Increasingly companies no longer think of environmental performance as just about compliance, and are integrating environmental stewardship into business strategies, operations and product designs. Awareness that greening initiatives can create competitive advantage has reached a tipping point in the business community.

Emerging from this awareness are new ways of doing business that are both profitable and environmentally sound. These new business models are also creating opportunities for consultants

This interactive talk will:

• Introduce three shifts in the business world that are creating competitive advantage for companies that integrate environmental stewardship into their strategies and operations.
• Explain new "functional" business models and their eco advantages.
• Provide examples of green chemistry's role in changing concepts of waste.
• Consider emerging economies influence on environmental stewardship initiatives
• Discuss new roles for consultants -- beyond compliance officers.

Biography: Trudy Heller is founder and President of Executive Education for the Environment. A 25-year experienced consultant and master business educator, she prepares business to compete in a resource constrained world. A Wharton School Ph.D. and former professor of business strategy, Dr. Heller creates speeches, workshops and training programs for companies, universities and government agencies. She has trained associates from Masco Corporation, Baker Petrolite, GE, Merck, Recreational Equipment, and others. She is adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University, and has presented her work at International Conferences in Heidelberg, Rome, Bangkok, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands.

Her articles on sharpening a competitive edge from sustainability in the business world have appeared in Environmental Protection, Ulster Business Journal, Western Mail, and Foreign Policy. She has contributed chapters published in Research in Corporate Sustainability andTeaching Business Sustainability. Her research on innovation and new technology development has appeared in Organization Science, Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.

She is the out-going Chair of the Recycling Committee in her home town, and leads a circle of entrepreneurs for the Philadelphia Sustainable Business Network. Beekeeping and gardening are favorite occupations outside of work.

Location: The Cynwyd Club, 332 Trevor Lane, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. From I-76 drive S on City Line Ave. (US Rte. 1). Turn right on Conshohocken State Rd. (Rte. 23); stay in right lane. After second light watch for white left-turn arrows painted on street (about .14 mi/750 ft). Do not follow Rte. 23 left at turn but instead go straight ahead onto Llandrillo Rd. (passing to right of Valley Press printing). In one block bear left onto Trevor Lane at stop sign. Clubhouse and parking are on the left. Please park in lot if space is available; otherwise park on Trevor Lane. If lost, call the club at 610-667-4524, ext. 2