MAIN PAGEEDUCATION PROGRAMEXHIBITOR/SPONSOR PROFILESEXHIBITOR/SPONSOR OPTIONSADVISORY BOARDREGISTER

Meet the Summit Speakers

Dr. Timothy Baird is a nationally recognized speaker and author on school leadership, sustainability, and innovation. He works with the Green Schools National Network supporting school districts on school sustainability. He also serves as the co-chair of the District Leaders’ Working Group for The California Environmental Literacy Initiative, and as a board member for the Classroom of the Future Foundation. He earned his Ed. D. from the University of Southern California and his MA, administrative credential, teaching credential, and BA from California State University, Fullerton.

Dr. Baird has served for 39 years as a public-school educator. He has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent during his career.  He recently retired as superintendent of the Encinitas
Union School District. During his 10-year tenure in Encinitas, the district earned the California and U.S. Green Ribbon District distinction in 2014. Under Dr. Baird’s leadership, EUSD built Farm Lab, a 10-acre organic farm and student research and design center, that provides organic food to the food service program and functions as a research and design facility for all
district students. The Encinitas Union School District has also earned numerous awards for sustainability, educational programs, technology use, student
performance, and innovation.


Phoebe Beierle is the Senior Manager of Programs for the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council where she is responsible for leading educational program strategy promoting sustainable, resilient, and healthy schools. Specifically, Phoebe supports the School District Sustainability Leaders’ Network, now representing over 300 sustainability staff working at K-12 school-districts across the country, through unique tools, best practice education, research, and leadership development programs. Phoebe leans on her knowledge of industry best practices and experience with green building design and sustainable operations, which she built during her five years as Sustainability Manager at Boston Public Schools.


Michelle Bunn has a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and a Master of Arts in Education from San Diego State University. She’s a Program Manager at The Energy Coalition, overseeing engagement and projects teams serving various public agencies, including school districts and higher education, Southern California Regional Energy Network’s (SoCalREN) Public Agency programs to identify and implement energy improvements at their facilities. She previously dedicated 12+ years as a program manager and director to K-12 STEM outreach organizations to diversify the STEM workforce and was a SDSU adjunct professor. She is one of TEC’s School Leads and serves on their Schools & Higher Education Task Force. She currently serves on the the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) California Board.


Juanita Chan-Roden, MAEd, is the Director of Science and Career Programs, serving the Rialto, California, community for 22 years. She has a background in entomology, plant vector pathogen epidemiology, and other disciplines, and has taught at both elementary and secondary grade levels. She is passionate about inspiring a love and excitement for science and strives to nurture wonder and curiosity about the natural world by developing cross-disciplinary curricula, organizing STEM student learning events, and illustrating to her peers that science and the environment can provide real-world context that gives flavor to all other subjects. She has worked diligently to integrate environmental education into all levels of the K–12 curriculum, advocating that all students have the opportunity to appreciate their local community’s biodiversity.


Alicia Chavez is a Supervising Architect for the Sustainability Unit at the DSA Headquarters in the Codes and Policies Team. In her role she is responsible for regulation, policy development, training development for CBC CALGreen Part 11 and adoption and amendments for CBC Part 3 CEC, 4 CMC, and 5 CPC for public K-12 schools and community colleges. She has 27 years of experience from the private sector where she worked on commercial, multifamily, mixed use, healthcare, civic and K-12 schools and higher education projects across California. Alicia is a licensed architect in California, earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from, and is a graduate of the CASH Leadership Academy Cohort 11 in 2021.


Christos Chrysiliou
Education Session:
K-12 Decarbonization: All-Electric Case Studies

As Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District, Christos Chrysiliou is responsible for visioning, development and implementation of sustainability and energy initiatives with the goal of reducing the District’s carbon and water footprint, increasing campus greening, and promoting climate literacy. Prior to this position, Christos served as the Director of Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Services for over a decade with the Facilities Services Division of the LAUSD. He has been at the forefront of LAUSD’s efforts to promote sustainable design practices, the clean energy and decarbonization transition, campus ecology and healthier, more eco-friendly school environments.


She began serving as acting State Architect in January 2019. She concurrently served as Principal Architect for the Division of the State Architect, where she managed the accessibility, sustainability, and fire & life safety programs for public K-12 schools and community colleges, directed CALGreen and Access Code regulatory development, and administered the Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Program.
Prior to that, she served as the CASp Program’s first technical administrator where she established the program’s professional practice standards and provides examination and training development.
Ida has twenty-six years’ experience in private architectural practice where she specialized in affordable and sustainable multifamily residential facilities and provided accessibility compliance surveys and third-party plan reviews. As a certified access specialist, Ida was instrumental in the creation of the Certified Access Specialist Institute in 2010.
Clair has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California and is a registered architect.


Shea Dibble is the Senior Manager for California TK-12 and co-founder of Veregy, bringing over 26 years of experience in the energy and sustainability sector. Since 1999, he has been dedicated to transforming educational facilities, working with more than 100 California school districts to create healthier, more efficient learning environments that drive improved student outcomes.

Throughout his career, Shea has led the delivery of large, complex energy sustainability and resilience projects tailored to the unique needs of schools. His expertise spans HVAC modernization, renewable energy integration, and infrastructure upgrades, always with an eye toward long-term operational savings and community impact. In today’s challenging school facility funding landscape, Shea has proven adept at securing a wide array of grants and leveraging creative financing strategies—ensuring critical improvements move forward even when budgets are constrained.

Passionate about the intersection of education and sustainability, Shea’s work bridges technical innovation with the mission of fostering engaging and safe spaces for California’s TK-12 students. His leadership continues to shape projects that not only reduce environmental impact but also strengthen the resiliency of schools in the face of evolving energy challenges, helping districts thrive despite funding droughts.


George Garcia is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and education. With a background in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education, he has devoted his career to promoting eco-conscious practices and empowering individuals to make a positive, lasting impact on their communities and the planet. As an Education Program Consultant at the California Department of Education (CDE) in the Office of Learning Environments, George leads the California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) Recognition Award program.

Through CA-GRS, George supports and celebrates schools that demonstrate excellence in environmental literacy, resource efficiency, and student and staff wellness. He works closely with school communities to help them implement sustainable practices—from improving energy efficiency and reducing waste to designing innovative outdoor learning spaces. The program not only uplifts exemplary efforts but also inspires schools statewide to integrate sustainability into everyday learning and operations.

Prior to his work at CDE, George served as a STEAM instructional coach in Santa Clara, where he helped schools deliver engaging, cross-curricular learning experiences rooted in real-world problem solving. His efforts continue to inspire educators and students to embrace environmental stewardship, proving that sustainability and education together can shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.


Ben is the Senior Staff Attorney at Los Angeles Waterkeeper, advancing the organization’s litigation work and serving in a policy advocacy role in a variety of ways, including leading the Los Angeles River restoration campaign.

Ben received his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from UCLA. He returned to obtain a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where he served as the Executive Editor for the UCLA Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. After law school, he worked as a litigator in private practice before clerking for the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Prior to joining LA Waterkeeper, Ben spent two years as a fellow at the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at UCLA School of Law, where he represented clients in their pursuit of environmental advocacy and co-taught the environmental law clinic.


Julie Hilborn is the Coordinator of Environmental Literacy and Sustainability at the San Mateo County Office of Education. She joined SMCOE in September of 2022 after a multi-faceted career in the formal and informal science and environmental education sectors across K-12 and the university levels. She supervises the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative at SMCOE, which provides support to San Mateo County Schools in prioritizing environmental literacy and integrating environmental sustainability and climate-ready practices across school campuses, curriculum, community, and culture. Julie holds a BA In Human Biology from Stanford, an MA from San Jose State, an administrative credential from SMCOE and a teaching credential from San Francisco State. Her husband Tim is a middle school technology teacher, with whom she shares twin 13 year-old boys. They all enjoy hiking and traveling together in the mountains of California.


With a career rooted in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District since 2005, Ed has served students and educators as a teacher, elementary principal, and now as Chief Technology Officer. His diverse background has given him a unique, systems-level perspective on education, which he has used to champion critical funding through grants and parcel taxes for everything from classroom technology to sustainable facility modernizations.
Today, Ed channels this blend of instructional, technological, and operational expertise into his passion for environmental literacy and outdoor education. He facilitates TTUSD’s strategic plan in this area and is spearheading the development of a residential outdoor school at a repurposed district site. His vision is to create a hub for hands-on, inquiry-based learning where students can engage directly with their Sierra Nevada ecosystem. This project exemplifies his core belief in providing equitable, transformative educational experiences that connect students to their local environment and empower them as future leaders and caretakers of our natural world.


Sarah Johnson is the Lead Sustainability Specialist at the Institute for Sustainability at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In this role, she collaborates with campus departments and community organizations to advance CSUN’s sustainability goals through programs, partnerships, and events.

Sarah oversees CSUN’s CA Climate Action Corps program, where Fellows gain hands-on experience in climate action and sustainability, preparing them for careers in the green workforce.

A passionate advocate for sustainability education and community engagement, Sarah has been part of the Institute since its founding in 2009. She also teaches University 100, a first-year seminar that introduces students to college life and includes community-based learning projects focused on sustainability.


Rebecca Kirk was appointed Executive Officer for the Office of Public School Construction by Governor Newsom in January 2024. She has nearly 18 years of experience in California state government, including previous positions as the Deputy Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the California Gambling Control Commission, Assistant Program Budget Manager for Higher Education and School Facilities at the California Department of Finance, Communications and Policy Manager at the Division of the State Architect, Sustainability Manager for the Department of General Services, and several previous roles at the Office of Public School Construction. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and completed the Leadership for the Government Executive Program through the California State University, Sacramento.


Brad Krey is the Statewide Program Manager at California State Parks with over 25 years of experience in public engagement, education, and outreach. I lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex budgets to deliver programs that expand access and improve services across California. A pioneer in digital storytelling, I’ve implemented innovative, tech-forward initiatives that connect diverse communities to the state’s natural and cultural resources. With a strong foundation in public service and policy, I’m known for launching high-impact programs through strategic partnerships that increase equity, visibility, and relevance of public lands.


With 15+ years of experience in facility planning and sustainability education, Dr. Laurel Kruke is the Energy and Sustainability Manager for Long Beach Unified School District, working to meet the goals of the District-wide Sustainability Plan. She works on a variety of projects, including the district’s energy efficiency efforts, waste sorting program, green schoolyard planning, and environmental literacy initiatives, among many others. She recently finished her Ph.D. in Education at USC’s Rossier School of Education, focusing her dissertation on how teachers’ perceptions of climate change affect their integration of the subject into curriculum. Before starting her doctoral studies, Laurel was a Program Manager for the nonprofit Illinois Green Alliance, overseeing an education and outreach program for community buildings in Chicago. She has also worked as a sustainability consultant for school districts and as a workplace strategist for the architecture firm Gensler. She has a Bachelors of Science in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University and a Masters of Arts in Sustainability from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.


Brian LaPask has worked for the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) for all 24+ years of his State service. Brian previously served at OPSC as both Operations Manager and Policy Manager in Program Services. His prior OPSC roles include being both a Project Management Supervisor and Project Manager. Brian has lengthy experience with all programs offered at OPSC, as well as helping to manage the legislative and policy functions within the office.

During his tenure, Brian has focused on developing efficient and fluid day-to-day operational procedures, staff development, building internal and external relationships, providing outstanding customer service, and building a solid reputation with stakeholders, and more recently develop and implementation of Proposition 2. Brian is also integral to developing both action and statewide policy items heard at the State Allocation Board.


Kimberlie Linz, Ed.D. is the Chief Business Official for El Segundo Unified School District, where she oversees fiscal services, facilities, maintenance and operations, food services, and sustainability for a TK–12 district serving approximately 3,500 students. With over 25 years of experience in public education, Kim integrates a systems-thinking approach across all operational areas by aligning resources with the district’s strategic goals, centering decisions on student success and commitment to environmental responsibility.

Kim leads the district’s Facilities Advisory, Wellness, and Environmental Committees, and partners with city leaders to support sustainable joint-use planning. Under her leadership, the district has launched green infrastructure initiatives, strengthened energy management strategies, and woven sustainability into facilities master planning.

A former site principal and teacher, Kim brings a student-centered lens to business operations and believes in cross-departmental collaboration to advance equity, innovation, and well-being. She has her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Californiaand holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Virginia, and USC’s School Business Management program.

Kim is a recipient of the 2023 ACSA California Business Services Administrator of the Year and a has presented at state and national conferences on leadership and innovation.


Reilly Loveland is a national leader in sustainable school infrastructure, with over 15 years of experience supporting public school districts in creating healthier, more equitable, and future-ready learning environments. With a background in sustainability planning, facilities strategy, and stakeholder engagement, Reilly has worked with more than 500 school districts across the country to accelerate building electrification, modernize infrastructure, and implement data driven climate solutions.
Reilly brings a sharp understanding of the intersection between policy, funding, and community voice to school districts. Her work centers student well-being and community partnership in every step of the planning and implementation process. Known for bridging technical expertise with storytelling and public engagement, Reilly continues to drive national conversations around the future of K–12 learning spaces.


As the Associate Director of Science and Policy at Heal the Bay, Annelisa helps to keep L.A. water clean and safe by advocating for comprehensive and science-based water quality regulation and enforcement. She currently oversee Heal the Bay’s Water Quality efforts, including science, research, policy, and advocacy, as well as the Beach Report Card, NowCast, and River Report Card programs. Before joining the team at Heal the Bay, she worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board in both the underground storage tank program and the surface water ambient monitoring program. Annelisa completed her master’s degree in geological sciences at CSU Northridge. In her free time she enjoys caving, canyoneering, and scuba diving.


Michael is currently serving as a district math strategist in the Rialto Unified School District. He has been an educator for 20 years teaching math at the middle and high school levels. As an educator, he believes that students learn best when they are engaged in activities that are relevant to them. In the math world, students should be given opportunities to learn mathematics in context, and that context is well-grounded in the different phenomena that occur around us.


Since 2015, Bruce Reznik has served as Executive Director of LA Waterkeeper, where he directs the organization’s fight for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and resilient water supplies. Reznik previously spent eleven years running LAW’s sister-organization, San Diego Coastkeeper, and has served as Executive Director for San Diego Housing Federation, the Sacramento-based Planning Conservation League and the Sustainable San Diego collaborative. A California-licensed attorney, Reznik holds an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and law degree from the University of San Diego. He has served on numerous environmental boards and commissions, including as an alternate on the California Coastal Commission, Vice President of the global Waterkeeper Alliance, and chair of the Safe Clean Water Program scoring committee. Bruce lives in Alhambra with his two rescue dogs.


James Richmond, CEM, brings 38 years experience in renewable and energy-efficiency project development and funding for public schools and non-profits, having developed $60M in grant funding in California alone. With a long history as an Energy Manager, James has a unique perspective on getting your energy savings projects started, funded, and completed. His firm, First Note Finance inc, is a Green Energy Champion, and a regular contributor to the Green Technology educational programs.


Krista Rigsbee is the Founder and President of Constructive Systems, Inc. (CSI), an integrator specializing in innovative solar projects for schools and farms. In recent years, CSI has focused on developing and deploying its groundbreaking Net+ Outdoor Classroom product. This year, one of the company’s key goals is to help school districts use this solution—along with a variety of funding strategies—to create comfortable, connected outdoor learning environments that support hands-on CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathways at comprehensive high schools.


Mary Ruppenthal is a licensed architect and Education Market Sector leader with HED. Mary has over 30 years of professional architectural experience and expertise specializing in educational projects throughout California. She is committed to collaborating with Districts, stakeholders, professional industry partners, and communities in shaping environments that elevate and enhance user engagement, performance, equity, health, and wellness, and maximize educational and community outcomes.

She has been a Board Member of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) since 2019 and is the NorCal/Nevada Chapter Past-President; she earned her M. Arch from UC-Berkeley and B.SC. in Architecture from UW-Milwaukee.


Amity Sandage is the environmental literacy coordinator for Santa Cruz County Office of Education leading a countywide effort to build environmental literacy of K–12 students. Amity works to increase student access to outdoor learning and to support teachers in using local environmental connections to increase relevance of core instruction across content areas and to create opportunities for civic and environmental action. Amity served as a regional coordinator for the California Department of Education’s California Regional Environmental Education Community Network and currently serves on the board of the California Environmental Education Foundation. As a graduate of Pitzer College and the Center for Informal Learning and Schools Program, she focused on environmental studies, cross-age teaching and service learning programs, inquiry-based science program development, and the integration of school and community-based education programs.


Stephanie Seidmon (she/her) is the Program Director at UndauntedK12, where she plays a crucial role in advancing state and national strategies for promoting healthy, decarbonized, and climate-resilient schools. She leads initiatives in California, supporting the Climate Ready Schools Coalition’s advocacy, overseeing strategic projects, and expanding networks and partnerships. Stephanie brings a decade of experience in public education and climate justice advocacy, where she has served as a celebrated teacher and instructional leader in Louisiana, Mexico, and California.


Dr. Andrea Somoza-Norton is an Associate Professor and Co-Coordinator of the Educational Leadership and Administration Program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She brings more than 28 years of experience as an educator, school administrator, and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. in Education and an M.S. in Information Technology in Education from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an Ed.D. in School Leadership from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Somoza-Norton also earned an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate.
Her research and practice focus on educational leadership for sustainability, systems thinking, and innovative organizational design. A former member of the Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLPs) Research Committee, Dr. Somoza-Norton, examines how leaders can integrate environmental literacy, equity, and resilience into school systems. Through her research on the California Green Ribbon Schools framework, she supports administrators in developing campuses that promote wellness, efficient operations and facilities, stewardship, and social responsibility. Her scholarship reflects a commitment to empowering educational leaders to guide systemic transformation toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.


Connection, conservation, and play are three words that describe who Jon is as a person. These pillars led him to his dream career with KOMPAN where he has led the California business for six years.

Kompan strives to create happier and healthier communities, in a sustainable way. This vision has helped them become one of the world’s largest commercial outdoor playground and fitness equipment manufactures.

Jon looks forward to continuing to spread the words of green-technology, conservation, and play throughout California and the rest of the world.

Let’s play!


Sarah Whiting has harbored a deep love for learning and a passion for the environment since childhood. Her journey into education began after college when she provided early intervention tutoring for autistic children. Having personally experienced unconventional learning, Sarah has dedicated her career to establishing supportive and nurturing environments for students. Over eleven years, she taught elementary and middle school science, served as a district-level STEM TOSA for three years, and held the role of a county-level K12 Strong Workforce Pathway and STEM coordinator before joining the team at Ten Strands. As an advocate for developing systems thinking and creativity, she is driven to create an educational system where students are empowered to become solutionaries capable of making a positive impact on the world.


Allen Wong is an Energy Specialist in the Outreach and Education Unit of the California Energy Commission’s Building Standards Branch, where he has served for over six years. In this role, he has developed specialized expertise in communicating Energy Code requirements—particularly in the areas of water heating, solar PV, lighting, building commissioning, and electrical power distribution. His work includes creating educational resources and delivering training programs to support effective understanding and enforcement of the Energy Code.


Andra Yeghoian is the Chief Innovation Officer for Ten Strands, a San Francisco Based nonprofit whose mission is to build and strengthen the partnerships and strategies that brings environmental literacy to all California’s students. Andra has over 20 years of experience in education across public and private school systems, nationally and internationally, and has served in a variety of roles, including: County-Level Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Coordinator, Site-Level Director of Sustainability, Secondary Humanities Teacher, Project Manager, Professional Development Facilitator, Adjunct Faculty, and Organizational Consultant. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and a Teaching Credential from UC Davis, and an MBA in Sustainable Systems from Presidio Graduate School, and an Administrative Services Credential.
Most recently, Andra’s work has focused on implementing visionary leadership for a whole systems approach to integrating environmental and climate action across all aspects of K-12 schools: campus and operations, curriculum and instruction, community engagement, and organizational culture. Additionally, under her leadership she has supported school sites, districts, and county offices in achieving honors such as the U.S. Department of Education and California Green Ribbon Award, Bay Area Green Business Certification, and LEED Platinum Certification for New Buildings.


Updated Daily | Check back as we add more speaker details!

Scroll to Top