Decarb NY New Construction & Grid Resiliency

​You're Invited: Decarb NY - New Construction & Grid Resiliency

​​🗓️ Date: Aug 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: New York, New York
(Venue details provided after registration)
🌟 Presented in partnership with: SOM, Voltus, Ampd, JB&B, INF Associates, and Noventa

​​Build Smarter. Comply Faster. Decarbonize NYC.

​As Local Law 97, electrification mandates, and grid resiliency reshape NYC's building landscape, Decarb NY New Construction & Grid Resiliency unites leaders from real estate, policy, energy, and finance to tackle these critical challenges.

​Join us for a half-day summit featuring expert panels, practical insights, and case studies focused on high-performance new construction and the evolving electric grid of New York City.

​From Con Edison’s grid strategy to innovative C-PACE financing to Ampd Energy’s emission-free power solutions, gain essential knowledge to stay ahead in design, development, and sustainability.

​Key Topics:

• ​The evolution of LEED and certification programs toward authentic net-zero.

• ​Building smarter envelopes, foundations, and sustainable materials.

• ​Electrification, HVAC optimization, and net-zero ready design approaches.

• ​On-site renewables, BIPV, microgrids, and clean energy integration.

• ​Navigating Local Law 97 compliance and carbon credit strategies.

• ​Clean construction financing: C-PACE, ESG investing, private equity, and institutional capital.

​Why Now?

​With Local Law 97 deadlines approaching and grid demands intensifying, Decarb NY equips you with the tools and connections to lead climate-smart construction and infrastructure planning. Whether you're a developer, designer, investor, or policymaker, secure your place to future-proof your projects and strategy. Space is limited.

​Summit Agenda & Speaker Lineup

​​8:00 – 8:50 AM - Registration & Networking

​8:50 – 9:00 AM - Opening 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

​​9:00 - 9:20 AM – Scaling Global Standards to Local Action. How Certifications are Evolving

• ​​Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO of the Global Network for Zero and former President and CEO of USGBC
  – LinkedIn

​9:20 - 9:40 AM – Designing for Performances: SOM's Sustainable Architecture Approach

• ​​Sigal Shemesh, Associate, Sustainability Lead at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
  – Leads sustainability strategy integration across multi-scale projects, focusing on regenerative design, carbon reduction, and occupant well-being. LinkedIn

​9:40 - 10:00 AM – An Emissions Free Future for Industries

• ​​Chris Claeys, VP of Business Development, North America at Ampd Energy - Drives market growth for emission-free power solutions in construction and industrial sectors, forging partnerships and strategies to replace diesel generators with clean, quiet battery storage and advance sustainable temporary power.

​10:00 - 10:40 AM – Panel: New Construction & Grid Resiliency Planning and Investing How do you design tomorrow’s buildings when today’s grid is already under strain?

• ​​Alex Schneider, Regional Sales Manager at Voltus
  – Enables asset owners to monetize grid flexibility through Voltus’s demand-response and distributed energy resource programs in the NYISO and ISO-NE markets. LinkedIn

• ​​Antonio Caccavale, Section Manager - Strategic Planning at Con Edison
  – Leverages 18 years of utilities experience and an MS in Mechanical Engineering to drive strategy development, technology implementation, and asset optimization. Skilled in analytics, quality assurance, and project management, he leads process improvements and real estate initiatives for the company. LinkedIn

• ​Jennifer Cass- SVP of Sustainability at NYC/EDC - Leads a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects driving economic growth and climate resilience in New York City. Over 20 years’ experience in civil and environmental engineering, specializing in integrating emerging sustainability and resilience principles into complex project delivery. LinkedIn

• ​Benjamin Barker, Principal, Sustainable Portfolio Operations at Apollo Global Management - Leads ESG integration and impact investing across Apollo’s private equity portfolios, embedding sustainable value-creation measures to drive business, social, and environmental performance. LinkedIn

• ​Moderator: TBA

​10:40 - 11:00 AM – Coffee & Networking

​11:00 - 11:10 AM – Decarbonization Projects: Lessons Learned

• ​​Aundre Oldacre, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at AoRa Development
  – Specializes in sustainable real estate development, innovative financing, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to maximize investment returns. LinkedIn

​11:10 - 11:20 AM – Waste Energy Transfer Technology Presentation

• ​Noventa

​11:20 - 11:30 AM – Technologies for Decarbonizing Building Retrofits

• ​Alex Mikszewski, VP, Building Decarbonization / Energy Solutions at INF Associates
  – Sustainability and engineering leader driving strategic decarbonization and energy-efficiency programs for commercial and institutional buildings. Brings 20+ years of expertise from roles at WSP USA, The Met, Brooklyn Public Library, and environmental consultancies. LinkedIn

​11:30 - 12:00 AM – Decarbonization Case Study Federal Buildings

• ​Joëlle Jahn, New England Leader, Deep Carbon Reduction at JB&B - Leads net-zero energy and carbon strategies for new and existing buildings across New England, specializing in energy/carbon benchmarking, renewable energy analysis, and sustainability policy, and advising on Boston’s Net Zero Carbon Zoning Code. LinkedIn

• ​Catherine Selby, Principal at Dattner Architects
  – Oversees institutional and civic projects—from libraries and museums to healthcare, education, and residential facilities—ensuring sustainable, context-driven design across New York City. LinkedIn

• ​Christopher Colasanti, Partner at JB&B
  – Leads the Energy and Deep Carbon Reduction teams, delivering high-efficiency, low-carbon systems for landmark projects like One Bryant Park (NYC’s first LEED Platinum tower), MoMA expansion, and NYU Langone’s hospital. LinkedIn

• ​Luis Morales, Senior Architect at Dattner Architects
  – Leads design and construction of complex hospital and outpatient renovations across NYC, blending deep expertise in adaptive reuse, envelope resilience, and Decarbonization. LinkedIn

• ​Mike Virgilio, Portfolio Energy & Electrification Advisor at GSA
  – Advances federal energy resilience by designing and implementing energy & water conservation strategies, utility and pollution-free electricity policies. LinkedIn

• ​Mary Beth B., Preconstruction Manager, Energy at Consigli Construction
  – Leads energy-focused preconstruction for complex building projects, driving cost-effective, sustainable design solutions from bidding through early design phases. LinkedIn

​12:00 AM – 12:05 PM 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