PHILADELPHIA, PA—Megan Maltenfort finds it a little amusing that she is regarded as a “subject matter expert” on sustainability, since she admits she's only been in her role as sustainability manager for laboratory supplies and services company VWR International for a few years. But she doesn't think it stops Millennials from having productive conversations about sustainability with older managers and executives.

“This has been part of the conversation for Millennials since we were younger,” she tells GlobeSt.com exclusively. “It might just be naturally part of our conversation where for Baby Boomers it might be a little more of a stretch to understand why this is important. The conversation is still happening and they are still receptive. It might just take a little more time to get them to understand the value of it all.”

Maltenfort is chairing a panel on “The Trials and Tribulations of Young, Cool Sustainability Leaders: The Now and the Future,” at this year's Tri-State Sustainability Symposium March 6 at Temple University. The daylong conference, hosted by the Delaware Valley Green Building Council, features panels on all facets of sustainability related to corporate operations as well as development of facilities and commercial properties.