​🗓️ Date: October 8th, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: New York, New York
(Venue details provided after registration)

​🌟 Presented in partnership with: Trane, Brightcore, Ainsworth, Mitrex, and SOM

​Join leaders from SUNY, CUNY, Rutgers, MIT, Brooklyn College, Pratt, Pace University, and many more for a pivotal summit focused on accelerating sustainability in higher education. This event will address the unique challenges and expansive opportunities involved in transforming academic institutions into models of climate leadership.

​Key discussions will explore the integration of cutting-edge solutions such as thermal energy networks, geothermal systems, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), solar energy, battery storage, microgrids, and demand response technologies—all critical tools in the drive toward campus decarbonization.

​We will examine the vital role of modernized building codes in enabling energy-efficient retrofits, showcase innovations in HVAC systems, and highlight how advanced energy infrastructure is reshaping sustainability strategies across campuses.

​This summit offers a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and actionable insights as we work together to position higher education at the forefront of the clean energy transition—setting the standard for other sectors to follow.

​Be part of the conversation. Help shape the sustainable future of education—across New York and beyond.

​Summit Agenda & Speaker Lineup

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

​8:50 - 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks

• ​Leonard Lopate, Associate Principal at Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP                              - A technical leader in mixed-use, commercial office, and institutional projects. He works hands-on with clients, engineers, contractors, and fabricators to translate design intent into high-performance, constructible solutions that minimize environmental impact. Known for rigorous documentation and coordination, Len drives quality workmanship and reliable, on-schedule deliverables. LinkedIn

​​Morning Sessions

​9:00 - 9:30 AM – Best Practices for Decarbonizing Campuses

• ​Shaun Hoyte (moderator), Head of Clean Energy Networks at Con Edison - Develops cross-sector partnerships and strategies to accelerate clean energy financing, decarbonization technologies, and workforce development, driving market transformation and resilience. LinkedIn

• ​Hany Ayoub, at Columbia University
  – Oversees all design, engineering, and construction across the 6.8 million sq ft Manhattanville campus. Since 2017 he’s delivered landmark, award-winning facilities — Jerome L. Greene Science Center; Lenfest School of the Arts; Lee C. Bollinger Forum; David Geffen and Henry Kravis Halls; The Square; and Central Energy Plant expansion, all achieving LEED Gold and the campus’s first Stage 1 LEED Platinum ND award. He’s now leading the new 600 W 125th St residence and master planning future phases. LinkedIn

• ​Angela Oberg, at Rutgers University - leads institutional strategy for carbon neutrality, climate resilience, and sustainability integration. Previously Associate Director for Rutgers’ Office of Climate Action, she served as Administrative Director of the President’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience, and teaches sustainable design and policy as an Assistant Teaching Professor. LinkedIn

• ​Ladan Haji-Mohamed, Senior Sustainability Engineer at Skanska USA - Advances low-carbon strategies on major projects. Previously with The Walsh Group (Walsh/Archer Western), she held project engineering and management roles and helped deliver LaGuardia Terminal B’s $4B redevelopment, achieving LEED v4 Gold and Envision v3 Platinum. Ladan holds an M.S. in Sustainability from The City College of New York and B.S./M.S. degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon, with earlier experience at UN DESA and NYU Tandon. LinkedIn

​9:30 - 9:50 AM – Tech Talk: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

• ​​Cory Fry, Sales Director at Mitrex - Leads the commercial rollout of building-integrated photovoltaics, guiding clients in the commercial and institutional sectors to adopt sustainable envelope solutions. Skilled at building strategic relationships, driving sales growth, and delivering tailored renewable-energy cladding systems. LinkedIn

​9:50 – 10:20 AM - Coffee Break & Networking

​10:20 – 10:35 AM - Spotlight: Case Studies: Decentralized Approaches to Decarbonizing MIT and Weber State University

• ​Susan Murcott, Lecturer at MIT's D-Lab - A civil and environmental engineer, Susan has been teaching at MIT for the past 27 years. Courses include Climate/Health, Water/Sanitation and recently, the first academic course in North America on Thermal Energy Networks. She leads a MIT alumni group (MIT Alumni for Climate Action) focused on MIT campus decarbonization. LinkedIn

• ​Megan Lim, Marketing and Business Development Consultant at GreyEdge Group - Megan is a marketing and business development consultant at The GreyEdge Group — a firm specializing in architecture, engineering and design of complex thermal energy systems that has pioneered and helped shape the industry. LinkedIn

​10:35 – 10:50 AM - Technology Showcase: Brightcore Energy

• ​Cameron Best, Senior Director of BD at Brightcore Energy
  – Drives growth and partnerships for large-scale geothermal and clean-energy projects, bridging public and private sectors to deploy scalable ground-source heat pump systems that decarbonize buildings, lower operating costs, and deliver sustainable heating and cooling solutions across multifamily and institutional portfolios. LinkedIn

​10:50 – 11:05 AM - Celsius Energy Case Study

• ​​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. LinkedIn

​11:05 – 11:15 AM - Case Study: HLW & Higher Education

• ​Jonce Walker, Global Director of Sustainability and Wellness, Principal at HLW - Leads HLW’s BEYOND consultancy and coordinates integrated design to embed resilience, decarbonization, and occupant health across projects worldwide. With nearly 20 years in both public and private sectors, he drives carbon-neutral goals under the AIA 2030 Commitment, expands wellness strategies firm-wide, and maximizes client value through ecological repair and high-performance building solutions. LinkedIn

​11:15 – 11:30 AM - Case Study: Ainsworth

• ​Randy Topp, Senior Vice President at Ainsworth - Directs the PMO, Energy Services Group, and Service Management Office across Canada. A Schulich mini-MBA graduate, he specializes in mechanical and electrical contracting, energy performance contracting, and integrated design-build delivery. LinkedIn

​11:30 – 11:40 AM – Discussion on Thermal Energy Networks (TENS)

• ​Carter Strickland, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Director of Climate Action at The State University of New York - Senior sustainability leader with 30+ years across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. At SUNY, he drives systemwide climate strategy, decarbonization, and resilient infrastructure, partnering with campuses and communities to align environmental goals with operational and fiscal realities. Areas of focus include water and energy systems, natural climate solutions, and sustainable infrastructure. LinkedIn

​11:40 – 12:00 PM – Case Study: Pace Univ. 700‑ton heat‑pump retrofit — 60 % GHG cut & LL97 compliance

• ​Ryan Mcenany, Director, Energy & Resiliency, Principal at Pace University - Leads HLW’s BEYOND consultancy and coordinates integrated design to embed resilience, decarbonization, and occupant health across projects worldwide. With nearly 20 years in both public and private sectors, he drives carbon-neutral goals under the AIA 2030 Commitment, expands wellness strategies firm-wide, and maximizes client value through ecological repair and high-performance building solutions. LinkedIn

​​12:00 - 1:00 PM – Networking & Lunch

​Afternoon Sessions

​​1:00 - 1:15 PM – Harmony Commons at UTSC: An All-Electric Passive House Residence

• ​Louis Koehl, AIA, CPHD, Director of Sustainable Design at Handel Architects - An architect and Certified Passive House Designer, he leads firmwide strategies to reduce energy demand, advance decarbonization, and improve occupant health through resilient, circular, and high-performance design. Louis also builds internal education programs for architects and engineers and serves on the Board of New York Passive House. LinkedIn

​​1:15 - 1:30 PM - Higher Education Case Study

• ​To Be Announced

​​1:30 - 2:15 PM – Open Q&A Audience-driven discussion with speakers from across the day's sessions.

​​2:15 - 2:30 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

​​Why Attend?

​​✅ Gain insights from top industry experts on decarbonizing and making your higher education facilities more resilient.
✅ Learn best practices for energy efficiency and cost savings
✅ Explore real-world case studies and innovative strategies
✅ Network with professionals shaping the future of higher education decarbonization.

​​Register to reserve your spot

​​If you have any questions about the event or would like to request an invitation, please contact:
andrew.byrne@decarbsummits.com