Decarb NY Retrofitting
Retrofitting for a Sustainable Future – Innovations in Building Upgrades
🗓️ Date: July 16, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: New York, New York
(Venue details provided after registration)
🌟 Presented in partnership with: SOM, 5, ROCKWOOL, Trane, JB&B, Parity, Mitrex, and Lamarr.ai
Summit Overview
Join leaders in real estate, sustainability, design, and engineering for a full-day forum focused on cutting-edge retrofit solutions that are shaping the future of multifamily housing.
Through expert-led panels, real-world case studies, and strategic networking, this summit will explore practical and scalable approaches to decarbonizing buildings, boosting performance, and ensuring compliance with emerging local laws.
Summit Agenda & Speaker Lineup
8:30 - 8:50 AM - Registration & Networking Grab coffee, connect with peers, and prepare for a day of insight and collaboration.
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
Morning Sessions
9:00 - 9:40 AM – Best Practices for Retrofitting Multifamily Buildings
Explore strategies for enhancing energy performance, cutting emissions, and adding value to multifamily assets.
Ryan J.S. Baxter (moderator), Carbon Strategist at 5. - A lifelong New Yorker and innovator, specializing in building decarbonization and PropTech strategies. He leverages his extensive expertise as a Carbon Strategist and advisor to drive transformative, high-performance solutions across the built environment. 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. LinkedInLaura Rapaport, Founder + CEO at North Bridge - Is the founder and CEO of North Bridge, a company that provides tailored capital markets solutions through C-PACE financing to institutional borrowers in major markets nationwide. North Bridge’s solutions are designed to lower the cost of capital, optimize the entire capital stack and ensure that projects have the flexibility required for completion, while advancing the construction of resilient & sustainable real estate. LinkedIn
Layth Madi, Senior VP, Director of Development Management and Operations at Lendlease - Oversees conception and execution of major urban and residential real estate projects, driving multi-billion-dollar developments and leading high-performance teams to deliver landmark, sustainable communities. LinkedIn
Alessandra Chieff, Senior Manager, Climate Risk Solutions at RE Tech Advisors - Combines systems and mechanical engineering expertise to lead climate transition and physical risk programs for real estate clients, enhancing asset resilience and sustainability across public and private sector projects in North America and the UK. LinkedIn
9:40 - 10:10 AM – Urban Retrofit in Action: 55 Water Street
A deep dive into a landmark retrofit project in NYC’s financial district.
Scott Donachie (moderator), 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. LinkedInClayton Brancato, Associate at JB&B - Joined JB&B in 2015 and serves in dual roles as an Associate with both the HVAC Department and the Energy Modeling team, engaging his expertise in both design and energy modeling to bring a practical design approach to energy analysis. During his time with the firm, he has played an instrumental role in the design and management of numerous projects, including medical facilities, laboratories, transportation hubs and commercial offices. LinkedIn
Corey Letcher, Comprehensive Solutions Account Executive at Trane Technologies - With 10 years at Trane, he’s secured over $100 million in incentives, driving decarbonization and building optimization. By blending engineering insight with financial acumen, Corey turns infrastructure upgrades into compelling business cases that deliver real value and results. LinkedIn
10:10 - 10:40 AM – Coffee & Networking
10:40 - 11:20 AM – Navigating Local Laws: Local Law 97 Meets Local Law 11
A real-world case study on improving multifamily building efficiency and compliance.
John Skipper (moderator), Director, Energy Management at FirstService Energy - Advises a portfolio of over 600 NYC multifamily buildings on compliance, procurement, benchmarking, demand response, and efficiency to lower costs and carbon emissions. A former Fortune 500 utility attorney and Canadian energy consultant, he’s also led multi-million-dollar efficiency programs and served on several nonprofit boards. LinkedIn
James Hannah, Managing Director at Parity Inc.
– Specializing in HVAC optimization and energy efficiency solutions to reduce consumption in multifamily and hospitality buildings. LinkedInEd Rawlings, Principal at Rawlings Architects - A veteran New York City architect and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate with 28 years of experience, known for award-winning projects like Dance Theater Workshop/The Dance Building and The Roosevelt Island School. LinkedIn
Stefan Unger, Former President of the Board of Directors at 201 East 79th Street
11:20 - 11:40 AM – Powering Up with BIPV: Solar Façades in Action
Terri Oswald, Senior Architectural Representative at Mitrex - Bridges architecture and clean-energy innovation by guiding design teams in the adoption of building-integrated solar facades. A communications expert at heart, she excels at translating technical BIPV solutions into compelling, sustainable design opportunities. LinkedIn
11:40 - 12:00 PM – Smart Insulation for Tough Buildings An ideal solution for insulating historic masonry and lot-line challenged buildings, as it offers high thermal performance, moisture control, and fire resistance without altering the exterior or historic character, allowing for enhanced energy efficiency and durability while preserving architectural integrity.
Todd Kimmel, US Senior Manager of Sustainable Solutions at ROCKWOOL North America
– Expert in high-performance, low-energy building solutions, specializing in sustainable materials, technical sales, and business development in the building industry. LinkedIn
12:00 - 1:00 PM – Networking & Lunch
Afternoon Sessions
1:00 - 1:15 PM – Savoy Park Case Study: Hybrid Electrification in Action
Michael Gilbert, Director of Energy & Sustainability at Fairstead
– Leads strategic investments and pilots in energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and smart-building technologies across a $100 M affordable housing portfolio. A Cornell‐trained Professional Engineer and MBA, he brings deep expertise in sustainability, resource optimization, and cleantech strategy to both real estate operations and impact investing. LinkedIn
1:15 - 1:25 PM - Barbara Kleiman Men's Shelter Retrofitting Case Study
Winnie Moy, Senior Project Manager at ESKW/Architects
– Leads affordable and supportive housing, shelter, and educational projects for mission-driven clients across New York City. An AIA member and LEED AP BD+C, she integrates sustainability and equity into every phase of design, while guiding community-centered outreach and inclusive design practices. Winnie is currently a team lead on the adaptive reuse of the Barbara Kleiman Men’s Shelter in Brooklyn. LinkedIn
1:25 - 1:35 PM – AI-Driven Envelope Diagnostics: The Future of Building Insight
John E. Fernández, Co-Founder of Lamarr.AI
— Pioneers drone and AI-powered envelope diagnostics to uncover and quantify hidden energy losses, enabling recovery of 20–40% of building waste through scalable façade inspections, cloud-based energy modelling, and data-driven retrofit strategies backed by DOE-supported research.
1:35 - 2:10 PM – Open Q&A Audience-driven discussion with speakers from across the day's sessions.
2:10 – 2:50 PM | Coffee & Networking
2:50 - 3:00 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 residential retrofitting and sustainability
✅ Learn best practices for energy efficiency and cost savings
✅ Explore real-world case studies and innovative retrofit strategies
✅ Network with professionals shaping the future of residential sustainability
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