Incoming Partnership Board Chair Amy Chronis sat down with President and CEO Bob Harvey following the organization’s Annual Meeting this week to dig deeper into some of the topics discussed in the main event. In her speech, Chronis called out Houston’s opportunity to embrace the innovation transformation that is driving the reordering of the world’s global metros. The fireside chat covered a number of issues, from digital transformation and energy transition to addressing racial inequity and upskilling the region’s workforce. Chronis, who serves as Houston Managing Partner for Deloitte, and Harvey also took questions from the virtual audience. 

Watch the full conversation on the right and read some of the highlights and answers to audience questions below. 

Why the focus on digital transformation as the key priority this year and what this will mean for Houston over the next several years?

Chronis said while Houston-based organizations have made significant contributions to digital transformation over the last 10 to 15 years, we can do better. In the next phase, she said, much will be focused on innovation along business-to-business companies—a traditional strength in Houston that gives this region an opportunity to lead. 

How can Houstonians help spread the word about what Houston has going for it? 

“Houston’s a great global city,” Chronis said, with a great quality of life thanks to strengths in the arts, culinary scene, parks and more. But she says too often Houstonians don’t celebrate what exists here, along with the affordability factor, like we should. “We can all be advocates for what makes Houston special.” 

Discuss the Partnership’s response to the death of Houston-native George Floyd last summer and the ensuing conversation around racial equity. 

Harvey said the Partnership was encouraged to listen before acting and, to that end, engaged a wide cross-section of community organizations, activist groups, minority entrepreneurs, board members and others to better understand what role the organization should play. The Partnership then formed a Racial Equity Committee of its board co-chaired by Prairie View A&M University President Dr. Ruth Simmons and Shell Oil Co. President Gretchen Watkins to help lead the new effort, One Houston Together. The organization also created a new staff leadership role—Senior Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion—and hired DEI leader LaTanya Flix for the position. Harvey said the Partnership established eight principles of racial equity and so far, nearly 100 Houston-area companies have pledged to adopt the principles. 

What can Houston learn from Austin in attracting players in the tech sector? 

Chronis talked about Austin’s reputation as an attractive city and long foundation as a tech hub. “Houston can really benefit from good PR,” she said, both among internally and externally to emphasize how much the city has advanced in key areas. Chronis added that as younger generations look for careers with purpose, they should look to Houston as a place that solves big challenges in industries from technology to life sciences. 

What is the outlook on the global energy transition to a low-carbon future and the opportunity to position Houston as a leader in this space? 

While Houston has long been a leader in hydrocarbons, its knowledge base, research capacity and infrastructure in energy make the region prime for leading the transition, Chronis said. She added that the transition is only going to accelerate under the Biden Administration which has already taken major steps in the arena—from rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement to committing to invest $2 trillion over the next four years in clean energy infrastructure. Chronis said there are a number of channels where Houston can operate to ensure its leading—from supporting new investments in alternative fuels and renewables to contributing to the knowledge to create new technologies in energy generation. 

How is the Partnership’s public policy work at the local, state and federal levels is prepared to support the advancement of energy transition? 

Harvey touched on the need to create the right environment conducive to a successful energy transition—one that is gradual but deliberate. “With the Texas Legislative session getting ramped up, energy competitiveness will be a major focus for the Partnership in Austin,” he said. The organization is working with lawmakers on legislation around permitting, regulatory and energy infrastructure solutions that are needed to strengthen Texas' energy competitiveness. Harvey said to truly advance the energy transition, legislation should also position the Houston region to lead the development of carbon capture, use, and storage technology. At the local level, the Partnership is working with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to advance the city’s Climate Action Plan. And at the federal level, the organization will work with the incoming Biden Administration to position Houston as a leader in the energy transition to a low-carbon future. “We intend to show that no other city is as well equipped with the infrastructure, knowledge and ability to scale technology as Houston to meet this challenge,” Harvey said. 
 

See a broad recap of the Partnership's 2021 Annual Meeting.