Corey Squire, AIA – Sustainability Director, Bora Architecture & Interior

Corey Squire, AIA is Sustainability Director at Bora Architecture & Interior in Portland Oregon, and a member of the AIA’s Strategic Council. He lectures nationally on a range of sustainability-related topics and was a creator of AIA Framework for Design Excellence, a resource that’s actively redefining excellence in the built environment. Corey is the author of the recently published book, People, Planet, Design: A Practical Guide to Realizing Architecture’s Potential.

Paul Fast – Founder, Fast + Epp

As founder of Fast + Epp, Paul is passionate about design excellence. He has been recognized for his unconventional use of materials, emerging as a leader in architecturally exposed structures, often pushing the design envelope to create hybrids of timber, concrete and steel.

A registered engineer in Canadian, American and German jurisdictions, Paul was named an Honorary Member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers in the United Kingdom in 2010. In September 2021, Paul was awarded the 2021 Gold Medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers for his exceptional contributions to the advancement of structural engineering.

Frances Kwong, AIA – Architect, Non-Profits & Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing

Frances Kwong is an architect with deep non-profit experience, starting with a volunteer year of service building energy-efficient affordable housing, with current board and volunteer positions, and by working closely with non-profit clients to fulfill their mission to the communities they serve. She has a passion for socially relevant work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Gwen Fuertes, AIA – Architect, Sustainability and Post-Occupancy Research, LMSA

Gwen Fuertes is an architect with a building science background who heads up sustainability and post-occupancy research efforts at LMSA. She is currently an at-large member of the AIA Strategic Council and is passionate about mentorship and education. Gwen has held lecturer positions at UC Berkeley and California College of the Arts.

Lindsey Maclise – Principal, Forell Elsesser

Lindsey is a Principal at Forell Elsesser with over 18 years of experience in structural engineering, during which she has successfully led engineering efforts for many large, complex projects. She is deeply passionate about sustainability in the built environment and spearheads initiatives that promote environmentally responsible and healthy building design, construction, and operation. As the leader of F|E’s internal Carbon Neutral Initiative, Lindsey oversees all aspects of sustainability within the firm, ensuring a consistent focus on reducing environmental impact across projects. Her collaborative approach allows her to work closely with design teams, architects, and owners, translating sustainability goals into practical and innovative structural solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. Lindsey is also actively involved with industry organizations, serving as an Advisory Committee Chair for the UC Berkeley Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and as a Past Board Member of SEAONC. She has also chaired the SEAONC Sustainable Design Committee, demonstrating her commitment to advancing sustainability practices in structural engineering and has been a speaker at Greenbuild on the topics of resilience and embodied carbon and low carbon concrete implementation.

Marco Alves, PE, LEED AP – Principal, PAE Engineers

Marco Alves is a Principal at PAE Engineers with 25 years of expertise in sustainable building systems, mechanical design, and project management. Known for his innovative approach and collaborative spirit, Marco has contributed to award-winning projects that prioritize energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and occupant well-being. His work supports PAE’s mission to advance net-zero and regenerative design practices through practical, high-performance solutions. Marco’s portfolio includes the Sonoma County Community College masterplan, the Presidio Tunnel Tops Youth Center in San Francisco, San Francisco University High School, and Sunnyvale City Hall—projects that showcase his expertise in mechanical systems, energy modeling, and renewable energy integration. A passionate advocate for climate-responsive design, Marco frequently engages in industry conferences and thought leadership, sharing insights on how engineering can drive meaningful change in the built environment. Through his work, he continues to push the boundaries of sustainable design and inspire a more resilient future.

Richard A. Ludt – Director of Environmental Affairs/LEED AP Interior Removal Specialist, Inc.

Richard has been in the demolition and reycycling industry for more than 22 years, working to reshape the C&D recycling industry to increase diversion and transparency. After taking lead on permitting their own C&D Material Recovery Facility, Richard has spearheaded diversion at IRS Demo, working with their excellent staff to achieve one of the highest diversion rates for commercial interior C&D debris to be found in the United States.

Richard has held the position of Corporate Director of Recycling and Material Recovery for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) for the last 12 years, sat on the Board for the Los Angeles Chapter of the US Green Building Council for 6 years, and currently sits on the board of the Construction and Demolition Recycling Association where he Chairs the Legislative Committee.

Sophie Pennetier – Founding Director, Digne, & Adjunct Faculty, SCI-Arc

Sophie Pennetier is a structural engineer with expertise in façades and sustainability. She founded Digne in 2024 to support manufacturers and non-profits decarbonization in the built environment. Digne projects include glass recycling research and innovation, carbon-informed design and procurement support to manufacturers including Enclos, and other circularity projects. Her 17 years’ experience spans from consulting (with RFR, GNA, SHoP Construction, Arup) to contracting with Enclos, where she has lead Sustainability efforts until 2024.

Adjunct Faculty with SCI-Arc since ‘21, Sophie teaches Structures, Facades Tectonics and Embodied Carbon. Serving on the Board of Directors of the Façade Tectonics Institute, she has developed the FTI Carbon group research and grown its educational content. In 2023 she was awarded, in the individual category, the US Glass Sustainability Award for her contributions to industry research and education.

Ilaria Mazzoleni – Architetta, Biomimicist, Educator, Founder of IM Studio Milano/Los Angeles

Ilaria Mazzoleni is an architetta, biomimicist, educator, and the founder of IM Studio Milano/Los Angeles (www.imstudio.us) and of Nature, Art & Habitat (www.nahr.it). She lives and works between Italy and California. Her research focuses on sustainability and biomimicry, where innovation in planning, architecture and design is inspired by the processes and functions of nature. Her built and conceptual work in the fields of sustainable architecture and biomimicry has been published internationally. Ilaria has been a faculty member at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), CalArts, and CalPoly Pomona. Mazzoleni has authored and published the book Architecture Follows Nature – Biomimetic Principles for Innovative Design (CRC Press, 2013). She is the Chief Editor of the book Transect of Coexistence: Inquiry into Nature, Art, and Habitat, (ListLab, 2024). Ilaria holds a Master in Architecture from the Milan Polytechnic, Italy, a Master of Building Science from USC, Los Angeles, USA.

Kishani De Silva – Founder & Principal, 2A+D Management Services LLC & Associate Professor and Inaugural Chair, Construction Management, Woodbury University

Kishani De Silva has worked in the architecture and design industries in the project and major program arenas. She is also the founder and principal of her management consultancy, Arts, Architecture + Design Management Services. Kishani has worked as a Project Manager at Foster + Partners, London, managing large, complex contracts from inception to post contract. As a FUSE Fellow she advised the executive office of the LA County Development Authority on housing and homelessness. At Woodbury, as lead faculty for the Solar Decathlon Build Challenge, she led a team to construct the first, permitted 3D-printed dwelling in Los Angeles, leveraging emerging technology and addressing climate resilience. She was also the inaugural chair of a new construction management program. Kishani has a MSc in Major Program Management from the University of Oxford, England, certifications in executive leadership from Cornell and Emerging Design and Technology from MIT’s Media Lab, and a BArch from Woodbury. 

Her work relating to housing innovation, sustainability and the business of design have been published in the LA Times, 2023; Next City, 2019; Metropolis, 2016 and Design Intelligence, 2012.

Michael F. Malinowski, FAIA – Consultant in Regulatory, Code and Housing Matters, American Institute of Architects, California

Michael F. Malinowski, FAIA, is a consultant in regulatory, code and housing matters for the American Institute of Architects, California. In that role he spearheaded successful efforts to bring the country’s first mandatory embodied carbon measures to CALGreen, as well as seven new chapters to California’s Existing Building Code, increasing potential for building reuse with a focus on commercial to housing. He is principal of Applied Architecture Inc. in Sacramento with 45 year’s experience in adaptive reuse and residential projects at all scales; current member of the AIA National Code Committee and former two term member of the ICC Existing Building Code Committee. He is also founder and president of the non-profit Streamline Institute which advances regulatory efficiency and effectiveness around the country through research, development, and information sharing. Mike has been elected President of the 11,000 member AIA California, elevated to Fellowship by his peers; appointed Chair of Sacramento’s Development Oversite, Preservation and Design Review Commissions, and broadly contributed to civic, architectural, and professional advancement, leadership, and knowledge sharing.

Ashley Langenfeld – Director of Sustainability, Hoefer Welker

As the Director of Sustainability, Ashley heads up Hoefer Welker’s sustainability initiative and services. She has a diverse background in sustainable engineering, construction, and design. As a champion of sustainability, Ashley continually raises the bar in regard to performance-driven sustainable design at Hoefer Welker, bringing new services in house, as well as educating and empowering the next generation of sustainability champions. Locally, she is an advocate for green policy and design through her involvement with the Climate and Environmental Council, AIA Sustainability Round Table for KC, and USGBC Market Leadership Board for her local chapter. She is also a national thought leader with her engagement in the national AIA Large Firm Round Table, and her involvement in GBI’s Consensus Bureau, both of GBI’s Energy and Material Committees, and USGBC’s LEED Advancement Group.

Lynn N. Simon, FAIA, LEED Fellow – Principal & West Sustainability Services Leader, Arup

Lynn N. Simon, FAIA, LEED Fellow, is a Principal and West Sustainability Services Leader at Arup. Lynn’s role is market focused where she advocates for sustainable development from decarbonization to nature-based solutions. With over two decades of experience, Lynn influences behaviors and mindsets to achieve climate, sustainability, and equity goals across tech, real estate, and AEC sectors. Her expertise includes developing client relationships, convening stakeholders, driving cross-functional programs, and building global teams.

Lynn chairs the AIA CA Climate Action Committee and has spoken at over 200 industry events on sustainability, leadership, and diversity. She received the USGBC Pacific Region SHERO Leadership Award, gb&d Magazine Women in Sustainability Leadership Award, and the USGBC President’s Leadership Award. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a BA in Environmental Design from UC Berkeley. Lynn is also a certified integral coach from New Ventures West.

Eric Corey Freed – Principal & Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign

Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, and global speaker. As Principal and Director of Sustainability for CannonDesign, he leads the healthcare, education, and commercial teams toward low-carbon, healthy, regenerative buildings for over 30 million square feet a year. For two decades, he was Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design.

His past roles include Vice President of the International Living Future Institute and Chief Community Officer of EcoDistricts, both nonprofits pushing innovative new paradigms for deep green buildings and communities. He serves on the board of Design Museum Everywhere, whose mission is to “bring the transformative power of design to all.”

Eric is the author of 12 books, including “Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies” and “Circular Economy for Dummies.” In 2012, he was named one of the 25 “Best Green Architecture Firms” in the US, and one of the “Top 10 Most Influential Green Architects.” In 2017, he was named one of Build’s American Architecture Top 25. He’s one of the 2021 Environment + Energy Leaders and in 2024, he was named the Net Zero Trailblazer for Innovation. He holds a prestigious LEED Fellow award from the US Green Building Council.

Kyle Pickett – Co-founder & VP Emeritus, William J. Worthen Foundation

Kyle Pickett is the Co-founder and VP Emeritus for the William J. Worthen Foundation, a 501c3 public benefit corporation that conducts research and creates outreach initiatives on the planning, design, construction, performance, and beauty of the built environment. The Worthen Foundation produced the award-winning Water Reuse Practice Guide and the 7-volume publication of the Building Decarbonization Practice Guide. Additionally, Kyle serves as Director, Special Projects for Verdani Institute for the Built Environment and as a Senior Advisor for USGBC California. Kyle lectures on resource stewardship strategies for the built environment at universities and vocational schools across California. Previously, Kyle was Director, Leadership and Market Development for New Buildings Institute. His tenure included oversight of the Getting to Zero Forum, a conference collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute. And until August 2021, Kyle served as Urban Fabrick Inc’s Co-founder and COO and was responsible for the consultancy’s West Coast operations. His leadership had established the firm as an influential community partner and reputable for inclusive technical training and successful sustainability projects.

Andrea Chiu – Licensed Structural Engineer, Nucor Construction

Andrea Chiu is a licensed structural engineer in California. As a part of Nucor’s Construction Solutions team, she works with project teams to incorporate latest advancements in steel manufacturing to strengthen project delivery. Her strong background in building design has allowed her to showcase the strengths of steel, especially in sustainability, throughout the West Coast. Andrea also serves as the Chair of the Steel Tube Institute Sustainability and Solar Task Committee and the Chair of Steel Deck Institute Sustainability Subcommittee.

Abstract: Building Resiliently and Sustainably with Steel
Nearly everyone involved in designing the built environment knows that steel plays a heavy role in construction. However, it is important to identify the advantages to building with steel for both a resilient and sustainable structure as we look toward stewarding our resources in the future. Join this lunch think to explore how steel structures offer flexibility for users to reimagine their spaces, reducing the options to tear down and build anew in the future. We will also discuss the carbon advantages of utilizing steel with the current availability of sustainably made steel.

Aria Mascall – Graduate Façade Engineer, Buro Happold, Los Angeles

Aria Mascall is currently a Graduate Façade Engineer at Buro Happold in Los Angeles. She recently graduated with honors as the valedictorian of her class in the department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, receiving a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and a minor in Sustainable Built Environments from the University of Arizona. Stemming from her childhood in Powell Butte, Oregon, her passion for innovative and critical design fosters a disposition for resilient and sustainable developmental practices. Following multiple embodied carbon research studies, Aria became involved with Carbon Leadership Forum as a Co-Lead for the Los Angeles Hub, which she believes represents an important initiative in creating awareness and action in design at a local level.