Retrofitting NYC Cocktail and Networking Summit

​🗓️ Date: September 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: New York, New York
(Venue details provided after registration)
🌟 Presented in partnership with: HOK

​Join NYC’s Retrofit Leaders During Climate Week
An Evening of Innovation, Insight, and Impact

​This Climate Week 2025, connect with top developers, designers, engineers, and financiers for an exclusive evening dedicated to the future of building retrofits in New York City at HOK. This summit offers a dynamic blend of expert-led dialogue and strategic networking; all centered around reimagining and upgrading NYC’s aging building stock.

​Event Focus:
Explore forward-thinking solutions for commercial-to-residential conversions and deep energy retrofits. Engage in meaningful conversations about overcoming the practical, technical, and regulatory challenges that shape the retrofit landscape today.

​Evening Highlights:

• ​Opening Remarks from HOK

• ​Expert Panel Discussion with trailblazers in retrofit innovation

• ​Interactive Roundtable Sessions tackling real-world issues such as:

  • ​Drilling and installing geothermal systems in high water table zones

  • ​Improving building envelopes for enhanced energy performance

  • ​Reducing tenant disruption during retrofit projects

  • ​Replacing boilers with heat pumps and achieving full electrification

  • ​Meeting Local Law 97 & Local Law 11 compliance requirements

​Networking Reception:
Cap off the evening with cocktails and conversation among peers, project partners, and climate-focused changemakers driving NYC’s building transformation.

​Summit Agenda & Speaker Lineup

​​5:00 – 5:50 PM - Registration & Networking

​5:50 - 6:00 PM – Opening Remarks

• ​​Kenneth Drucker, Director of Design at HOK
  – Leads HOK’s New York and Philadelphia studios, crafting context-driven, sustainable architecture that uplifts the human spirit. Active on the ACE Mentor Program board in NYC and with AIA New York. LinkedIn

​6:00 – 6:50 PM - Panel Discussion on Retrofitting NYC

• ​​Kenneth Drucker, Director of Design at HOK
  – Leads HOK’s New York and Philadelphia studios, crafting context-driven, sustainable architecture that uplifts the human spirit. Active on the ACE Mentor Program board in NYC and with AIA New York. LinkedIn

• ​Hrisa Gatzoulis, Director of Sustainability at Rudin
  – Expert in sustainability and data-driven strategies, leveraging energy efficiency, health-focused certifications, and ESG initiatives to optimize building performance and resilience. LinkedIn

• ​Kasey Motley, Senior Sustainable Design Specialist at NJNYPA - specializing in decarbonization of complex municipal infrastructure. She leads the Agency-wide Resilient Energy & Decarbonization Program, develops energy-modeling tools and design standards for electrification and efficiency, and embeds sustainability and environmental justice into public policy across a portfolio of 200+ buildings and 5,000+ vehicles. LinkedIn

• ​Laura Spencer Humphrey, Senior Director Of Energy and Sustainability at L+M Development Partners Inc.
  – Drives sustainable energy initiatives at the intersection of public and private sectors, specializing in market transformation and real-world implementation in the built environment. LinkedIn

• ​Alex Spilger, Head of Sustainability / ESG at Kennedy Wilson - A 15‑year real estate sustainability leader, Alex drives global ESG strategy and portfolio decarbonization, aligning net‑zero carbon, renewable energy, and climate risk initiatives with core business goals. LinkedIn

​​6:50 - 8:00 PM – Interactive Roundtables (Assigned Seating)