, connect, and build the foundation for collective action.
We are at a crossroads. With accelerating climate change and economic impacts, we are nearing the “tipping point” of colliding with biophysical limits inside human bodies, across ecosystems, and for the entire planet. Join us in nurturing a shared understanding about our current situation and what could come next for Vermont’s interconnected challenges in energy, health, and the economy.
Let’s come together to address challenges and explore deep topics that help illuminate a pathway forward.
Register today to join the discussion.
Join leaders from across the state to learn, connect, and accelerate progress toward a robust and sustainable future. Registration is required.
EVENT DETAILS
Date and Time:
September 29th, 2026
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location:
UVM Davis Center, 4th floor
590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405
Price:
This event hosted by the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources with support from the Blittersdorf Family Foundation, is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so early registration is encouraged.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Vermont Summit is a free, ticketed event dedicated to respectful dialogue, practical solutions, and Vermont-centered leadership.
The goal of this event is to foster a shared understanding and more grounded conversations about our current predicament and what comes next - catalyzing collective action across organizations and sectors toward advancing the state’s climate, economic, health, and energy goals.
+ Specialist-guided discussions
Immerse yourself in a conversation led by a specialist addressing big questions around our local and global systemic crisis and where we go from here. Understand the interconnected realities of energy and the broader polycrisis – especially as it affects Vermont.
+ Real-world tools & insights
Access real-world tools and insights to support immediate, practical action - helping to navigate uncertainty and make informed choices.
+ Networking opportunities
Form partnerships, share ideas, and strengthen networks to amplify awareness and create the foundation for collective action.
SPEAKERS
Nate Hagens, PhD
Dr. Nate Hagens is an energy and systems thinker, educator, and Executive Director of The Institute for the Study of Energy & Our Future, where he focuses on the intersection of energy, economics, ecology, and human behavior.
A former Wall Street executive turned sustainability scholar, Hagens hosts the The Great Simplification podcast and works to help society better understand and prepare for the cultural and economic transitions driven by environmental and energy constraints. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago and University of Vermont and frequently lectures on systems thinking, resilience, and the future of human civilization.
Collaborate locally and at all levels of leadership to move from goals to action —strengthening communities, supporting economic resilience, and protecting our shared future.
