Cleaning our skies: Innovative solutions that are removing carbon from the air

Kelly Erhart is a social entrepreneur passionate about the opportunities to address global challenges that are found at the intersection of science and business. She is co-founder and President of Vesta, where they are working on an ocean-based climate restoration solution. Kelly has a multidisciplinary background, and her work in the last few years has focused on the commercialization of sustainable technologies and carbon removal approaches. Alongside her commercial efforts, Kelly has also helped to found multiple non-profit efforts across the climate and sustainability space.

Patricia Loria is VP of Business Development at CarbonCapture Inc, a CA based direct air capture company.  She is responsible for sales, partnerships and policy development for the company.  Prior to taking this role, Patricia was Senior Client Engagement Lead at the Global CCS Institute, where she supported companies and governments looking to deploy carbon capture solutions from point sources or ambient air to achieve net-zero goals. Based in  Washington, DC, Patricia is a seasoned marketing and business development professional with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, insurance, and NGO sectors. Patricia received an MBA from Darden Business School and a master’s degree in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability.

Jodi began her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 18, while managing Ivor Wynn Stadium (now Tim Horton’s Field) and attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to pursue two baccalaureates and eventually a Master’s Degree. During that time, she began designing and manufacturing Canadian Football League Fan Wear, and became the first female to obtain a Canadian Football League Merchandising License.

Upon completion of Teacher’s College, and after securing a Teaching Position, Jodi worked to become a Licensed Realtor, specializing in Commercial Restaurant Chains and Redevelopment Projects. Here she began learning about the negative impact of chemicals and waste on the environment. After retiring from a successful 30 year career in Education, Jodi then committed to focusing her efforts on supporting the Earth. She gained extensive knowledge and experience pertaining to the interrelated negative impacts among landfills, soil infertility, and climate change. While advocating for a Canadian Waste Technology Group, Jodi began working as a Sustainable Waste Solution/Landfill Diversion Technology Consultant, which ultimately led to her current role as CEO/ Founder/Director of Bella Biochar Corporation.

Certified by the International Biochar Initiative for Biochar Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development, Jodi is pioneering both the Premium Quality Biochar and Carbon Dioxide Removal Global Markets as the only Canadian commercial scale, non-traditional pyrolysis manufacturer of Certified Organic Biochar made from landfill diverted waste wood. Jodi is proud to lead the first female founded corporation in the world to achieve PURO.earth (ICROA) Carbon Dioxide Removal Certification.

Paloma Zapata leads Sustainable Travel International’s global efforts to maximize tourism’s contribution to environmental conservation and community well-being. With over 15 years of experience in sustainable tourism, Paloma has implemented impactful initiatives in 26 nations across the globe. Paloma manages the organization’s efforts to engage the tourism industry in climate action through a suite of carbon measurement, offsetting, and educational solutions. She is also working alongside destination leaders and communities to define a Carbon Neutral Destination model.