Webinar recording coming soon!

In CGLR’s first webinar of 2025, we explored the role that major sports organizations can play in advancing sustainability. From energy use to waste generation, the environmental footprint of a single sports event can be immense. In some cases, the energy consumed and the waste produced during just one game can rival that of an entire city’s daily consumption. With that scale of impact comes an even greater opportunity to drive change! 

With millions of fans and large-scale operations, professional sports have the potential to make a significant impact on environmental responsibility—and the Cleveland Cavaliers are setting the standard for what it means to “green” a major sports organization.

In this webinar, Danielle Doza, VP of Sustainability and Environmental Services for the Cleveland Cavaliers, discussed how the Cleveland Cavaliers are tackling challenges head-on through innovative sustainability initiatives that not only reduce their environmental footprint but also inspire fans, businesses, and other teams to take action.

In this webinar, we learned:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers’ sustainability strategy and how they’re working to reduce energy use, minimize waste, and promote eco-friendly practices
• The scale of environmental impact that major sports events can have—and how teams can leverage their influence to make a positive difference
• Key challenges faced by sports organizations in implementing sustainable practices
• How the sports industry can engage fans and communities to promote sustainability beyond the stadium
• The importance of partnerships and collaborations that accelerate progress

SPEAKER:

Danielle Doza, Vice President, Sustainability and Environmental Services, Cleveland Cavaliers

Danielle Doza is the Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Services for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, the first dedicated senior level sustainability position in the NBA. At the Cavs, Danielle works across the company on sustainable operations, procurement, and reporting, supporting the marketing and communications teams, and integrating sustainability into partnership development. Danielle was recently recognized by Sports Business Journal as “One to Watch” for women in sports and sustainability. 

Prior to joining the Cavs, Danielle was a corporate sustainability consultant as the co-founder of a small firm, where she helped manufacturing and consumer product companies with sustainability strategy development, reporting, and project-based challenges.

Danielle is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University College of Law. She received an executive certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy.

MODERATOR:

Lora Shrake, Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability, Council of the Great Lakes Region

Lora Shrake is the Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability for the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), where she is working with a growing network of business leaders to connect across sustainability issues and support the advancement of cross-sector solutions. Some of the programmatic areas include circular economy, water stewardship, and climate change and decarbonization.

She also facilitates CGLR’s monthly business and sustainability webinar series, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and amplifying regional best practice.