Decarb Massachusetts Higher Education and K12
Higher Education and K12: Advancing Decarbonization & Sustainability
🗓️ Date: June 11, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Waltham, MA
(Further details provided after registration)
🌟 Sponsored By: Trane, Building Envelope LLC, SGH, and QEA Tech
Exploring Decarbonization Strategies in K12 and Higher Ed
This exclusive event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to discuss financing, geothermal solutions, utility decarbonization, and best practices for building sustainable campus environments. Learn from real-world case studies, innovative technologies, and policy insights to drive impactful change in higher education.
Join us for a morning of expert discussions, strategic networking, and actionable insights aimed at supporting the transition to a low-carbon future in higher education institutions.
Event Highlights & Key Topics
K12 Case Studies in Decarbonization
Case Studies in Campus Decarbonization
Thermal Energy Networks and Clean Technologies
Sustainable Building Envelope Planning
Geothermal Solutions for Campus Energy Efficiency
Event Agenda & Speaker Lineup
8:50 – 9:00 AM Opening Remarks Joshua Kivela, Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.
9:00 - 9:45 AM – Concord Middle School Case Study
Joshua Kivela, Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.
– Expert in building enclosures and forensic investigation, specializing in durable, high-performance glazing and facade solutions through assessment, design, and innovation. LinkedInLance Brown, Assistant Vice President, Project Management at WSP
– A mechanical commissioning engineer with WSP. His experience spans many building types and includes time as an energy modeler, so he considers energy saving and decarbonization opportunities on every project. Lance is a licensed professional engineer (MA & NH), a certified energy manager (AEE), and a certified commissioning professional (BCCB) LinkedInIan Parks, Program Director at The LiRo Group
– Driving transformative project management across complex construction and development initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience at firms like Hill International and The Gordian Group, he excels in delivering successful, community-focused projects.LinkedInJennifer Soucy, Project Architect at SMMA
– Drives multidisciplinary design projects and champions professional excellence, particularly in commercial interior design. LinkedIn
9:45 - 10:25 AM – K12 Building Envelopes & Decarbonization Practices
Real-world examples of sustainability initiatives transforming campus infrastructure.
Ryan David Ewell (moderator), Director at Envelope LLC. - Championing building resiliency across the Northeastern US with innovative façade solutions. A Pratt Institute graduate focused on regenerative design, he leverages extensive experience—from roles at HOK and GBA—to deliver lasting envelope systems for colleges, government, transit, and more. LinkedIn
Colin Schless, Director, Client Decarbonization Services at Turner Construction Company
– Leads ambitious decarbonization efforts, pioneering net-zero and all-electric building projects while aligning sustainability with financial viability to drive impactful climate solutions. LinkedInKate Bubriski, Principal at Arrowstreet Inc. - A sustainability leader with extensive expertise in net zero energy and integrated design, having led Arrowstreet’s portfolio - including Massachusetts’ first net zero energy school. An active industry advocate, she advances holistic building performance that delivers social, environmental, and economic benefits. LinkedIn
Mark Vasu, VP Business Development at QEA Tech - Forges strategic partnerships and scales AI-driven decarbonization solutions for the built environment. A serial entrepreneur and ecosystem builder, he has launched and grown multiple climate-tech startups to drive enduring clean-energy innovation at scale. LinkedIn
Morgan Perras, Energy Services Account Executive at Trane - Partners with public and private entities across the Northeast to transform buildings into healthy, sustainable assets. She combines deep expertise in HVAC systems, controls, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and decarbonization to deliver tailored solutions that drive performance and business outcomes. LinkedIn
10:25 – 10:55 AM Coffee & Networking
10:55 - 11:25 AM – Best Practices for Planning and Delivering Decarbonization Targets
Developing and implementing actionable strategies for long-term sustainability.
Tanja Srebotnjak, Executive Director, Zilkha Center for the Environment at Williams College
– Sustainability leader with expertise in environmental performance strategy, climate policy, and renewable energy, driving transformative sustainability initiatives across institutions and organizations. LinkedInJonathan Hernández, Director of Geoscience at Brightcore Energy - Leverages a UCLA-trained geoscientist’s drilling, reservoir engineering, and climate policy expertise to drive global geothermal exploration and project development. LinkedIn
11:25 - 11:55 AM – Geothermal Solutions
Innovative approaches to integrating geothermal energy into campus infrastructure.
Brock Yordy (moderator), Co-Founder at Geothermal Drillers Association - A global drilling SME with 20 years’ experience leading water, geothermal, and critical resource projects in diverse environments. He’s a prolific industry educator, authoring 100+ National Driller articles, and hosts the “Ask Brock” and “The Driller Newscast” series to train and inspire the next generation. LinkedIn
Joshua Soble, Regional Business Development Manager at Celsius Energy
– Drives renewable energy growth and clean tech innovation, specializing in project development, energy efficiency, and strategic financing to optimize sustainability in the built environment. LinkedInIsabel Varela, Science Director at HEET
– A collaborative geoscientist with over 13 years’ experience in 4D seismic, CCUS, and energy-transition analytics. As Science Director at HEET, she leads the LeGUp geothermal networks consortium and pioneers data-driven subsurface solutions for sustainable energy. LinkedInEric Bosworth, Principal Consultant at Thermal Energy Insights - Driving pilots in utility-scale geothermal networks, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas to accelerate New England’s clean energy transition. A Carnegie Mellon alum and IFC geothermal specialist, he crafts regulatory strategies and forges stakeholder partnerships to scale transformative decarbonization solutions.
11:55 AM - Closing Remarks
Scott Donachie, CEO at Decarb Summits.
– Connecting decision-makers across real estate, finance, and technology to drive sustainable impact, leading over 170+ organizations in transforming the built environment. LinkedIn
Why Attend?
✅ Gain insights from top industry experts on campus decarbonization and energy efficiency
✅ Learn best practices for financing and implementing sustainable solutions
✅ Explore real-world case studies and innovative clean technologies
✅ Network with sustainability leaders and decision-makers in higher education
Register to Reserve Your Spot!
For inquiries or to request an invitation, please contact: andrew.byrne@decarbsummits.com