Look around. With more and more buildings going up every year, we are becoming a world of concrete backyards and artificial trees. More buildings mean more energy, but what kind of energy do we choose to generate for these ubiquitous buildings? Electricity consumed by buildings in the United States will represent 75% of total electicity by 2025, therefore, our decisions do matter. Traditionally, buildings implied an increase in carbon dioxide emissions because more energy meant burning more fossil fuels. In 2008, buildings in the United States contributed 38.9% of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions. http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/gbstats.pdf. But we are changing the way buildings and energy affect our quality of environment and quality of life. With options such as Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (PACE-R) financing, property owners are incentivized to make the right decision when upgrading their buildings, the greener decision.
PACE-R is a term used to describe a novel approach for funding energy efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency projects. These projects are 100% financed by an outside entity; financing is treated similar to a tax assessment and have terms that are generally longer than the useful life of the improvement (up to 20yrs); and the assessment remains part of the property regardless of the changing of ownership. By expanding PACE-R financing from the current (exclusive) municipality authority regulations, and by including PACE-R service providers, the financing process is much more feasible for property owners to jump onboard. A new approach will also shift the burden of administration away from small town building inspectors or planning departments to a larger authority with state-wide experience in financing building projects, such as MassDevelopment.
BILL S 2255 (S177): “An Act fueling job creation through energy efficiency,” will enable private lenders to put money into a secure investment, which will result in improved energy performance, environmental responsibility and resilience for our building stock in Massachusetts. The PACE-R bill was recently reported to the Senate Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy, though no hearing has yet been scheduled.
When passed, the Massachusetts commercial and industrial PACE-R program will help:
Create Jobs
Increase Property Values
Encourage Private Investment in Energy Efficiency, Renewables & Resiliency
Reinforce the Role of Massachusetts as a Leader in Green Building
USGBC MA Chapter is advocating for improved PACE-R legislation in Massachusetts to kickstart the implementation of projects by giving the state-wide bonding authority to MassDevelopment, which already has capacity for these types of financial instruments. PACE-R programs process applications, qualify projects and provide or arrange financing. Through PACE-R programs, Massachusetts will be able to expedite green projects and bring the green back into our backyards!
2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony
Our energy efficiency programs are turning heads, gaining recognition and, most importantly, keeping our customers happy …
More than 900 people gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. April 20 to celebrate businesses and organizations that are helping protect the
environment through energy efficiency. A shining star among the crowd was National Grid – recognized this year as an individual organization making a difference in this critical area.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honors a select group of efficiency leaders each year at its annual ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony.
“We were so excited to win as an individual entity,” says Michelle Eburn, Residential Energy Efficiency senior marketing analyst, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “We’re proud of the way our programs continue to meet our company’s and customers’ goals, and how they continue to evolve.”
Michelle explains: “We’ve been focusing more and more on the ‘emotional connection’ we can make with homeowners. We explain to them how they can make their homes better and more comfortable, in addition to saving money on their energy bills.”
Spreading the word and selling the benefits
The EPA recognized National Grid for our work to educate customers about the importance of energy efficiency. Our efforts increase awareness and adoption of ENERGY STAR products. They include:
Selling nearly 33,000 ENERGY STAR certified light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and almost 10,000 ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in Rhode Island last year, thanks to limited-time social shopping initiatives.
Promoting smart grid, energy efficiency programs, ENERGY STAR, and the Sustainability Hub’s first anniversary at the ENERGY STAR Change the World Tour event we hosted at our Sustainability Hub in Worcester, MA last October.
Promoting high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, central air conditioning systems, water heaters and more in our ‘Part of Your Family’ campaign for Heating and Cooling (with many eligible equipment models ENERGY STAR certified).
Featuring radio spots that build ENERGY STAR awareness, as well as comprehensive multimedia marketing campaigns including newspaper, online banner, and Facebook ads; Facebook posts; and email blasts.
“National Grid’s efforts to promote ENERGY STAR products are helping consumers make smarter buying decisions,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “National Grid is helping Americans save money, save energy and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.”
Marketing and Customer Experience Vice President Lori Acker put it simply in congratulating her team: “It’s so exciting to see external recognition for your fantastic efforts. ENERGY STAR has great awareness, and our affiliation with them helps build strong credibility to our energy efficiency efforts and brand. Well done!”
In addition to Michelle, special kudos to Marketing’s Sara Merena, Kate Ringe-Welch and Victoria Viviani for helping make it all happen!
Net Metering, one of USGBC MA Chapter's three current advocacy priorities, took center stage this month as Bills S-1770 and H-2852, sponsored by Senator James Eldridge and Representatives Thomas Calter & Paul Mark came into focus. The bills address the net metering caps and are aligned to the State’s current 1600 MW solar target. The legislation would allow more companies to take advantage of the 30% federal investment tax credit before the end of 2016. In addition, the bill would also create a new 20% target of State’s electricity to be derived from solar by Dec 31, 2025 and establish an energy storage incentive program to commence Jan 1, 2016. Innovative programs such as energy storage address the problems arising during peak electric generation and capacity periods.
Net metering caps are maintained by State law, which requires each distribution company to separately limit or “cap” public and private solar net metering eligibility. Under the amendments to Bill S-2214, the Private Net Metering Cap is currently 4% and the Public Net Metering Cap at 5%. Each cap is calculated by the percentage of each company’s highest historical peak load, or the most electricity consumed by the distribution company’s ratepayers at any one time. In the 2014-2015 legislative session, Bill H-4185 was not passed and many celebrated, though only for a short while. The main purpose for the bill was to remove the previous ceiling of a 3% cap on net metering relative to peak load of each of the Massachusetts utility companies. Without expanding, or removing the cap, as H-4185 would allow, the rapidly expanding solar PV industry in MA could come to a grinding halt. The bill trades removing the cap for allowing the Department of Public Utilities to find a suitable minimum bill for all utility customers in the Commonwealth to support grid reliability. It also replaces the SREC program with a new declining tariff incentive. USGBC MA article
Although net metering encourages ratepayers to move toward a more efficient and sustainable energy generation system through renewable resources, the decrease in grid dependency poses a threat to utility companies, ultimately affecting the nonparticipating ratepayers. Raising or eliminating the net metering caps would allow more renewable energy investment, support environmental goals, and create green jobs. However, this could also lead to utilities implementing fixed monthly charges to cover fixed capital expenditures, which would increase the retail rates. In the Massachusetts Net Metering and Solar Task Force Report 4/30/15– Baker-Polito Administration stated that it “does not support raising the net metering caps in the short term absent a long term sustainable solution . . . that effectively balances promoting clean energy and lowering costs to ratepayers.” When net customers are not paying for distribution costs, they are obtaining a “free-ride” on the rest of the ratepayers rates. Utilities are slowly providing more services to their customers to accommodate the switch to a system that effectively manages renewable energy. Innovative solutions such as battery storage, a modernized distribution system, and advanced research on energy efficiency strategies are promising, but costly.
Please stay with us as we monitor the developments at the State House and as we advocate to increase renewable energy options for buildings in Massachusetts, while ensuring a safe, reliable and appropriately paid-for electricity grid for everyone in the Commonwealth.
The Homes at Old Colony are new affordable apartments that offer energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impact. The project team achieved these goals through advanced construction techniques, sustainable materials and optimized systems designed to meet LEED and ENERGY STAR certification requirements at the highest levels.
Leading the effort, Beacon Communities Development LLC successfully partnered with the Boston Housing Authority to provide the experience and management necessary to transform the former defunct public housing complex into a new, affordable, sustainable and safe neighborhood. The Architectural Team, Inc. implemented a thoughtful master plan which replaced the 1940's barracks-like brick complexes of the original Old Colony project with a livable, accessible, vibrant multi-family community that fits seamlessly into the surrounding context and promotes engagement with the extended neighborhood. New Ecology, Inc. provided LEED and ENERGY STAR design guidance and management from project inception through occupancy, focused on maximizing attainable, cost effective sustainability and energy efficiency measures throughout the project.
Sustainable design strategies employed to meet the challenging goals set during the LEED charrette included:
maximizing the benefits of the well-connected site location through attentive neighborhood design
the extensive use of recycled and regional materials
ultra-low VOC materials throughout
a highly efficient and well-sealed envelope with water-blown spray foam insulation
low-flow fixtures and minimized irrigation requirements for landscaping
high efficiency fan coils and HRVs for each unit for the lowrise buildings
centralized ERVs for the mid-rise apartment buildings.
The residential buildings at Phase One of the Homes at Old Colony achieved a Platinum level certification under LEED for Homes, and the Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center achieved a Gold level certification under LEED BD&C New Construction. Construction on Phases Two A and B were completed in Summer 2014, and these phases
achieved a Platinum certification under LEED for Homes and LEED for Homes Mid-Rise, while Phase Two C is nearing completion for Summer 2015, and is anticipating LEED Platinum certification as well. Both Phases One and Two of the redeveloped Old Colony community are entering the final stage of review under LEED for Neighborhood Development, and anticipate a Gold level certification.
Photo credits: Andy Ryan
Special thanks to Luke McKneally and Lauren Baumann at New Ecology for contributing to this project (and post)!
Cherie Ching is joining the USGBC MA Chapter as our Summer Advocacy Fellow – in an internship funded by the MassCEC. She recently completed her second year at Suffolk University Law School (SULS) in the Juris Doctor Program, and is concentrating in Legal Technology and Innovation. At SULS, Cherie has researched and studied the effects of net metering for energy efficiency and environmental protection while taking courses such as International Environmental Law and Technology, Energy, and the Environment Law. She is an editorial writer for the Journal of High Technology Law, currently working on her research Reinforcing the Net: Net Metering to Advance Deregulation in an Electric World (forthcoming note, 2016).
As our Advocacy Fellow, she is helping us improve our website resources related to our advocacy priorities of improving net metering policy, net zero building codes, and PACE financing. If you have a question of concern about our advocacy activities, please reach out. Don't forget to add our Green Building Policy Forum to your calendar – coming right up on 6/23/15 at the State House.
Cherie is excited to participate in the Chapter’s mission of promoting a network of Green Buildings as well as the legislation that supports them. Feel free to connect with Cherie at cching@usgbcma.org.
We are extremely thankful that our companion National Grid partnered with us as a Champion-level sponsor. Take a look at their awesome video about all the funding they offer to design teams to incorporate energy savings in the early stages of their projects. One of the main themes of the forum, delivering clean building and clean energy to our world long into the future, is a central tenant of National Grid's philosophy– so they were the perfect organization to partner with for this great event!
National Grid, as USGBCMA's newest– and only– Platinum Sponsor, is an international electricity and gas company based in the UK and northeastern US. It plays a vital role in connecting millions of people safely, reliably and efficiently to the energy they use. With its exceptionally large customer base, National Grid is nonetheless committed to delivering clean energy. In the company's words: “We are at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society – delivering clean energy to support our world long into the future.” The group seeks to embed sustainability in its strategy and long-term vision, in order to preserve natural resources and respect the interests of our communities.
Read more about National Grid on its website, or in our blog.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) was one of the firms that agreed to sponsor our Building Tech Forum last month, where we discussed sustainability, green building, and more! SGH is a group of architects and engineers that design, investigate, and rehabilitate constructed works in the United States, Canada, and in more than thirty additional countries. Their goals are simple: earn the lasting trust of their clients, gain the respect of their most capable peers, and further the standards of practice in all areas of their profession. Their industry-recognized experts with diverse specialties
collaborate with clients and project team members,
engage our extensive expertise,
focus on delivering successful results, and
respond to project challenges.
Read more about SGH and see some of their impressive buildings on their website, and find them in our blog!
The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts, the committee of the USGBC which connects people new to the industry, produced a top-notch building tour on Thursday, May 21st. Attendees were privileged to enter into one of the next darlings of the biotech cluster and innovation scene which is Kendall Sq. It was great to get into the building and tour around and see many green features.
Presenters included:
Christian Blomquist, Payette
Jack Sherman, Sunrise Erectors
Melissa Hinton, Gilbane Building Co.
Peter Kujawski, VIEW Glass
The building is really 2 structures joined by a “Winter Garden” atrium, and totals approximately 440,000sf. There will be some retail on the ground floor and the winter garden will be publicly accessible linking Rogers St to Binney St.
This large scale high-tech laboratory project in two buildings is seeking LEED Silver certification and will also include a below-grade parking structure. Executed through a highly collaborative delivery approach, the project is utilizing a 100 percent virtual design and construction platform. We will hear from members of the design & construction team. During peak project demand, 15-20 individuals leverage daily work planning and real time model-based collaboration to enhance the project delivery.
A vital component of the BIM services we'll hear about include underground and temporary construction coordination. Situated on a tight, urban site, the project location poses unique challenges. With contaminated soil conditions, a high water table, as well as buried storage tanks and abandoned foundations, mass excavation was a project in itself. Realizing that the vast majority of design information was only available in 2D format, the contractor began with modeling all underground systems, temporary construction, dewatering wells, construction clearance and safety zones, and even the tower crane foundation and swing radius. As a result, this process has allowed the entire team to make smart and timely decisions to maintain the project budget.
Thank you to the organizing team, led by Suzy O'Leary, all the tour guides, and those who helped stay late to wrap things up, and especially to Pete Kujawski of VIEW Windows for underwriting the group dinner at ZA following the tour! Good time and good cheer had by all. See you next time!
This week we partnered with the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (MOSES) to provide a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Course to a group of 30+ professionals who work for various state agencies. This was a fast-paced class for professionals who may have little previous knowledge of the LEED rating system, green building operations and green building construction. The USGBC MA Chapter is committed to providing structured programs for professionals to pursue accreditation in the LEED System – both the Green Associate and subsequently the AP with specialty status.
The course was conducted by Chris Liston, a USGBC MA Board Member. Liston imparted his own experience with LEED and sustainable design from his impressive portfolio of projects and lessons learned (more about Chris below). The course covered the extent of the LEED Green Associate Exam and prepared this group to confidently take the exam.
We look forward to working with the engineering professionals in the Commonwealth to advance our mission green buildings for all within a generation.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Chris Liston for taking time out of his schedule to teach green building and to Joe Dorant of MOSES for helping make this class happen.
About the Instructor
Chris Liston is the Director of Energy & Sustainability for CBRE’s Bank of America Account. In his previous role with the CBRE Sustainability Programs Group, Chris planned and executed LEED EB projects. Chris’ LEED EB project work includes One Boston Place (World's First LEED EB O&M Gold Building), Bank of America Plaza (First LEED EB in North Carolina), Collier Center (First LEED EB in Phoenix, Winner of 2010 BOMA International Earth Award), and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Finalist for 2011 BOMA International Earth Award, First LEED EB certified Federal Reserve Bank.) Chris is based in Boston, MA, and he can be reached via email at chris.liston@cbre.com.
About the Exam
The LEED Green Associate Exam is a 2-hour closed book exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam is developed by the Green Building Certification Institute and administered at local Prometric testing centers. More information about our LEED Green Associate Exam Prep is available HERE.
I am delighted to introduce Celis Brisbin as a member of our team and to celebrate the growing capacity of our organization to make a difference. Celis brings a specific knowledge of the solar industry from his experience from several years in the clean energy field, both in NH and MA markets. He is very familiar with our net metering advocacy campaign and is quickly picking up where we are with PACE+R and Net Zero Building Codes.
Celis has a knack for sustainability. Though he commutes on the T, he modified his Honda Insight for efficiency and is fascinated by hybrid and energy efficient technology in the transportation space. Some may recognize him from recently participating in the MassCEC Hackathon on a team with other MA Chapter members where he worked on a building automation project for solar powered buildings.
Celis is excited to support our programming areas of education, events, membership, and fundraising. We have a lot of work to do together – as staff and as a community of passionate volunteers. Our mission brings us together and helps us achieve “More Green Buildings!” I hope that you all have a chance to meet Celis and welcome him on board.
Annie is widely regarded within the marketplace as an expert in third-party verification and sustainable program development. She previously held positions like Vice President of Certification Services at GreenCircle Certified, LLC until starting her own independent organization in 2017. She sits as a technical advisor to: the US Green Building Council’s Materials and Resources TAG, the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), Clean Production Action and the GreenScreen Program, the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, the ASTM E 60 Committee, and the Collaborative for High Performing Schools National Technical Committee.
LAUREN HILDEBRAND
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
Lauren Hildebrand is a Sustainability Director at SWA. Her work focuses on sustainable and high performance residential and commercial building design, construction, renovation, and operation. Ms. Hildebrand’s expertise includes: sustainable design integration; indoor air quality and energy performance testing; and implementing project certification for both commercial and residential programs, such as LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, NYSERDA, NJ Clean Energy, and Enterprise Green Communities. Awards presented to her clients include the 2013 USGBC NJ Urban Green Project Award. Ms. Hildebrand works as a LEED® for Homes Green Rater and verifies implementation of the LEED® for Homes criteria. She is an integral part of the initial strategic planning sessions and workshops with builders, architects, and homeowners based on the LEED for Homes program. She also partners with and implements criteria for Enterprise Green Communities (EGCC), NYSERDA’s Multi-Family Performance Program, and the ENERGY STAR® Multi-Family High-Rise Program Certification. Ms. Hildebrand also has experience with a variety of commercial and mixed use projects, including LEED® for New Construction, Commercial Interior, Core and Shell, and Schools. In addition to her project experience and program guidance, Ms. Hildebrand manages classroom training and curriculum development for architects, owners, developers and building management staff on green and high performance building design strategies, cost effective building system operation, and energy-saving maintenance practices.
MICHAEL GRYNIUK
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Michael Gryniuk, PE is a Structural Engineer at LeMessurier in Boston. As the leader of LeMessurier’s Sustainability practice, he is responsible for strategy, project consulting, and education for LeMessurier. He is currently on the Steering Committee of Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Sustainability Committee of ASCE and currently serves as Chair of the Structural Engineers (SE 2050) Commitment Program Working Group whose aim to establish a national commitment program for structural engineers for the purpose of achieving net zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. Mike taught for many years at the Boston Architectural College. His current projects include the 2 million square foot Hub on Causeway development as well as upcoming developments of Kenmore Square. Mike has also led several other projects for institutions including Boston College, Holy Cross, RISD and UNH. Mike attended Syracuse University and Tufts University.
ANNE PECK
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
As Vice President in AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group, Ms. Peck is responsible for physical property inspections, engineering and mechanical system evaluations and environmental audits on potential investments for all commercial property types. She is also responsible for the review and analysis of energy audits and LEED gap analysis with respect to acquisitions, and oversees the scope and results of third-party due diligence reports on property acquisitions. For development projects, Ms. Peck is responsible for the evaluation of construction documents to assess the constructability and recommend sustainable products and practices. She is responsible for overseeing the construction of new development projects from AEW’s initial involvement through closeout and warranty completions. Ms. Peck assists asset managers with large capital improvement projects or physical problems at various properties. In addition, Ms. Peck Co-Chairs AEW’s Sustainability Committee and provides guidance and assistance with most sustainability initiatives with the objective of reducing operating costs, improving indoor air quality and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. She sits on the GRESB Real Estate Benchmark Committee in North America and assists with all sustainability reporting for AEW. Ms. Peck is a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor with LEED AP Certification, and passed her FE exam towards a mechanical engineer/registered professional engineering license.
ANDREA ALAOWNIS
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Andrea Alaownis is an Interior Designer with the Jacobs, Boston, MA office. After graduating from Radford University, she has concentrated on commercial projects through all phases of design and construction. As a WELL Accredited Professional, she participated in assisting the Jacobs Boston office to achieve WELL V1 Gold, Fitwel 3 Stars, and LEED V4 Gold certifications and continues to educate the design community and clients on wellness through design.
KIMBERLY LEWIS
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
As Senior Vice President for Market Transformation and Development in North America, Kimberly Lewis knows better than anyone that market transformation begins with community. Kimberly is laser focused on diversity, inclusion, equity and advancing transparency and excellence. By honing our community’s focus on collaborative impact, Kimberly incorporates people‐centric strategies to provide the organization and movement with a strong foundation of stakeholder based support.
Kimberly’s efforts encourage innovation in the market and challenge all of our community members to go above and beyond what was possible yesterday, to define the built environment of tomorrow. Kimberly knows that when we celebrate our leaders and advocate for growth across sectors, regions, and programs, taking care to bring our best to underserved populations and communities, we achieve real and lasting market transformation of the highest order.
To this end, Kimberly directs all of USGBC’s local communities, volunteers, and emerging professionals around the world, delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable cities and communities worldwide.
Kimberly was the founder of the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, which is now globally represented in five international markets. She has served on the advisory boards of Starwood Hotels, Marriott International Hotels and the convention and visitors bureaus in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Denver. She is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), where she has served on the CSR task force.
Kimberly serves on the board of directors for Groundswell and is the former chair of the board of trustees of the Green Building Foundation. Committed to healthy communities and equitable access to green buildings regardless of income level, Kimberly has been recognized with numerous awards. In April 2011, Kimberly received prestigious recognition as the White House Champion of Change for Clean Energy. She was also named Glamour Magazine 70th Anniversary 70 Women Leaders to Know in Sustainability. Most recently Kimberly was recognized with GB&D Magazine’s 2018 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award.
JIM STANISLASKI
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston
Jim Stanislaski, AIA LEED AP BD+C is an Architect at Gensler in Boston. As co-leader of Gensler’s northeast region Design Resilience practice, he is responsible for strategy, project consulting, and education for over 1,000 staff in four offices. He is currently a Director on the Board of USGBC MA and a member of the Architecture Boston Magazine Editorial Board. Jim is a former President of AIA MA and has served on two National Academies research panels for renewable energy and energy efficiency at airports. As a past co-chair of the Boston Society of Architects Committee on the Environment (BSA/COTE), Jim led the AIA 2030 Professional Series at the BSA, serving to educate local designers on strategies to achieve net positive energy goals for buildings. Jim has also testified before state and city government committees to advocate for environmental legislation and regulation. Jim started his career as a US Air Force officer and attended Syracuse University.
CARLIE BULLOCK-JONES
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
Carlie Bullock-Jones, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, is the founder and managing Principal of Ecoworks Studio and has dedicated her entire career to bringing about a greener, healthier built environment. As a nationally known expert in sustainability, Carlie has facilitated on numerous award-winning projects. With a passion for green sports, Carlie has spearheaded LEED certification efforts for several stadiums, arenas, and training facilities for the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS and higher education projects. Most notably, Carlie was the LEED consultant for the new home of the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz stadium, which achieved the highest LEED Platinum score of any sports facility in the world.
As a LEED Faculty mentor for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the first external WELL Faculty for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), Carlie is a highly sought-after speaker and writer for national events and publications. She has been extensively involved in the development of LEED standards over the years, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for USGBC and GBCI, assisting in course curriculum, exam development and reference guide creation. In 2012, Carlie was inducted by USGBC as a LEED Fellow, one of 77 in the world at that time. Carlie is also one of the first WELL Accredited Professionals on the planet, demonstrating expertise and extensive knowledge of human health and wellness in the built environment. As an early adopter of the WELL Building Standard, Carlie facilitated WELL certification efforts for the 27th, 37th and 100th WELL certified projects in the world (Silver, Gold and Platinum respectively). Most recently, Carlie was the recipient of the 2018 Inaugural IWBI WELL Leadership Recognition Award.
KOMAL KOTWAL
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
Komal Kotwal is a Sustainable Design Leader and Project Manager at HOK with over 13 years of experience. Komal has led sustainable design and LEED Certification efforts for over 2M square feet including 1+M sf. of LEED Platinum projects and two Net-Zero projects. With the intent of bringing the human connection to sustainability, Komal currently focuses on intentional design to address human behavior and foster physical, mental, and emotional health. As a WELL AP, Komal is one of HOK’s leads in promoting and practicing health and wellness in architecture. Komal has served on the AIA Houston Chapter’s Board of Directors, Texas USGBC Regional Council and on USGBC’s Greenbuild Program Committee among others. A strong advocate for equity and inclusivity, Komal serves on HOK’s firm-wide Diversity Advisory Council and is a recent addition to HOK’s Management Board.
Speaking Engagements
TSA Convention 2016: Design for Healthy & Livable Communities
Gulf Coast Green Conference 2015: Integrating LEED ND Communities
CSI Chapter Annual Meeting 2014 : 2030 Commitment and how to get there
American Society of Indian Engineers ( ASIE) 2016: Getting to LEED Platinum
University of Houston, 2018: Staying Ahead of the Commercial Energy Code
Texas A&M University, 2016: Integrating Sustainability: A path to Net-zero
ANITA SNADER
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Anita Snader is the Environmental Sustainability Manager of Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster, PA. She manages the sustainability strategy for Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Solutions, and serves as an internal environmental advocate, and environmental spokesperson. She is a LEED accredited professional, and well versed in the LEED rating systems and USGBC initiatives. As co-chair of Armstrong’s LEED EB team, she led the corporation to a LEED EB Platinum for their Headquarters building in Lancaster, PA in June 2007, and served on the team obtaining LEED EB recertification in 2014.
Recently, Anita has led Armstrong in a new initiative focusing on the Health and Wellbeing of occupants called Better Spaces. She drives the material health and transparency efforts, and created and manages Armstrong’s commitment through our SUSTAIN™ portfolio of high performance ceiling systems.
Anita joined Armstrong in 1997. Her experience is in Marketing, Research, Product Development and Customer Satisfaction both in the consumer goods, hospitality, building products and advertising industries. Her passion centers in developing strategies for reducing our impact on the environment through product and process innovation, and is always looking at opportunities to share knowledge and innovation with others.
Speaking Engagements: • Mindful Materials Series (2018 – NYC, Chicago)
• USGBC Central PA – 2017 – Green Con – Healthier Buildings
• USGBC GreenBuild – 2016 – Los Angeles, CA – LEEDv4 and Material transparency
• Living Future – Seattle 2016 – Declare and Living Building Challenge
• Costa Rica Green Building Congress – May 2015 – Materials and LEEDv4
• Canada Green Building Conference – June 2015 – Panel on Material Transparency
• USGBC GreenBuild – 2014 New Orleans, PA – two sessions
• State of Green Business – 2011
• PA Green Growth Partnerships, Pittsburgh, PA 2009
• PennTap, Green Workshop, Harrisburg, PA 2008
• Central PA USGBC Chapter Construction Waste Workshop, 2008
• LEED for Existing Building Workshop, Lancaster, PA, November 2007
• NeoCon East, Green Building Workshop, Baltimore, MD, October 2007
• ICA International Conference – Madrid- Acoustics and Green Building, September 2007
• ASHRAE ‘007 Conference – Long Beach, CA – Acoustics and Green Building, May 2007
• GreenBuild 2006 – Got LCA?, November 2006
• Local Green Building Council of PA –LEED for Schools Workshop, October 2006
• Various Recycling Summits throughout the nation
• Customer and sales presentations each month
Tune in:
Listen to a podcast interview with Anita Snader here.
DR. JOSEPH ALLEN
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Dr. Allen researches community and occupational exposures and health risks related to a broad range of chemical, biological, physical and radiological stressors. In particular, he focuses on the built environment, emissions from building materials and consumer products, and building system performance, each of which has the potential for both positive and negative impacts on human health, well-being and productivity. He is the Director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and faculty director of the Harvard Sensors for Health research group. Dr. Allen teaches a class on the Impact of Buildings on Human Health, and is the faculty advisor for a new initiative out of Harvard’s Office for Sustainability – the Harvard Healthier Building Materials Academy.
HEATHER HENRIKSEN
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Heather Henriksen has served as Harvard University’s chief sustainability officer since 2008, advising the President and senior leadership on strategy and building an organizational change enterprise. Heather leads the Office for Sustainability which oversees the implementation of the Harvard’s comprehensive Sustainability Plan (co-created with faculty and students in 2014) and the University’s ambitious new Climate Action Plan (to be fossil fuel-free by 2050 and fossil fuel-neutral by 2026) which builds upon the 2016 achievement of Harvard’s initial science-based climate goal.
The Office for Sustainability has expanded a multi-disciplinary living laboratory research program that partners with faculty and students to use the campus as a test bed for piloting and sharing innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges. A nationally recognized leader in healthier building materials, Heather is leading an effort with faculty within Harvard to translate research into practice related to heath in the built environment including a focus on addressing the use of chemicals of concern in common building products. Through this work, Harvard is partnering with business and non-profit leaders as they strive to transform the marketplace for a healthier built environment. Heather also advises courses throughout Harvard College and the professional graduate schools and speaks nationally and internationally on sustainability.
Heather is on the Board of Directors of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative. Heather serves as Advisory Committee Co-chair of the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), and she is a member of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). Heather holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
LAUREN M. WALLACE
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Lauren M. Wallace is a Principal and the Director of Certifications and Consulting at Epsten Group, Inc., where she has helped facilitate sustainability and wellness measures for thousands of projects around the globe. Ms. Wallace is a USGBC and WELL Faculty member, WELL AP, LFA, LEED AP BD+C, LEED Project Reviewer, BREEAM USA In-Use Assessor, Fitwel Ambassador, Parksmart Advisor, and TRUE Advisor. With a background in Architecture, Ms. Wallace has more than ten years of experience in sustainability. She speaks regularly to audiences with varying expertise about implementing change in the building industry, focusing on technical information and application.
BECCA RUSHIN
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Becca Rushin is the Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Jamestown where she leads ESG initiatives through the Jamestown Green program and the Jamestown Charitable Foundation. Prior to joining Jamestown in 2012, Ms. Rushin worked as a local government consultant for Clark Patterson Lee, where she served as Community Development Coordinator and Sustainability Commission Staff Liaison for the City of Dunwoody. She is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and holds a LEED AP O+M credential. Ms. Rushin is an active volunteer with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Environmental Policy from Sewanee: the University of the South and a Master of Science in Sustainable Development: Environmental Policy and Management from Utrecht University.
JODI SMITS ANDERSON
Director of Sustainability Programs, DASNY | LEED AP BD+C
Jodi Smits Anderson is the Director of Sustainability Programs for DASNY, an architect, LEED AP BD+C, AIA member, lifetime member of NESEA, past regional and national U.S. Green Building Council committee member, wife, mom, hiker, kayaker, knitter, and storyteller. She has spoken at the ILFI unconference in Seattle, WA, at the NACUBO conference in Austin, TX, at the first Wellness in Design conference in San Diego, CA, and several times each at Greenbuild, NESEA’s Building Energy Boston, and the NYS Green Building Conference, and has been a guest teacher at SUNY ESF, RPI, Ithaca College, NYU, Cornell, and SUNY Albany. She is a NY Energy Code trainer, the 2018 recipient of the Green Building Advocate award, and has assisted in research and writing for Project Drawdown, which cites the 100 market-proven ways we already have in our toolkit to reduce CO2 in our atmosphere. She has a featured article appearing in the Journal of Green Building’s V14 N3 in July of 2019, on Excellence in Building Envelopes, and is currently working on a ZNE renovation to an existing residence hall, a project intended to change how we do renovation projects in New York state. Jodi’s goal is to understand and incorporate informed sustainable practices into design, construction, and living, and to share whatever she has learned and learn still more from whomever will talk with her.
JIM NEWMAN
Founder and Principal, Linnean Solutions | LEED AP, O+M; EcoDistrict AP
Jim is the Founder and Principal at Linnean Solutions, a mission-driven firm that helps local governments, organizations, and communities reach sustainability and resilience goals. Jim’s twenty years of experience includes carbon mitigation planning and life cycle assessment; sustainability and resilience building certification; climate action and adaptation planning for municipalities, agencies, and organizations; resilience analysis, policy, and design standard development; EcoDistrict planning and management; and stakeholder engagement processes to strengthen communities. As a Living Environments in Natural, Social, and Economic Systems (LENSES) Facilitator and Trainer, Jim regularly leads community planning workshops, and trains others in becoming effective facilitators.
Previous to Linnean, Jim worked with BuildingGreen as the Director of Strategy, where he led the development and introduction of most of BuildingGreen’s online products including LEEDuser.com, BuildingGreen Suite, and the High Performance Buildings Database. Jim is a founding board member of the Resilient Design Institute, and a key author of several influential resilience reports and tools—including the Building Resilience in Boston report and
the Enterprise Community Partners’ Ready to Respond: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience manual. He is a member of the RELi/USGBC Steering Committee, where he has worked to bring a social equity lens to the development of the new certification standard for resilient buildings.
JULIE JANISKI
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Julie Janiski leads integrated teams of engineers, designers, analysts, and subject-matter experts at BuroHappold Engineering for projects with ambitious goals related to design innovation, building performance, and the health, wellbeing and experience of building occupants and community. Julie’s recent work includes: Cornell Tech’s new Verizon Executive Education Center with Snohetta; Glenstone Museum with Thomas Phifer and Partners, St. Ann’s Warehouse theatre in Brookyln with Marvel Architects; a number of U.S. Embassy projects internationally for the U.S. State Department; a new corporate headquarters campus in Baltimore for Under Armour; an integrated “roadmap” plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by the year 2050 (80×50) for the City of New York; and The House at Cornell Tech – a residential high-rise in New York City which is certified Passive House. Julie also teaches at Columbia University’s GSAPP in the first-year core studio, and has been a guest critic/lecturer at other universities including MIT, Tulane, and NYU.
SARA NEFF
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Sara Neff is Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation. Sara took Kilroy from having no sustainability program to being named the #1 publicly traded real estate company on sustainability in North America by GRESB, and under her leadership the company recently committed to becoming the first carbon neutral real estate company in North America by the end of 2020.
At Kilroy, she oversees all sustainability initiatives such as solar and battery deal-making, the implementation of energy and water efficiency initiatives throughout the existing and development portfolios, the integration of sustainability standards into annual financial reports, the launch of the Kilroy Innovation Lab, and the award-winning green leasing program. She holds a BS from Stanford and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
TRISTAN ROBERTS
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Tristan Roberts is responsible for leading staff support for HPDC’s Technical Committee, education programs, and the evolution of the HPD Open Standard. Mr. Roberts is a leader in the advancement of green building practices. Prior to joining HPDC in May 2018, he was part of BuildingGreen, Inc. for eleven years, where he most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer, moderating and leading the community development of LEEDuser forum which supports over 10,000 users. He is the author of hundreds of articles and in-depth reports on building industry trends and technologies, and is a frequent speaker and educator in the areas of green building and sustainable design. His objective stance and focus on practical tools has earned him the trust of a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the industry, including architects, sustainability professionals, manufacturers, and nonprofit groups. Mr. Roberts has taught sustainability and building science at the Boston Architectural College.
TIM CONWAY
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
As a flooring industry expert, Tim Conway is focused on the positive affects that sustainable flooring products have on our buildings, and more importantly, the people that occupy and live in the spaces we design. Tim has worked closely with Bill McDonough and the internal team at Shaw for the past twelve years developing and maintaining Shaw’s Cradle to Cradle certifications, HPDs and EPDs. His unique role at Shaw enables him to drive the communication between clients’ requirements and the product development team at Shaw. He has presented at GreenBuild, Living Future, and Design Future Council and has been an integral part in the development of healthy carpet specifications for clients all over the world. Tim is passionate about collaborating with clients to develop flooring specifications that are safe throughout a product’s entire supply chain, from raw material chemical building blocks to end of life replication. He has a unique ability to translate complex systems like Cradle to Cradle and HPDs into simple stories that empower change and deliver buildings that have positive intent for the future of our people and our planet.
BILL WALSH
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Bill Walsh is the Founder and President of the Board of the Healthy Building Network (HBN). Since 2000 HBN has been defining the leading edge of healthy building practices that increase transparency in the building products industry, reduce human exposures to chemicals in building materials, and create market incentives for healthier innovations in manufacturing. He has been Visiting Professor at Parsons The New School for Design, is a Fellow of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts, and a founding board member of the Health Product Declaration (HPD) Collaborative. Bill and HBN have been awarded the Design for Humanity Award by the American Society of Interior Designers (2019); WEACT for Environmental Justice Leadership Award (2018); Healthy Schools Network Hero (2013); US Green Building Council’s Leadership In Advocacy Award (2012). Previously he served as a national campaign director at Greenpeace USA, and held staff attorney positions with the US Public Interest Research Group and the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center. He holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and LLM in Public Interest Advocacy from Georgetown University.
BRENT TRENGA
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
Brent has truly run the construction industry gamut serving in various roles including Architect, Construction Manager, Developer and even project owner, allowing him to fully understand the sustainability ecosystem. As Building Technology Director for Kingspan North America, Brent is committed to reducing the environmental impact of business operations, products and services through continuous improvement and environmental transparency.
JENNIFER TARANTO
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador Structure Tone, Director of Sustainability
Jennifer Taranto ensures the principals of sustainability, wellbeing, and Lean construction are incorporated into client projects and everyday work practices throughout the STO Building Group.
Jenn is a passionate advocate for reducing environmental impact of the built environment and enabling organizations to improve people’s health and wellbeing while reducing the construction and operating costs of facilities. She gets involved in the early stages of client projects to define the needs and the overall sustainability goals in order to create an internal road map to team success.
Jennifer brings more than eighteen years of experience in the commercial real estate and construction industry, and joined Structure Tone in 2001. Her previous roles included superintendent and project manager prior to becoming Structure Tone’s Director of Sustainability in 2008.
As a founder of the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter and the former Chair of the Chapter’s Board of Directors she is recognized as a leader in the sustainable built environment. She has lectured at Wentworth Institute of Technology and Boston University and spoken at Labs21 Conference (I2SL), Delaware Valley Green Building Council’s Sustainability Symposium, Living Futures and Greenbuild. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Jennifer has a Bacon number of 2.
LEIGH STRINGER
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Leigh Stringer is a workplace strategy expert and researcher whose work has been covered recently by BBC News, The Globe and Mail, Fortune, CNN and Good Morning America. She works for EYP, an architecture and engineering firm. She is the author of two best-selling books, The Green Workplace and The Healthy Workplace. Leigh is currently collaborating with Harvard University’s School of Public Health on a new Health and Human Performance Index and the Center for Active Design in New York on their Fitwel building certification program to create new tools, connect like minds and blur the boundaries across industries in order to advance our improve our well-being at work. Leigh is on the board of directors of a new non-profit, Global Women for Wellbeing, an organization that aims to give women a voice to create better health and wellbeing for themselves, their businesses, and their communities.
CHARLEY STEVENSON
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Charley Stevenson has been delving deeper and deeper into healthier building materials since beginning work on his first Living Building Challenge project in 2011. With the team at IES, he has developed process and software to integrate better materials selections into all project types and to transform the market as quickly and easily as possible. The Red2Green platform has reduced Red List research and documentation effort by a factor of three while building up a library of over 10,000 products screened for compliance.
PETER SMITH
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
Peter is engaged with leading organizations and institutions seeking to transform their real estate portfolios to enhance health and business metrics. As Senior Vice President at IWBI, he leads a team driving the global growth and adoption of the WELL Building Standard, the first performance-based building standard to exclusively focus on human health. Peter is also an active speaker and educator, promoting health in the built environment through industry events and technical workshops. Previously, Peter served as Vice President of Delos Solutions, a team of consultants and subject matter experts incorporating health and wellness strategies into the pioneering WELL Certification projects. Working closely with Delos Labs, an internal research group, he identified best-in-class design solutions, products and technologies to improve the built environment and optimize for human health, well-being and environmentally sustainability. Peter has an extensive background in building science and energy efficiency. Prior to joining Delos and IWBI, he worked as a Sustainability Consultant at Steven Winter Associates, an industry leading green building consulting firm. Focusing on affordable housing in the greater New York City area, Peter worked with multifamily developers to implement sustainable design principles and energy efficiency measures into new construction projects and validate high-performance building criteria. Peter holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Environmental Economics. He also maintains accreditations for WELL AP™ and WELL Faculty™.
JASON JEWHURST
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Jason’s passion for reconnecting with the natural environment informs all of his work as a specialist in sustainable and high-performance building design. With a strong technical background in building systems, technology, and sustainability, Jason is driven by a deep respect for craftsmanship and the art of making and by the possibilities created by merging tested traditions of construction with new fabrication technologies and material production. He leads design teams to explore possibilities inspired by a shared set of values and goals to create high-performance contemporary architecture that is beautiful and inspiring. He is a recipient of a 2017 Living Hero Award.
BLAKE JACKSON
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
Blake Jackson is an architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader with Stantec Architecture and Engineering in Boston, Massachusetts. His work focuses on the nexus between sustainability, wellness, and resiliency, and he has over fifteen years’ experience in planning, retail, hospitality, labs, healthcare, commercial, higher-education, and multifamily projects. Blake is a prolific author and speaker on his three main areas of focus, is an adjunct faculty at the Boston Architectural College and at Mount Ida College, and he currently serves as the Vice President for Advocacy for the Boston Society of Architects. He was named a national top “40 Under 40” built environment professional by Building Design and Construction Magazine in 2015.
ANNE HARNEY
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Anne Hicks Harney has over 30 years of experience, focusing on high quality design imbued with a solid technical and sustainable foundation. Formed in 2016, Long Green Specs provides sustainability focused construction specifications and building science material expertise to Architectural firms across the country. She is a member of the AIA COTE Advisory Group. She was a founding co-chair of the Baltimore – Building Enclosure Council, chair of the AIA Materials Knowledge Working Group, and a member of the USGBC Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group. In 2016, Ms. Harney was awarded fellowship by the AIA and became a LEED Fellow.
Speaking Engagements
Living Future unconference 2019 – Using the AIA COTE Toolkit to Elevate Every Project –
Living Future unconference 2019 – Entering the material pool – deep end jump or shallow slide?
2019 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit – Go Forth and Prosper, While Changing the World
Greenbuild 2018: Chicago IL, November 2018 – Closing the Transparency Loop: Collaboration in Action
AIA Conference on Architecture 2018, New York NY: Holding Ourselves to Higher Standards – Healthy Materials Every Time
BRENT EHRLICH
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Brent is the products & materials specialist at BuildingGreen, where he has been researching and writing about green building products, materials, and their health and environmental impacts for more than a decade. He brings a nuanced understanding of materials, their constituents, and lifecycles to his work as a consultant and speaker and leads a team of editors that selects products for the company’s BuildingGreen Approved database and annual Top 10 Products Award.
Speaking Engagements
• Annual BuildingGreen’s Top 10 Products award at Greenbuild (8 years as presenter)
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association: NESEA 2014: The Forest and the Trees
• NESEA 2011: Materials Track Chair + Cool New Products presentation
MATT EDLEN
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Matt Edlen oversees acquisitions and development in the Midwest and East Coast for Gerding Edlen’s various investment funds. Matt is responsible for sourcing, negotiating and executing on investment opportunities across key urban markets within those regions.
Prior to his role in acquisitions, Matt was focused on the development and management of the firms internal multifamily marketing and sales platform. His efforts have helped the firm invest over $1 billion worth of real estate across the country in cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago.
Matt currently serves as national chair of the board for Design Museum Foundation and as a board member for Boston’s NOAH (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing), and The Oregon Sports Authority. He has also served as board member and chair of the site selection committee for PHAME Academy, board member and co-chair of the Arts Connector Program of Business for Culture and the Arts, and alumni board member of Young People’s Theater Project. Matt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
MIKHAIL DAVIS
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Mikhail Davis is Director of Restorative Enterprise at Interface, a world-leading modular flooring company with a fully integrated collection of hard and soft flooring. Interface’s mission, Climate Take Back™, invites industry to commit to making a profit in a way that is restorative to the planet and creates a climate fit for life. Mikhail is responsible for advancing Interface’s mission in the Americas by building internal leadership capacity, facilitating strategic alignment of efforts, and creating external partnerships that shift the marketplace toward sustainability. He leads Interface’s product transparency efforts in the Americas and was lead author and editor of Interface’s Radical Industrialists column at GreenBiz.com for two years.
An expert in sustainable materials and NGO collaborations, he represents Interface in many organizations focused on sustainability innovation, closed-loop systems, recycling, and chemicals of concern, including serving as 2016-18 Chair of the US Green Building Council’s Technical Advisory Group on Materials and Resources (MR TAG), Co-Chair of the Materials Working Group of BizNGO and Program Advisor to the Next Generation Bio-based and Sustainable Chemicals Summit.
STEVEN BURKE
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company
Steven is a Sustainability Manager at Consigli Construction Co., Inc., an 800+ person construction firm based in Massachusetts. His position involves management of company sustainability processes and sustainable construction projects at Consigli. He has a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, and has delivered many presentations on how to integrate health and wellness into the design and construction of the built environment.