The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Jessica Glorius-Dangelo, is the sustainability manager and project manager at MA Design. She explores how they integrates sustainability into architectural design, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in unlocking funding opportunities.

Jessica discusses her journey into architecture, highlighting the influence of her father's building projects and an early college course on sustainable design that sparked her passion for giving back more than we take. She describes her experiences working on co-ops in various firms, including a pivotal experience in Beijing, where she witnessed the impact of poor air quality, further solidifying her commitment to sustainability. Jessica also explains the triple bottom line approach to sustainable design, balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations. She shares her role in leading MA Design’s internal sustainability committee and their goals for benchmarking projects, educating staff, and developing a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan. Jessica explains how they are working to achieve the AIA 2030 Commitment, aiming for 100% of their new building projects to be carbon neutral by 2030, and how they help clients define their goals and prioritize resource efficiency, health, and wellbeing.

Episode in a Glance

- Jessica’s Journey into Sustainable Design
- Sustainable Design and the Triple Bottom Line
- MA Design’s Sustainability Initiatives
- The AIA 2030 Commitment
- Working with Certification Frameworks (LEED, WELL, Living Future)
- Jessica's MRSS Panel: Sustainability, Storytelling, and Funding

About Jessica Glorius-Dangelo

Jessica Glorius-Dangelo is a sustainability manager and project manager at MA Design, where she champions sustainable design practices and helps clients create environmentally responsible buildings.

Connect with Jessica Glorius-Dangelo and her work

MA Design website → https://designwithma.com/

Jessica’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-glorius-dangelo-aia-leed-ap-bd-c-well-ap-lfa-70a79574/

MA Design LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/designwithma/posts/

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The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Shailah Maynard is the co-founder and CEO of Sew Valley, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit redefining the fashion industry with a focus on ethical manufacturing, local production, and circular design. Shailah shares her journey into sustainable fashion and the vision behind Sew Valley, a nonprofit providing cut-and-sew services, small-batch production, studio rentals, and educational workshops. She emphasizes the organization's commitment to ethical manufacturing, paying living wages, minimizing waste, and promoting circularity. Shailah discusses the environmental and social challenges within the fashion industry, including unsafe working conditions, excessive waste, and the negative impact of fast fashion.

She highlights Sew Valley's role in proving that responsible apparel manufacturing is possible locally, and she discusses their zero-waste program which transforms fabric scraps into valuable products like upholstery fill and fiberboard. Shailah also discusses their work in educating the community about sustainable practices, including natural dyeing and DIY alterations. She explores the potential for the Midwest to become a leader in sustainable fashion and emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration and resource sharing.

Episode in a glance

- Sew Valley’s Mission and Services
- Who Sew Valley Serves
- Sustainability at Sew Valley
- Rethinking the Garment Lifecycle: Circularity and Local Production
- Sew Valley’s Zero-Waste Program
- The Midwest’s Potential in Sustainable Fashion

About Shailah Maynard

Shailah Maynard is the co-founder and CEO of Sew Valley, a nonprofit organization transforming the fashion industry in the Midwest. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in apparel manufacturing, she is a passionate advocate for ethical production, circular design, and community engagement. Shailah’s vision and leadership are creating a more sustainable and equitable future for fashion.

Connect with Shailah Maynard and her work with Sew Valley:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sewvalley/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/SewValley/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailah-maynard-32876564/

Sew Valley LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/sew-valley/

Website → https://sewvalley.org/

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Welcome to our mini-series covering the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. MRSS is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Charlie Gonzalez, from Green Umbrella, shares how the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit accelerates sustainability across the Midwest, and its diverse program, participatory model, and focus on collaborative climate solutions. Charlie highlights the 2025 theme, "The Power of Storytelling," and the importance of sharing narratives to inspire change. He describes MRSS as a spark for connection, learning, and deepening our resolve in creating a more sustainable future. He also shares his personal journey of getting involved with the summit, emphasizing the power of networking and community engagement. He encourages listeners to attend MRSS, join Green Umbrella's email list, and become part of the movement toward a healthier and more equitable future.

Episode in a glance

• What is the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit?
• The Vision and Theme of MRSS
• How to Get Involved with MRSS and Green Umbrella
• Green Umbrella's Mission and Programs
• The Role of the Midwest in Sustainability
• Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change

About Charlie Gonzalez

Charlie Gonzalez is the Event Manager for Green Umbrella and the driving force behind the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. He is passionate about bringing people together to collaborate on climate solutions and believes in the power of storytelling to inspire change.

Learn More About MRSS

The Conference → https://www.midwestsustainabilitysummit.org

Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-gonzalez

Green Umbrella → https://greenumbrella.org

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