Martha Ball, Principal, HED

As a higher education sector leader and award-winning practicing architect, Martha Ball specializes in leading complex multidisciplinary projects including student housing, state-of-the-art science and research, and academic and healthcare facilities working with top-tier institutions such as the University of Washington, Loma Linda University, UCLA, University of Iowa, and USC. As a licensed architect, she believes a holistic and integrated approach to architecture contributes to project success. She has created new models and best practices for dynamic learning environments that manifest positive collaboration and connect people, celebrating the heterogeneous nature of today’s campus populations. She brings a focus experience in large, complex projects working at CSULA South Village Housing, UC Irvine Health Sciences and Nursing School, Saddleback College ATAS, and CSULA South Village Housing.

Irina Brauzman, Supervising Architect, California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)

Irina Brauzman is a Supervising Architect for the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) and is responsible for overseeing development of building standards in the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Part 11 of title 24). Additionally, she assists with administering the California Building Standards Code development process, conducts various technical committee meetings, and provides training regarding the code adoption process and code application, including sharing information regarding the new embodied carbon reduction regulations. Irina previously worked as an architect and technical director for architectural companies in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and in Russia. During that time, she designed various complex commercial, industrial and residential buildings, was responsible for developing uniformly refined production standards, and monitored projects to ensure the quality standards were met for all design and contract documents. Irina was born in Russia and got her Bachelor of Architecture degree there. She moved to the United States in 2010. Since moving to the USA, Irina completed all the required registration examinations and received a California Architect license.

Matthew Brennan, VP of Sales, CollectiveSun®, LLC

Matthew Brennan is the VP of Sales at CollectiveSun®, LLC where he manages all aspects of installer and customer relationships, sales and project development. Matt has extensive experience in commercial solar sales, nonprofit solar financing and project management. Prior to CollectiveSun, he worked as an industrial engineer for a network equipment manufacturer, a sales engineer for electronic equipment manufacturers and an operations manager for an industry-leading mechanical engineering magazine. Matt enjoys working with nonprofit executives and solar professionals alike to help bring clean energy to the nation’s nonprofits and forward the decarbonization of the grid. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.

Dan Burgoyne, Sustainability Manager, California’s Department of General Services

Dan Burgoyne is the Sustainability Manager for California’s Department of General Services (DGS). He is an architect and LEED Fellow, with over 35 years of experience in the design and construction industry, including 19 years developing and leading implementation of California policies and executive orders in energy, green building, zero net energy and climate change adaptation and resiliency for state facilities. Dan chairs California’s Sustainable Building Working Group, leading state agencies to implement sustainability policies. Dan has served as a green building advisor to the California Green Building Code (CALGreen), GSA, and California’s High Speed Rail Authority. and served in two decades on the US Green Building Council’s Board of Directors.

Hafsa Burt, Founder/Creative Director, hb+a Architects

Hafsa Burt is a practicing architect with 23 years of design experience in carbon neutral and regenerative buildings. She is well-known for her expertise in eliminating toxins in indoor air quality, and for her legislative advocacy work to promote sustainable buildings. Burt founded her studio, hb+a Architects in 2006. Her portfolio spans designs for multifamily residential properties, institutions, hospitality, retail, and medical office buildings. hb+a architects includes Box Lab, a development arm focused on zero energy/zero carbon buildings. An industry expert on healthy building practices, Burt is a noted speaker about indoor air quality and carbon neutrality. She is actively engaged with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and serves on the AIA California Climate Action Committee developing legislation to address the embodied Carbon, Life Cycle Analysis and decarbonization of the building sector. She is also a WELL Faculty. Burt earned an undergraduate degree and a professional Master of Architecture from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). She has been named one of ENR’s 20 Under 40 Construction Professionals in California and received the American Institute of Architects’ coveted Young Architects’ Honor Award. She has also won Innovation in Design Awards by Fast Company and German Design Council.

Jim Carroll, Associate Vice Chancellor & University Architect, University of California, Davis

Jim Carroll is the Associate Vice Chancellor & University Architect at University of California, Davis. He leads the team at Design & Construction Management (DCM), including Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship, Integrated Capital and Space Planning, Design Group, Capital Project Management, Engineering Project Management, the Campus Engineer and Inspection Services, Real Estate Services, Contract Management and the Office of Sustainability. Jim has completed higher education projects of virtually every type, in both private practice and public service during a career spanning more than thirty-five years. Jim is co-Chair of the UC Davis Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS). In this role, he coordinated the efforts of the 33-person committee and the more than 70 campus- and region-wide sustainability experts who developed the Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan for the UC Davis enterprise.

Karen Cook, Sustainability Project Manager, Alameda County

Karen Cook leads Alameda County, California’s sustainable purchasing and green building programs, catalyzing institutional change towards sustainability within this 9500-employee organization. She works to accelerate market transformation by collaborating locally, regionally and nationally to share learnings and advance leading-edge programs. Karen enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies.  

John Fraser-Mifsud (JFM), President, Seeley International Americas

John Fraser-Mifsud (JFM) is President of Seeley International Americas, a 100% subsidiary of Seeley International headquartered in Australia. John holds a Master’s degree in Architectural and Building Design Science and was recognized with several university awards from the University of Sydney. His research thesis on Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in the Built Environment earned honors and high distinction. In a career spanning more than 35 years, John has been at the forefront of heat pump and refrigerated product solutions, and now dedicated to advancing what is being  recognized as the most efficient cooling technology available today. His mission is to improve the built environment on all fronts that not only include minimizing one’s carbon footprint and saving energy, but also an acute focus on how to improve the human condition and indoor amenity across all applications and verticals. He recognizes these complex challenges simultaneously and strives for continuous improvement and innovative thinking to achieve the solution. John lives in the United States, Minnesota.

Dr. Carla Fresquez, Interim Director & Engagement Program Manager, UC Davis Sustainability

Dr. Carla Fresquez is the Interim Director & Engagement Program Manager for UC Davis Sustainability where she facilitates the development of navigational capital among UC Davis students and develops programs and opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to understand the nuance of sustainability in a higher education setting. She is the first in her large Chicanx family to receive a doctorate; a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz.

Heather Larson, Senior Program Manager, StopWaste

At StopWaste Heather’s current projects focus on material circularity, building decarbonization and innovation in the construction sector. Heather has lead the Agency’s Green Building Grants to Non-profit Housing program, lead the East Bay Energy Watch Strategic Advisory Committee and Local Government Partnership with PG&E, lead development of the regional Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Multifamily incentive program, lead development of the BayREN Municipal ZNE technical assistance program, Chaired the Energy Council Technical Advisory Group of Jurisdictions in Alameda County, Chaired the Statewide Multifamily Home Energy Retrofit Coordinating Committee, and served as a Board Member of the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition.  Heather has taught energy efficiency courses at San Jose State University and UC Berkeley Extension.  She holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Masters degree in Sustainable Design from the University of Sydney, in Sydney Australia.

Ian Merker, Associate Vice President, CannonDesign

Ian is a licensed Architect with over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on civic, K-12, and higher education projects. He is Associate Vice President of global multidisciplinary firm CannonDesign and is based in Sacramento. He currently serves as a commissioner for the Sacramento Preservation Commission.
Ian is Architect of Record for the historic Bateson Building renovation in Sacramento. At its opening in 1981, it was promoted as the most energy-efficient office building in the nation. The renovation will introduce modern work environments with new efficient building systems, restoring its status as a high-performance building. Ian’s academic background in regenerative studies and passion for sustainability and historic preservation inform his work.  His expertise in innovative planning, programming, and design collaboration delivers successful projects. His portfolio exemplifies high-performance buildings and user-centered design. As an active member of the American Institute of Architects on local, regional, and national committees, Ian has engaged in meaningful mentorship and championed the industry’s greater commitment to climate action and design excellence.

Maya Noesen, SEI Climate Corps Fellow, State of California Department of General Services Office of Sustainability

Maya Noesen serves as the SEI Climate Corps Fellow at the State of California Department of General Services Office of Sustainability.
Ms. Noesen volunteers at Acterra to monitor Bay Area cities’ decarbonization policies and assists with event planning. Previously, Ms. Noesen interned at the Environmental Defense Fund where she researched fuel switching and decarbonization plans in both the private and public sectors.  Ms. Noesen holds an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a BS in Environmental Science and Biochemistry from Western Washington University.

Ben Negose, SEI Climate Corps Fellow, California Department of Transportation

Ben Negose serves as the SEI Climate Corps Fellow at the California Department of Transportation. Mr. Negose works within the Caltrans Directors’ Office of Sustainability – specifically within the Sustainable Facilities and Operations branch. As a Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Fellow, he has worked on a variety of projects including Demand Response enrollment, Energy Benchmarking, and the Sustainability Roadmap. Previously, Mr. Negose lived and worked at Arcosanti – an experimental town and urban laboratory in Yavapai County, Arizona. There, he assisted the community’s planning department with its understanding of energy metrics, energy efficiency standards, and provided guidance in the planning of a future building on site. Mr. Negose holds an MS in Sustainable Engineering: Architecture and Ecology from the University of Strathclyde and a BS in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Christopher Olvera, Supervisor, Outreach and Education Unit, California Energy Commission

Christopher Olvera is the supervisor of the California Energy Commission’s Outreach and Education Unit which develops tools, presentations, and resources to support compliance and enforcement with the Energy Code. Chris has over 20 years of experience working at the Energy Commission. He began work as a student on the Energy Standards Hotline fielding questions about the Energy Code from designers, architects/engineers, builders/contractors, enforcement agencies, and homeowners. He has worked with numerous enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders statewide, and has been providing Energy Code training for the past 15 years. Chris has served in several other positions supporting a variety of programs, including: Compliance and Enforcement; the Home Energy Rating System(HERS) program; the Acceptance Test Technician Certification Provider (ATTCP) program; processing low interest Energy Conservation Assistance Act(ECAA) loans; the Bright Schools program; and facilitating upgrades per the Clean Energy Jobs Act (Proposition 39).

Andrew Reilman, Managing Principal, Introba US West Region

Andy is the Managing Principal of Introba’s US West Region and a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in HVAC systems and integrated sustainable design. His expertise in sustainable architecture and green buildings includes building designs for passive, low energy systems such as natural and mixed-mode ventilation, displacement ventilation, radiant heating and cooling, and building integrated renewable energy systems. He continues to push the boundaries in sustainable design with extensive experience in LEED, Living Building Challenge, all-electric and Zero Net Energy buildings.

Enrique M. Rodriguez, Associate Construction Analyst, California Building Standards Commission

Enrique M. Rodriguez joined the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) in February of 2009. His duties at CBSC are to assist with the adoption, approval, codification, and publication the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Part 11 of Title 24). Enrique has served on various building commissioning committees; most notably as Vice-Chair of the International Code Council (ICC) G4 Development Committee, which created the ICC G4-2012 Guideline for Commissioning. He has also served on the International Accreditation Service, Inc. committees for Accreditation of Commissioning Agencies Task Group and the Technical Advisory Council-Sustainability Steering Committee as Vice-Chair.
Before coming to CBSC, Enrique worked for the California Department of General Services’ architectural department for 11 years. During that time, he designed a variety of state buildings that ranged from a Boating Instruction and Safety Center to Cal Fire campuses. He also acted as a project designer, design team leader, and project manager for various state facilities. Enrique has extensive architectural design experience and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University (CAL POLY), San Luis Obispo. He worked in private architectural firms for several years prior to his state service.

Lindsey Rowell, Chief of Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation, California State University, Office of the Chancellor

Lindsey Rowell is the current Chief of Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation for the California State University system, based at the Office of the Chancellor. Her department is responsible for setting high level policy for system-wide carbon neutrality through energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon divestiture and decarbonization strategies. She previously held positions as the Deputy Director of Sustainability of the Department of General Services as well as the Director of Energy Management, Utility Services and Sustainability at the California State University, San Marcos. Lindsey has holds a Bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and environmental science as well as a Master of Business Administration with a focus in corporate social responsibility.

Mary Ruppenthal, Architect and Education Market Sector Leader, HED

Mary Ruppenthal is a licensed architect and Education Market Sector leader with HED.   Mary has over 28 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 serving as the current NorCal/Nevada Chapter President; and earned her M. Arch from UC-Berkeley and B.SC. in Architecture from UW-Milwaukee.

James Slattery, C&D Zero Waste Sr. Coordinator, San Francisco Environment Department

James Slattery is the Sr. Coordinator of San Francisco’s Construction and Demolition (C&D) Zero Waste program. His work focuses on resource conservation, waste reduction & material recovery strategies, and environmental action in solid waste management. James has worked with the San Francisco’s Environment Department for 12 years. He is excited to share San Francisco’s journey to reform activities throughout a building’s lifecycle to improve outcomes in green building, zero waste, toxics reduction, environmental justice, and climate action.

Debra Smith, Associate Director of Major Capital Project Management, University of California Davis / Design and Construction Management

Debra Smith is a California licensed architect who has been with the University of California, Davis for ten years as a senior project manager in major capital projects. She is also an Associate Director of Project Management for Major Capital Projects and is the sustainability resource for the Design and Construction Management Division on campus. As such, she collaborates with sustainability efforts across campus especially with her Facilities and Student Housing counter parts and the Sustainability office. She supports collaboration across the campus with a monthly forum as a platform for sharing progress and aligning sustainability efforts in the built environment on campus.
Debra is a co-chair for the Fossil Free Fuel Pathway Plan under the UC Davis Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability. In this role, she co-authored two of the chapters as well as assisting in coordinating the document which is currently out for public comment. Her input focused upon Building Solutions for electrifying the existing building stock on campus and ways to revise policy for Capital Planning and Space Management in decarbonizing the campus.

Sarah Sturdy, Senior Manager, AESC Inc.

Sarah’s twelve years of program management experience provide her with deep industry knowledge of energy efficiency specializing in client relations, process improvement, and team leadership. She currently manages the State of California Energy Strategy and Support Program (SOC ESS) to help California State Agencies reach their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reductions goals while driving towards Zero Net Energy through energy efficiency project planning, technical support, and financial assistance.

Cameron A. Weist, Founding Partner, The Weist Law Firm and California Municipal Advisors LLC

Cameron A. Weist, a founding partner of The Weist Law Firm and California Municipal Advisors LLC, boasts over thirty years of experience in public finance law. He specializes in serving diverse entities in California, such as cities, counties, schools, special districts, non-profits, developers, investment banks, and underwriters. With an impeccable record, he has personally closed over 600 public financing transactions without a single default. Mr. Weist holds a pristine standing with the State Bar of California and is registered with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board as a municipal advisor. His expertise encompasses tax-exempt financing, tax credits, pension management, renewable energy financing, and grant procurement. Recognized nationally for his top-tier advice and collaborative approach, Mr. Weist is esteemed among peers for his authority in municipal, securities, and tax law, particularly in complex public offerings. His multidisciplinary education in law, economics, urban and regional planning, public policy, demography, accounting, and finance enriches his practice. This breadth enables him to excel in various areas, including pooled financings, tax credit procurements, revenue bond financings, ballot measure campaigns, and public improvement projects.