2025 NATIONAL MEETING

Roy Spence and his partners, right out of The University of Texas at Austin, built GSD&M from scratch into a purpose-based marketing, advertising and idea machine – building iconic brands like Southwest Airlines, Don’t Mess with Texas, The PGA Tour, Walmart, The United States Airforce, Goodyear, American Institute of Architects and DreamWorks.  

Roy is also cofounder and CEO of The Purpose Institute, which is singularly focused on discovering the higher calling purpose and core values that define and shape an organization’s culture and the core purpose that captures the difference an organization makes in the world. Along with Haley Rushing, Roy co-authored the Wall Street Journal best-selling book, It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business is Driven by Purpose.  

Roy’s most passionate endeavor is the Make It Movement, of which he is the founder and CEO. The mission of the Make It Movement is to help young people discover their purpose and talents early in life, so they are confident about making a great living loving what they do. In partnership with organizations like the Texas Association of Builders, Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, and Skillpoint Alliance, the Movement helps kids discover rewarding career paths that don’t require a college degree. 

Chrissa Pagitsas is a dynamic leader who unlocks innovation and growth potential by bridging sustainability and business. She draws on her deep expertise building a $51 billion Green Bond business at Fannie Mae and insights from book, “Chief Sustainability Officers at Work,” with in-depth conversations with Chief Sustainability Officers at Coca-Cola, Amazon, and BlackRock, and other Fortune 500 companies. As a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Co and to global clients, Chrissa guides executives on shaping their business strategy for a complex future. 

Through engaging presentations and insightful perspectives, she empowers audiences to innovate and capture opportunities offered by sustainability despite a volatile global business environment, stiff competition, and evolving customer and employee needs. From the global stage at COP28 in Dubai to closed door sessions with boards, Chrissa addresses why companies should invest in green skills in their workforce to the value-add of green tech. 

Chrissa was recognized as a “Green Bond Champion” by the Climate Bonds Initiative and awarded the Leadership award by the US Green Building Council for her market-transforming innovations as an executive at Fannie Mae. Hailed as “illuminating” and “inspiring,” Chrissa’s book “Chief Sustainability Officers At Work,” is a best seller on Amazon. 

Ms. Pagitsas holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and a BA from Johns Hopkins University. 

WE HAVE SOLD OUT OF ROOMS AT THE JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND. Space is available at the nearest hotel, which is a 4 minute walk:

MARCO BEACH OCEAN RESORT

• Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.