In celebration of UNESCO’s International Day of Light, Unite to Light will convene global leaders, innovators, and changemakers for the 2026 Illuminating Impact Symposium, a half-day event dedicated to advancing solutions at the intersection of light, sustainability, and global development.
The ticketed summit will take place on the morning of Friday, May 15, at Henley Hall at the Institute for Energy Efficiency at UCSB, and virtually. It will feature keynote conversations and curated panels exploring how access to light and clean energy can drive progress in health, education, climate resilience, and economic opportunity.
Aligned with the 2026 International Day of Light theme, “Light for a Sustainable Future,” the summit will highlight the essential role of light and power in improving lives: from cities in California to low-resource communities around the world.
“Access to light is access to opportunity,” said Megan Birney Rudert, President & CEO of Unite to Light. “This summit brings together leaders across sectors to not only celebrate progress, but to accelerate the solutions that will ensure clean, reliable energy reaches everyone, everywhere.”
The summit will feature three dynamic panels:
- Power for Gender, Health & Equity
- Innovation and Impact
- California’s Clean Energy Playbook
Featured participants include:
- David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission
- Dr. Lily Bui, Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience, Southern California Grantmakers
- Henry Red Cloud, Founder, Red Cloud Renewables
Bringing together leaders from across California and the global energy access community, the summit will also spotlight collaboration with impact partners including Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen, Solar Sister, World Telehealth Initiative, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – organizations at the forefront of advancing health, disaster response, and energy access worldwide.
“Reliable, clean energy is foundational to resilient communities,” said Sara Rossi, Managing Director for Direct Relief’s Health Resiliency Fund. “We’re proud to join this conversation and collaborate on solutions that protect and expand access to healthcare in vulnerable regions.”
The summit is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Oracle, whose leadership in innovation and sustainability helps drive forward impactful partnerships and solutions.
By bringing together leaders across climate, health, philanthropy, and policy, the Illuminating Impact Symposium aims to spark collaboration, elevate solutions, and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future powered by clean energy.
The summit is free but registration is required for both the in-person and virtual summit at: https://unitetolight.org/events/illuminatingimpact/