This week, SF Climate Week transformed the city into a vibrant hub of ideas, innovation, and action — all focused on building a more sustainable future. Everywhere you turned, people were sharing bold visions, practical solutions, and a genuine sense of urgency.
A Panel of Sustainability Leaders
I was honored to be invited to speak at “The Future of AI for Good” event. Even more humbling: Vice President Al Gore helped kick off the week as a keynote speaker. His lifelong commitment to climate advocacy set the tone for what turned out to be a powerful, solutions-focused series of conversations.
At the panel, titled “Transforming Industries for a Sustainable Future,” I joined an amazing group of founders who are using technology, and specifically AI, to rethink entire systems. Here’s a little bit about all of them:
Replate — Founded by Maen Mahfoud, Replate rescues surplus meals from businesses and redistributes them to communities experiencing food insecurity. They use smart logistics and AI-driven scheduling to make food recovery scalable, efficient, and impactful.
Rubbish — Led by Emin Israfil, Rubbish empowers waste managers to turn waste tracking into action, helping people take ownership of their environment.
LiquiDonate — Representing LiquiDonate was me, Disney Petit! We help retailers and brands donate excess inventory — from customer returns to overstock — directly to nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada. Using AI-powered matching, we make donation as seamless as sending a package, and give nonprofits more choice and access to the goods they need.
Refiberd — Founded by Sarika Bajaj, Refiberd is tackling the massive problem of textile waste by developing AI-driven material identification. They’re building a future where used garments can be broken down and transformed into raw materials for new products — closing the loop on fashion waste.
Reflections
After the panel, I had the chance to connect with several attendees who were inspired and eager to launch ventures of their own. I found myself recommending one of my favorite straightforward guides to startup life, “Startups and Downs” by Mona Bijoor, to anyone who asked for honest, clear-cut advice on what it really takes to build something new.
It was a reminder of why these gatherings matter so much: not just for the knowledge-sharing on stage, but for the sparks of collaboration, mentorship, and ambition that happen in every corner of the room. It was so wonderful to continue to see full rooms of people who are dedicating their careers to making a positive impact on the environment.
A huge thank you to Google.org and Replate for hosting such an inspiring event, and for creating a space where climate innovation, AI, and community impact could truly intersect. I’m leaving SF Climate Week even more energized to keep building for a more sustainable, more hopeful future.
