Residential buildings produce roughly two-thirds of the state’s building emissions, and commercial buildings produce around one-third.  California must rapidly implement a plan to cut pollution...

Building Decarb Coalition

Prior to joining the BDC, Beckie worked energy programs for CCAs for nearly ten years, working both at MCE and most recently at East Bay Community Energy. Beckie has also worked at both the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission, in addition to overseeing Distributed Energy Resources Programs at the Center for Sustainable Energy. 



Beckie Menten

​Before joining BDC, Daniella served as the Operations Coordinator at Climate Jam Project, where she worked on climate narrative building and communications strategy. Prior to that you could find Daniella at The Climate Reality Project, Community Healing Gardens and Greenpeace.  

Daniella Kelley

Shweta’s professional experience is in the Aerospace industry where she worked as a Power Systems Engineer on  Electric Aircraft technologies. Prior to joining BDC, she pivoted her career into Climate, working as a Program Manager for Cool Irvine to support the City of Irvine achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030. Shweta is currently pursuing her Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas.  

Shweta Sanjeev

Before joining BDC, Nicole served as the Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, where she worked to pass priority legislation, including bills to electrify buildings and school buses. Prior to the Mayor’s Office, Nicole worked as a senior legislative attorney at the New York City Council. At the City Council, Nicole worked on legislation including Local Law 97, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings, and legislation creating commercial waste zones and advancing waste equity.



Nicole Abene

Justin was previously a Senior Attorney at NYU Law School’s Institute for Policy Integrity, where his research and advocacy covered a range of issues relating to energy transition, including transmission development, distributed energy resources deployment, and gas system decarbonization. His work at BDC focuses on utilities and regulatory policy.



Justin Gundlach

Jessica’s background spans climate change and food security research, landscape design, marketing, and meal prep. She draws from these experiences to cook up events rooted in an ethic of imagination, solidarity, and care. Jessica holds a BA in Earth and Planetary Science from Harvard University.  



Jessica Yap

Noah Cordoba

Chef Rachelle Boucher is a celebrated cooking appliance expert and event producer. After years of adventure as a top-tier private chef, Rachelle was recruited into the luxury appliance industry, creating her own position as an influential Culinary Events and Marketing Manager for brands such as Miele, SubZero & Wolf and many others. It was there that she found her calling as a leading advocate for induction cooking and what she calls “today’s super-powered, safe and sustainable electric kitchens”. She has been featured in numerous videos, podcasts and publications including on the front page of the New York Times Food Section, converting legendary food journalist Melissa Clark into an induction cooking fan. 


Rachelle Boucher

Ashley comes to the BDC from leading the Net Zero Imperative at ULI, a nonprofit education and research institute that focuses on issues of land use, real estate, and urban development. She got her start as a Sustainability Project Manager at LivCor, a Blackstone Portfolio Company where she was instrumental in laying the foundation for the multifamily firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) department and driving their sustainability programming forward.  



Ashley Besic

​Andrea grew up in Honduras and Costa Rica surrounded by a family deeply immersed in conservation and the environment. She later spent eight years in Los Angeles, California before moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in Communications. She was previously a Communications Manager at a conservation non-profit focused in Latin America and a Communications Designer at the Mexican Cultural Institute of the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC.   



Andrea Diaz

Prior to joining the BDC, Jacqueline served as Housing California’s Policy Associate, where she engaged in statewide legislation and coalition work around housing instability, homelessness, and intersecting policy areas. Jacqueline is passionate about building collaboration and comprehensive solutions for vulnerable communities. This interest has led her to work on various issues, including health equity, economic development, and resource instability. A Los Angeles native, Jacqueline holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology with a minor in Global Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and graduate degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from the University of Southern California.



Jacqueline Ramirez

Jasmine Graham is the New York Senior Policy & Campaign Manager at [Building Decarb Coalition](/org/building-decarb-coalition). Prior to their current role, they were an Independent Contractor with NYSERDA from October 2021 to May 2022, advising on the Housing and Low-rise Multifamily Technical Working Group during the development of the 2023 NYStretch Energy Code with NYSERDA management and staff. From June 2021 to June 2022, they served as the Energy Justice Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, where they monitored and provided strategic advice, policy briefings, and recommendations on legislative change and energy policy issues at the state and municipal levels. Jasmine has a passion for environmental justice and strives to build community and government awareness on key policy issues through public education, government relations, collaboration with frontline community leaders, and media strategies.

Jasmine Graham has a Master of Business Administration - MBA in Sustainability from Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability, a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from [University of Vermont](/org/university-of-vermont), and a Certificate Program in Finance for Non-Financial Managers from [Emory University](/org/emory-university). Jasmine is also certified as a Climate Reality Leader from The Climate Reality Project and as a PADI Open Water Diver from PADI.

Jasmine Graham

Robin Tung is the California Communications Manager at [Building Decarb Coalition](/org/building-decarb-coalition). Robin has over eight years of experience in strategic communications and project management. Robin has a passion for storytelling and believes that effective communication is key to creating positive change.

Robin started their career as a Communications & Database Manager at Santa Monica Conservancy, where they were responsible for managing the organization's communications, fundraising, and events. Robin then went on to produce a photography lesson for [Skillshare](/org/skillshare). Most recently, Robin has been working as the California Communications Manager at [Building Decarb Coalition](/org/building-decarb-coalition), where they manage the organization's communications and outreach efforts in California.

Robin Tung has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature, General from [UC San Diego](/org/uc-san-diego).

Robin Tung

Justin's professional background spans development, policy communications and international relations. He holds a BS in International Relations and an MS in Government from the University of the West Indies in his native Jamaica, in addition to an MA in Urban & Public Affairs from the [University of San Francisco](/org/university-of-san-francisco). His approach to climate change is rooted in environmental justice and the importance of local community voices to equitably embrace the future.

Justin Pearson

Prior to joining the BDC, Nicole spent the last several years in the tech startup world working in Human Resources and as an Executive Assistant. She worked most recently as Operations Manager at [Semperis](/org/semperis), where her focus was on new hire onboarding and employee experience. Nicole is working toward achieving a PHR certification in Human Resources. She resides in Queens, NY and enjoys spending time with her family, making natural homemade soap, and volunteering at a local animal shelter. 

Nicole Schiller

Empty

Matt comes to the BDC from leading the Buildings Initiative at Acadia Center, a Northeast regional clean energy research and advocacy nonprofit based in Maine. Matt has also worked with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he helped to integrate electrification into the Mass Save programs for the first time, and was a candidate for public office. ​  


Matt Rusteika

Merrian Borgeson champions stronger climate policies by providing analysis and strategic guidance to help us shift to efficient, renewable energy. She works closely with policymakers and stakeholders at the state, regional and national levels as a Senior Scientist at [Natural Resources Defense Council](/org/natural-resources-defense-council) (NRDC). Prior to joining NRDC, Merrian worked as a team leader at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on energy efficiency, financing, and deployment of Recovery Act funding. She also served as the first director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and as the managing director of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (now Common Future). Merrian holds a bachelor’s degree from [Stanford University](/org/stanford), a master’s from the University of California, Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group; and an MBA from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She is based in San Francisco.


Merrian Borgeson

Larry Waters is a BPI Certified Building Analyst Professional, Energy Upgrade California Specialist, building envelope specialist, PV solar designer, insulation specialist, full-house energy advisor, and a veteran NATE certified HVAC service technician with a passion for creating energy efficient homes of the future and pursuing "good" electrification! Larry focuses on designing and implementing clean carbon free ultra-efficient homes energy comfort systems, renewable energy systems and fuel switching conversions. He has been continuously operating in the HVAC trade for 36 years, constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve of technology and trends. He has designed more than 1000 energy efficiency HVAC projects and designed and installed electrification projects in nearly 200 homes.


Larry Waters

Ted Tiffany is the Director of Sustainability for Guttman & Blaevoet Consulting Engineers. A specialist in his field with over 20 years of experience Ted has provided sustainability consulting for a wide range of occupancies such as office, retail, healthcare, laboratory, and industrial facilities. With a diverse background in construction, project management, energy efficiency applications, and sustainable policy, Ted understands key success factors to integrated building design. Ted serves as the Vice Chair for LEED Energy & Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group for the US-Green Building Council. He's currently supporting the industry's transition to full decarbonization through education, outreach, technology -development, research, and policy development to advance healthy electrification and grid harmonization throughout the world.


Ted Tiffany

Andrew Brooks is a founding member of the California's Energy Efficiency for All Coalition (EFFA) and Director of West coast Operations at Association for Energy Affordability (AEA). Andrew has 15 years of energy and green building project and program management experience with specific expertise in HVAC and water heating design assistance, construction oversight, commissioning, troubleshooting and optimization.  Andrew oversees the implementation of multiple energy efficiency, renewable energy and building electrification programs in California with a current combined budget of over $25 million and leads AEA’s research team on projects focused on a variety of multifamily zero net energy related technologies and approaches.  Andrew has been involved in hundreds of energy audits of multifamily and commercial buildings and has provided technical services to a variety of clients including utilities, local government agencies, the [U.S. Department of Energy](/org/u-s-department-of-energy), property owners, developers, management companies, and architectural and engineering firms in both California and New York.


Andrew Brooks

Marc Costa has more than ten years of experience in the building industry focusing on areas ranging from advanced energy community planning, federal energy data standards and software development, as well as state and local government energy policy. Marc is a board member of the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, a Policy Advisory Committee member of the California Technical Forum, advisor to the California Energy Commission on AB 802 data regulations and machine learning GIS data efforts, a member of the [Department of Energy](/org/department-of-energy)’s Task Force to create and implement data exchange standards, and was on the triennial DOE Solar Energy Technology Office investment proposal review team to award National Research Laboratories 2018-2020 funding. He holds a B.S. in Management Science from UCSD, a B.S. in Construction Engineering from CSULB, and is a LEED AP, CGBP, and BOC Level II.  


Marc Costa

Janice Berman is Director, Grid Edge Strategy at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).  Her team’s mission is to test and demonstrate innovative technologies, programs, and capabilities that are needed to operate the “grid of tomorrow.” Prior to her current role, she oversaw customer products including energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, electric vehicles, and pricing. She has worked in most aspects of the utility business, including strategy, regulatory, rates, electric transmission, gas transmission, information technology, and customer care.  She is a currently a Board Member of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and a Senior Fellow for the New Buildings Institute (NBI). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from [Whitman College](/org/whitman-college), a Master’s degree in Operations Research from [Stanford University](/org/stanford), and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley. 


Jan Berman

Prior to joining BDC, Romy was the Chief Operating Officer for the Waters Center for Systems Thinking, a gold standard provider of systems thinking resources worldwide. Prior to Waters Center, Romy worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations where she developed an extensive background in nonprofit operations, financial management, board governance, HR Management, fundraising and event management.


Romy Banks

Scott Blunk is the Strategic Business Planner of Electrification and Energy Efficiency at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). He is a mechanical engineer, general contractor, real estate broker, as well as a Building Performance Institute Super Proctor and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. Scott heads [SMUD](/org/smud)'s long range planning for electrification and energy efficiency and has years of experience designing, developing and building green and energy efficient solutions for residential, multifamily and commercial properties. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from [Purdue University](/org/purdue-university) and his Master's in Business Administration from [Marquette University](/org/marquette-university). 


Scott Blunk

Greg Hale joined the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in February 2018, as Senior Advisor for Energy Efficiency Markets and Finance.  Greg is leading NYSERDA’s development of a policy roadmap to achieve a statewide carbon neutral building stock by 2050.  This work includes strategic leadership for RetrofitNY, an initiative aimed at developing scalable existing building retrofit solutions that achieve or approach net zero energy, as well as overseeing the integration of all NYSERDA net zero initiatives.  Prior to joining NYSERDA, Greg served in Governor Cuomo’s administration as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of Energy & Finance, where he focused on the development and execution of the Governor’s signature energy policy– Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). Mr. Hale is a graduate of [Dartmouth College](/org/dartmouth) and The University of Michigan Law School.


Greg Hale

Christine Tam is a Senior Resource Planner with the Utilities Department at the City of Palo Alto. During her tenure at Palo Alto, she has developed energy efficiency programs and led pilot projects to test emerging technologies. In the past 4 years, she has focused on building electrification as a key strategy to meet Palo Alto’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Christine works with staff across city departments to encourage voluntary electrification of natural gas appliances and to implement mandates where appropriate. Prior to joining Palo Alto, Christine worked at the California Public Utilities Commission’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates, and led DRA’s positions in the use of ratepayer funds for energy efficiency programs and the implementation of California’s AB 32 Scoping Plan.Christine received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Engineering Economic Systems from [Stanford University](/org/stanford). 


Christine Tam

Aimee Gotway Bailey is the Director of Decarbonization and Grid Innovation at Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). Aimee’s work centers around identifying and managing technical, economic and regulatory barriers and opportunities to achieve deep decarbonization. Prior to SVCE, Aimee held positions focused on solar technology and policy, climate policy, emerging technologies and strategic planning at EDF Innovation Lab, Pacific Gas & Electric, City of Palo Alto Utilities, Global Environmental Institute (Beijing, China) and the [U.S. Department of Energy](/org/u-s-department-of-energy). Aimee has a BSE in materials science from the [University of Pennsylvania](/org/university-of-pennsylvania) in Philadelphia and a PhD in physics from Imperial College in London.


Aimee Bailey

Michelle Thomas leads the Building Electrification initiative for Southern California Edison, providing strategic direction for the development and delivery of building electrification pilots, programs and services for residential and non-residential customers, builders, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and other market actors. Michelle has worked in the electric utility industry for close to 25 years holding management and project management positions in energy efficiency, policy and regulatory, strategic planning, codes and standards, and building electrification. Michelle feels fortunate to be able to collaborate with an inspiring team of professionals that work daily to find innovative ways to accomplish SCE’s and the state’s building decarbonization/GHG reduction goals. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach, and she is currently working on her Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate at [Johns Hopkins University](/org/johns-hopkins-university).


Michelle Thomas

Prior to joining the BDC, Ms. Leader served as the Corporate Communications Manager for [Sunrun](/org/sunrun), the national leader in home solar and energy services. Prior to [Sunrun](/org/sunrun), Ms. Leader served as the Communications Director for [FreeWire Technologies](/org/freewire-technologies) and as the Director of Eco, Wellness and Social Responsibility Partnerships for the HuffPost Partner Studio.


Jessica Leader

Karen Meyers is Vice President of Government Affairs for Rheem Manufacturing and Chair-Elect of The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy. She actively participates in a number of industry committees for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, the [Department of Energy](/org/department-of-energy), the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the Public Affairs Council, the HMA-HVACR Manufacturers Association, and the [National Association of Manufacturers](/org/the-national-association-of-manufacturers). Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communications from the [University of Central Arkansas](/org/university-of-central-arkansas).


Karen Meyers

Prior to her appointment as Deputy Director, Ms. Partin was the Founding Director of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. She is the former North American Regional Director of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Senior Environmental Policy Advisor to former San Francisco Mayors Gavin Newsom and Edward Lee.​


Johanna Partin

Prior to joining the BDC, Ms. Dix served as the Senior Campaign Manager of the [Sierra Club](/org/sierra-club)’s groundbreaking ‘Beyond Coal,’ campaign, where her leadership was instrumental in ending the use of coal fired power plants in New York State. A longtime and vigorous advocate for renewable energy, Ms. Dix helped launch the state’s Offshore Wind Master Plan, committing New York State to generate 9,000 gigawatts of electricity from wind, the nation’s largest amount of wind generated energy.


Lisa Dix

Prior to BDC, Mr. Torres worked as California Environmental Justice Alliance's Energy Equity Program Manager, where he oversaw their energy legislative, regulatory, and implementation work. He also worked at the California Energy Commission’s Office of Governmental Affairs and at both the California State Assembly and Senate. His career in public service started as a California Senate Fellow in the Office of Senator Alex Padilla.


Jose Torres

Erich Fleck

Panama Bartholomy

Prior to BDC, Ms. Rider was a Principal at Archamy Consulting, a sustainability consulting firm. She has held positions with local government agencies, an electric utility, and consulting firms. Her work has focused on advancing building science and optimizing climate action through policy, knowledge sharing, behavior change, and technology implementation.


Amy Rider

Brian Barnacle

Jess Leader

Ashleigh Spurgeon

Lawrence Garber

Kristin George Bagdanov

Luis Amezcua

Mark Lessans is a Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs at [Johnson Controls](/org/johnson-controls), where he leads advocacy strategies and roadmap development in the decarbonizaion space.  He has 10 years of experience in energy efficiency policy, previously at [Ingersoll Rand](/org/ingersoll-rand), where he managed climate strategy and market transformation efforts predominantly for the company’s Trane Residential and Commercial brands.  Prior to [Ingersoll Rand](/org/ingersoll-rand), Mark held roles at the [U.S. Department of Energy](/org/u-s-department-of-energy) and the Alliance to Save Energy.


Mark Lessans

Rachel Golden is the Deputy Director of the [Sierra Club](/org/sierra-club)'s Clean Buildings Campaign, where she focuses on accelerating an equitable transition off gas to all-electric homes and buildings powered by clean energy.  She works with campaigners, attorneys, analysts, communication professionals, organizers, and [Sierra Club](/org/sierra-club) local chapters and volunteers to launch and execute gas-free buildings campaigns across the U.S.  Rachel has a background in energy policy having worked on energy efficiency and renewable energy for advocacy organizations, state agencies, and philanthropic organizations.  She has a dual-Masters degree from [UC Berkeley](/org/uc-berkeley) in Energy Resources and Public Policy.  Rachel loves her induction stove and is saving up for some heat pumps!


Building Decarb Coalition

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