House of Scientista Debuts at UNGA & Climate Week NYC
Global leaders join exclusive roundtables on climate, health, and communication, followed by a VIP reception catered by Michelin-starred chef Salil Mehta.
House of Scientista will make its Climate Week NYC and UNGA’s debut on September 25. The event brings together diverse, global leaders for exclusive, off-the-record roundtables focusing on climate, health and communication. A VIP reception follows catered by Michelin-starred chef Salil Mehta.
House of Scientista at UNGA & Climate Week NYC
📍 When & Where: September 25, 2025 | 3:00–8:00 pm | Midtown Manhattan
🗣️ What: High-level roundtables with featured speakers (open for all attendees to listen in), a networking lounge, original content, and a VIP reception
🍴 Reception: Catered by Michelin-Starred Chef Salil Mehta
✉️ RSVP: The event is currently at capacity, but you can request an invite and join the waitlist here.
Here’s a closer look at the day’s program.
3 PM: Communicating Science on Food & Health in a Polarized World
This roundtable will explore how science communication can cut through polarization on food and health. From misinformation about nutrition to debates over plant-based diets and climate, the discussion will focus on how to build public trust and promote healthier, more sustainable communities.
Featuring: Dr. Nikki Romanik, Distinguished Senior Fellow in Global Health Security, Brown University School of Public Health; Charlotte Clymer, Writer, Speaker, and Activist; Maggie Baird, Founder, Support + Feed; Sanah Baig, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Institute; Seema Wadhwa, Founder, Net Positive Solutions and TIME100 Climate Honoree; and Ebony Twilley Martin, Former Executive Director, Greenpeace USA.
4 PM: Moving Capital in Uncertain Times: What Should Philanthropists and Institutional Investors Prioritize?
This roundtable will explore how philanthropy and institutional capital can be directed most effectively during a period of global uncertainty. Participants will discuss where funding can have the greatest catalytic impact, how to balance risk and urgency, and what priorities should guide both philanthropists and institutional investors committed to advancing science-driven climate and health solutions.
Featuring: Jean Oelwang of Virgin Unite, Helen Mountford of ClimateWorks Foundation, Jared Blumenfeld of Waverly Street Foundation, Radhika Fox of North Star Strategies, Moira McDonald of the Walton Family Foundation, Jonathan Gillibrand formerly of the U.S. Department of State, Whitney Strauss of the AdvoCare Foundation, Alexandra Maher of Mercer, Jan Gerstenberger of the Trust for Public Land, and Jason Waskey of Blue Crab Strategies.
5 PM: Climate Communication in a Polarized World: Strategies that Build Trust and Drive Action
This roundtable will explore how to communicate climate science in ways that resonate across divides—building trust, countering misinformation, and inspiring meaningful action. Participants will share strategies from academia, media, philanthropy, and advocacy to identify what works in today’s fragmented information landscape.
Featuring: Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy; Bernadette Woods Placky, Chief Meteorologist, Climate Central; Dana R. Fisher, Director, Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University; Dominique Browning, Co-Founder & Director, Moms Clean Air Force; Carol Folt, President Emeritus, University of Southern California; Ticora Jones, Chief Science Officer, NRDC; Jenna DiPaolo, Chief Brand & Communications Officer, Ocean Conservancy; and Kasia Reterska, Senior Advisor, KRG Advisors.
6 PM: VIP Reception Catered by Michelin Star Chef, Salil Mehta
At 6:00 pm, the focus shifts to a VIP reception, catered by michelin-starred chef Salil Mehta. The evening will bring together leaders across science, business, policy, and culture to close the day’s conversations in an informal setting.
Original Content from Scientista
In addition to the live program, House of Scientista will also produce thought-provoking, science-forward, original content with high-level experts and leaders.
Conversations about Building Community Resilience in the Face of Extreme Events
Together with The Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University, Scientista will launch a four-part interview series, Conversations about Building Community Resilience in the Face of Extreme Events, hosted by Dr. Dana R. Fisher. The series will feature conversations with Erika Svendsen, Research Social Scientist and Manager, Yale Urban Climate Leadership Program; Andrew J. Kruczkiewicz, Co-Director, Sustainable and Resilient Living in an Era of Increasing Disasters Network, National Center for Disaster Preparedness; Laurian Farrell, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Coastal Resilience, NYC DEP; and Jane Lubchenco, former Administrator of NOAA and one of the world’s leading environmental scientists. Each conversation will highlight different dimensions of resilience—from urban green spaces to coastal infrastructure to global disaster preparedness—offering practical insights and forward-looking strategies for building stronger communities in the face of climate disruption.
Scientista Says!
We’re especially excited to debut Scientista Says—a new content format where experts respond directly to big claims and common misconceptions about climate, health, and science communication. These short, accessible segments will cut through the noise, explain the evidence, and make it easier to understand some of the most polarizing issues of our time.
All of this content will be released after Climate Week, extending the conversations and ideas from House of Scientista to a much wider audience. Stay tuned here for the launch of both the interview series and Scientista Says. We’ll be sharing highlights, behind-the-scenes stories, and fresh perspectives that carry forward the spirit of the House well beyond September.
This Is Just the Beginning
House of Scientista is just the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing platform for elevating women leading with science and creating space for evidence-based dialogue. We can’t wait to share more from the conversations, the reception, and the content series in the weeks ahead. Follow along here for updates, reflections, and exclusive insights coming out of Climate Week NYC.
Request an Invitation
We’ve been blown away by the response to House of Scientista. The event is already at capacity, but you can still RSVP to join our waitlist. If space opens up, we’ll reach out—and whether or not you’re in the room, we’ll be sharing highlights and ways to engage with the content after Climate Week.
House of Scientista is made possible through the generous support of We Don’t Have Time, Serendipity Foundation, Mercer, The Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University, Brown University School of Public Health, Carnegie Mellon University Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Clif Family Winery, Wayward Spirits, Siponey, and Kebab aur Sharab.