Join us for the Environmental Lecture Series in Orchestra Hall. The topic for August 5 is “The Need for Climate Finance” with Dan Brown.
Addressing the climate crisis requires more than innovation — it requires aligning how capital is invested and deployed with ecological principles, rather than relying solely on traditional market forces. In this lecture, Brown explores the growing need for financial tools and investment strategies that are non-extractive, regenerative and designed to support long-term environmental and community well-being. Drawing from the experience of a mission-driven social enterprise, he will discuss how organizations can evaluate, use and deploy capital while remaining aligned with their values as they grow.
As director of JumpStart’s expansion into Stark County, Brown leads efforts to integrate the organization into the region’s economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem. His work includes launching operations at the Hall of Fame Village, developing collaborative programming, securing sustainable resources and building strategic partnerships to ensure long-term impact.
Before joining JumpStart, Brown co-founded Rust Belt Riders and Tilth Soil — worker-owned social enterprises in Cleveland that promote the circular economy by upcycling food waste. A graduate of JumpStart’s first Impact Cohort, he has been recognized as an Echoing Green Global Climate Fellow and an Environmental Leadership Program National Fellow, and he served as a sustainability advisor on Mayor Justin Bibb’s transition team. Brown also serves on the Cuyahoga County Next Generation Council and is board chair of the Forest City Food Collective.
Brown is a graduate of DePaul University, where he studied ethics and community service studies.
