Dunrie Greiling's Blog

?Want to ensure your project management is sustainable? Join us at the July 2026 Sustainable Innovation Meet Up to hear from Joel Carboni, Founder and President of GPM. GPM is a Michigan?based global corporate sustainability consultancy, and a leading author and voice in sustainability competencies and workforce development.

Joel will outline what the Green Project Manager (GPM?b) certification is, why the sustainable project management skills embedded in the credential are driving a 54.6% higher hiring rate, and how these competencies are becoming best?practice expectations for project leaders looking to elevate their impact and career.

July 16, 8-9:30AM

Coffee and networking from 8:00. Conversation starts at 8:30.

Bamboo Ann Arbor, 200 S. 1st Street

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

More on this series here

The post Sustainability Impact & Data Center Water Use | Meet Up appeared first on Scientific Ink.

The June 2026 Sustainable Innovation Meet Up features two outstanding speakers, continuing our commitment to bringing leading perspectives that help us strengthen our community, deepen our discussions, and advance our collective sustainability journeys.

Join Preet Gill, Head of ADAS Sustainability and Digitization at the electronics and ADAS division at ZF, for an inside look at a typical day shaping sustainability initiatives at one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers. He will also share insights from his new book, Sustainability for Business Growth. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for turning sustainability risks into opportunities for ROI and growth, empowering employees to actively contribute to their company’s sustainable success.

Hear from Joel Brammeier, President & CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a leading research and advocacy organization and influential voice shaping water dialogue and policy across the region. Joel will share how his team’s latest analysis is informing the urgent conversation around data centers’ water needs, how data centers are raising bigger questions about who gets to use Great Lakes water, and where the region should go from here.

June 18, 8-9:30AM

Coffee and networking from 8:00. Conversation starts at 8:30.

Bamboo Ann Arbor, 200 First Street

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

More on this series here

The post Sustainability Impact & Data Center Water Use | Meet Up appeared first on Scientific Ink.

Across industries, there’s growing pressure to build systems that can keep up, from recovering materials to managing water.

Join us for a focused session with two perspectives on how that work is happening now.

George Mitri, Co-Founder and CEO of 2DaLoop, will cover what’s driving the rise in electronics waste and how manufacturers are rethinking reverse logistics and material recovery.

Brittany VanderBeek, Director of Development at AquaAction, will share how emerging companies are solving industry water challenges, with examples already delivering conservation and cost benefits.

Coffee and networking from 8:00. Conversation starts at 8:30.

BrightWorks Coworking, 3027 Miller Road, Ann Arbor

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

More on this series here

The post From Waste to Value: How Closing the Electronics Loop Transforms Industry + Tapping Innovation in Water appeared first on Scientific Ink.

Ready to learn more about sustainable transportation in Ann Arbor? At our next session, Lilliane Webb, TDM-CP (TheRide / getDowntown), will share how these demand-side approaches are already influencing commuting patterns across Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and why that matters for emissions, congestion, and access.

We’ll also kick off this year’s #CommuterChallenge.

Thursday, April 23 from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Bamboo Ann Arbor, 200 S. 1st Street.

8:00–8:30 AM – Coffee and conversation

8:30–9:00 AM – Featured talk

9:00–9:30 AM – Q&A and more networking

Coffee and light breakfast provided.

Edit: Registration is now closed, hope to see you at an upcoming meetup!

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

Hosted at Bamboo Ann Arbor with support from Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge.

More on this series here

The post Beyond EVs and Micromobility: Demand?Side Innovation for a Sustainable Transportation Future appeared first on Scientific Ink.

Renovation is often overlooked as a sustainability strategy. Yet reusing existing buildings can preserve greenfield land, reduce embodied carbon, and avoid the emissions associated with manufacturing new construction materials.

On Thursday, February 26, the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up will feature a conversation with Mark Smith of MI-HQ East, focused on how sustainability shows up in real renovation decisions. This session will explore the tradeoffs, constraints, and opportunities that emerge when adapting an existing structure to meet evolving needs.

MI-HQ East offers a particularly interesting lens because sustainability is not limited to the building itself. The team also salvages and reuses equipment and materials from other sites, helping reduce costs while limiting the carbon footprint associated with producing new goods. The result is a pragmatic, experience-driven approach to reuse that balances sustainability, profitability, and customer needs.

As with all Sustainable Innovation Meet Ups, the session will be interactive and discussion-oriented, with time for questions and conversation. The goal is to surface lessons attendees can apply in their own work, whether they are thinking about buildings, infrastructure, or other long-lived assets.

February 26, 2026

8:00–8:30 AM – Coffee and conversation

8:30–9:00 AM – Featured talk

9:00–9:30 AM – Q&A and more networking

MI-HQ East, 300 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti

Coffee and light breakfast provided.

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

More on this series here

The post Sustainability Through Renovation: Lessons from the Ongoing Transformation of MI-HQ East appeared first on Scientific Ink.

UPDATE – POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 26

Early-stage sustainable innovations face distinct challenges long before questions of scale arise. Moving from ideation and research into real-world use requires access to the right resources, partners, and pathways for adoption. In this session, Ashwathi Iyer will explore how innovators navigate this transition, drawing on concrete case studies that illustrate different models for commercialization and adoption by industry or community partners.

The discussion will highlight resources available to innovators, common barriers encountered at this early stage, and practical approaches to achieving real-world uptake. While some examples are specific to the University of Michigan, others draw from Ashwathi’s experience working in the social sector in India, with tools and lessons that apply broadly. The conversation will also surface potential touch points between university researchers and the Ann Arbor business and sustainability community, emphasizing collaboration, translation, and impact.

Rescheduled to March 26 (originally January 22).
Cahoots Coworking, 206 E. Huron

8:00–8:30 AM – Coffee and conversation

8:30–9:00 AM – Featured talk

9:00–9:30 AM – Q&A and more networking

Thanks Bill Crane for co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

More on this series here

The post From Ideation to Impact: Commercializing Early-Stage Sustainable Innovation appeared first on Scientific Ink.

Founded by Kathy Sample and Bill Brinkerhoff, Argus set out to solve a simple but stubborn problem: how to make it easy for people to buy local food year-round, in a way that’s fair to farmers and convenient for customers.

In the ten years since opening their first café and market, Argus has become a beloved Ann Arbor institution — and a national model for strengthening local food economies. Through a mix of deep customer discovery, careful data tracking, and close partnerships with local producers, they’ve shown that a community-driven, farmer-first retail model can thrive.

At our November Sustainable Innovation Meet Up, Kathy Sample will share the Argus origin story and lessons learned along the way: what’s changed since launch, the challenges of scaling local food systems, and how Argus is helping others build their own “farm stops” across the country.

8:00–8:30 AM – Coffee and conversation

8:30–9:00 AM – Featured talk

9:00–9:30 AM – Q&A and more networking

Join us to connect with local innovators and explore what it takes to build sustainable food systems that truly feed both people and place.

A big thank you to Bill Crane for his partnership in co-hosting these gatherings.

So grateful to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up.

The post Lessons from Argus Farm Stop: Building Sustainable Local Food Systems appeared first on Scientific Ink.

We’re excited to announce our next Sustainable Innovation Meet Up on Tuesday, October 21, from 8–9:30 AM at Cahoots.

This month’s theme is Designing for Impact: Sustainable Architecture, Urban Design, and Materials Innovation, featuring guest speaker Jen Maigret, Professor of Architecture and Director of Climate Futures at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College.

Jen is a registered architect whose teaching, research, and design practice explore how architecture can create more sustainable and resilient futures through climate-responsive buildings, equitable urban design, and innovative materials. We’re thrilled to learn from her perspective on how design choices ripple out to shape both people and planet.

Here’s our format:

Join us to start your morning with ideas, inspiration, and community.

And don’t forget: if you’re looking for even more sustainability inspiration, the Sustainable Future Forum takes place this Monday, September 29.

Hope to see you at one — or both!

A big thank you to Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge for their continued support of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up, and to Bill Crane for his partnership in co-hosting these gatherings.

The post Designing for Impact: Sustainable Architecture and Urban Futures appeared first on Scientific Ink.

We’re excited to launch a new season of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up on Wednesday, September 18 from 8:00–9:30 AM at Mothfire Brewing in Ann Arbor.

This month’s session—“Crafting Community: Sustainability & Creativity at Mothfire Brewing”—features David Becker, Co-Founder of Mothfire Brewing. David will share how sustainability and local partnerships are at the heart of Mothfire’s mission.

This September event also serves as a lead-in to the Sustainable Future Forum, part of a2tech360—our region’s biggest week celebrating innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Event details
Wednesday, September 18
8:00–9:30 AM
Mothfire Brewing, 713 W. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor
Coffee and light breakfast will be provided

The Sustainable Innovation Meet-Up is a monthly gathering that highlights corporate sustainability innovations and fosters networking and community. Each session brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders to exchange ideas, learn from local case studies, and spark collaborations that drive positive change.

We’re grateful to our sponsors—Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge—for supporting this series. Like the new look? Thanks to Cathy Colson for graphic design.

The post Crafting Community at Mothfire Brewing: Sustainable Innovation Meet Up appeared first on Scientific Ink.

Join our September 10 mentorship circle with Thressa Nichols to learn how to turn your versatility into your career superpower and find your niche as a generalist.

Wednesday, September 10, 11AM–noon

Cahoots Coworking, 206 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Finding your niche as a generalist is about more than just skills—it’s about mindset. Thressa Nichols will discuss how to embrace the “human first” approach, cultivate inclusive environments, and turn your versatility into your competitive edge.  Thressa currently serves as VP of Operations for Snappt and is on the board of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. A community builder and People Ops leader, she is also gearing up to launch her own entrepreneurship journey.

The Cahoots Mentorship Circle, hosted by Ayishwariya Menon and Dunrie Greiling, is an occasional series featuring guest speakers and open discussions for founders, innovators, and community builders.

The post The Power of Versatility: Finding Your Unique Fit appeared first on Scientific Ink.