Maria is a sustainability professional who serves the rocky mountain region. She is passionate about creating diverse resilient communities that fit the needs of both the landscape and its inhabitants. She has a B.S in Environmental Sustainability and a B.A in Business Administration. She is a LEED Green Associate and a Post landfill Action Network certified Zero Waste Lead.

Maria has worked with the global leader in waste diversion, Terracycle, as a Zero Waste Consultant and with the second largest manufacturing company in America, Goodman, as a Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Lead for their multifamily and student housing division. She is the Co-Founder of a non-profit, Equitable Solar Solutions, that distributed solar panel donations to schools and families while educating students on the trade of solar installation.

Currently, she works for a sustainability consulting and energy engineering firm. She helps commercial and multifamily developers and architects reduce their energy consumption through energy modeling, commissioning, on-site renewable installations, design review, and many other services centered around creating healthy, low polluting buildings.

In her free time, she crafts pottery and enjoys cruising in her Biofueled 1969 Chevelle.

I am a professional planner curious about the future of the places where we live, collaborate, learn, laugh, love and heal. I have a results-oriented focus with over two decades of rewarding collaborative experiences. I enjoy contributing to and learning from peers while exploring innovative ways to create meaningful settings that inspire individual growth, collective identity, inclusion and equity, supported by the sustainable integration of technology. In my professional practice I have combined engagements in the public and private sectors in Canada, the United States and Mexico. I obtained a B.A. in architecture from the Monterrey Institute of Technology (Mexico), holds two Master´s degrees in planning (University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania), and earned my doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I am a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the Canadian Institute of Planners, a registered planner with the Alberta Professional Planners Institute and an EcoDistricts Accredited Professional.

Chris Allen is the Managing Broker and Owner of Allen & Associates Properties and has an extensive background in real estate and construction.​

A second generation realtor and builder, Chris grew up around both building and real estate.  Helping his mother prepare listings and market property, Chris got first hand real estate experience before developing a building company in the early 2000’s and later locating in Denver.​

After years at RE/MAX in Denver as a Broker/Owner, Chris decided to pursue developing a world class brokerage of his own and Allen & Associates Properties was created in late 2016.  Located in RiNo, just a block off the 38th/Blake A-Line stop, Chris continues to also pursue development projects both personally and for clients.

As a Transit Alliance graduate, Chris appreciates and understands the importance of a multi-modal city and continues to support and participate where he can. He purposely located the AAP office near transit and considers it in every transaction.

Chris has developed a wide spectrum view of Denver real estate and the growth it is experiencing.  With his combined knowledge of building, investing and the Denver metro areas, Chris delivers a high level of service to his clients whether it’s a first home, a fix and flip, a new construction project to a multi million dollar tract development.

Chris supports and visions sustainability incorporated into more projects and communities in Denver and promotes smart design into the future.

Tap into his knowledge today and experience  the difference he brings to the project and the difference it can make to your bottom line.

Eliot Allen, AICP, LEED AP-ND, EcoDistricts AP, is an urban planner who has devoted his career to creating vibrant and prosperous places. He founded Criterion Planners of Portland Oregon in 1980 to focus on the nexus of urban planning and sustainability, and has since become a nationally-recognized leader in helping designers and citizens create plans that are measurably more livable and regenerative.

Eliot is a specialist in sustainability rating and assessment systems at Criterion, where he provides technical support and certification verification for EcoDistricts, certification reviews for the USGBC LEED-ND program, and technical support for the Sustainable SITES and STAR Community rating systems. He is also the LEED-ND expert at LEEDuser, a plan reviewer for the APA Sustaining Places program, and an education provider for USGBC, EcoDistricts, Planetizen, and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Eliot is a co-recipient of EPA’s Climate Protection Award for the Chula Vista California Climate Protection Plan, the Congress for the New Urbanism Charter Award for the Smart Code, and the APA Sustainable Communities Award for the Austin Texas Comprehensive Plan. He is a former chair of Portland’s Energy Commission, and currently serves on the Urban Planning Task Group of the American Society for Testing & Materials, and the national awards jury of the APA Sustainable Communities Division.

Walid Azar is Vice President of PMCS Group, Inc. and has more than 27 years of experience in managing high profile projects in the Los Angeles area.  He was instrumental in delivering one of the first LEED Platinum rated facility in the world, and has delivered iconic and sustainable public works projects such as the Echo Park Lake, and Machado Lake/Harbor Regional Park.

PMCS Group was formed in 2005 and has grown to 40 employees with experience in project types ranging from public works, k-12 and higher education, transportation, and specialized building projects.  PMCS employs a wide range of employees from licensed architects and engineers, construction managers, schedulers and estimators, safety officers, inspectors, and site office engineers.

Mr. Azar holds a MS Degree in Structural Engineering and a MBA; he is a registered PE (Civil) and is certified as a LEED_AP and ENV SP.

Director of Sustainable Infrastructure at METCO Engineering. Serve as an ambassador to the EarthX non-profit as well as a member of the Texas Energy Managers Association of Texas.

As Membership + Database Specialist, Matt works with EcoDistricts’ members and sponsors to ensure mutual benefits and promote new partnerships. He also manages the organization’s database and relationship histories. Matt came to Portland in 2016 from Charlottesville, Virginia where he developed a deep understanding and passion for the sustainable food movement and equitable access to healthy food. After time spent working on farms, at farmers markets and at local food-oriented businesses, Matt worked for Local Food Hub, a nonprofit tasked with bridging the gap between local food producers, buyers and customers. This work reignited his passion for urban design as he learned that many of the barriers to healthy and local food could be overcome with well-designed infrastructure and social programs. He now brings that passion and expertise to EcoDistricts to build the organizations network of partners and expand the reach of its programs. Matt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from The University of Virginia.

David is passionate about creating cohesive communities and great places through evidence-based collaboration. David is an inclusive collaborator, possesses an encylopeadic mind, and is a strategist and plan maker. David is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, occasional lecturer at the University of South Australia, and Presiding Member of the City of Holdfast Bay Council Assessment Panel.

Kristin Baja (‘Baja’) is USDN’s Program Director for Climate Resilience & Equity and is responsible for helping cities identify strategic ways to advance climate resilience planning and implementation and building their capacity to take proactive action. Baja focuses her time on supporting members and partners in working at the nexus of resilience, mitigation and equity while also helping center equity in their climate and sustainability work. She helps facilitate deeper relationships between local governments and stakeholders while helping to identify and shift focus to more collaborative and transformational action. Prior to USDN, Baja served as the Climate and Resilience Planner with the City of Baltimore's Office of Sustainability where she led the city's climate and equity work. She holds a Masters of Urban Planning and a Masters of Science from the University of Michigan. She is also an Aspen Global Change Institute Fellow, is an EPIC-N board member, and serves on several local and international advisory committees. In 2016, she was recognized by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change for her work on climate and equity.

Megan Barnes is Program Manager for the Landscape Architecture Foundation in Washington, DC. She manages LAF's research programs including Case Study Investigation (CSI) program and the Landscape Performance Series . She has a diverse background in landscape architecture, international development, and nonprofit work. Before joining LAF, she was a two-time Peace Corps volunteer, serving in Guatemala and Panama in health and community gardening. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Coastal Solutions Fellowship program in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and volunteers with the Neighborhood Design Center and the United States Botanic Garden. Megan has a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Rob is a Senior Advisor at Partnership for Southern Equity and the founder CEO of EcoDistricts, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging cities, developers and community-based organizations to embrace climate action, resiliency, and equity in all phases of urban regeneration and community development – from visioning through planning, design, and development. In 2017, Rob published the EcoDistricts Protocol, a groundbreaking implementation framework to shape new models of intersectional and comprehensive urban and community development. Over the past decade Rob and EcoDistricts convened and trained over 5,000 people representing over 1,000 organizations and advised 106 project teams from 334 cities and 16 countries. Today the EcoDistricts community includes over 850 EcoDistricts Accredited Professionals (AP) and 20 communities pursuing EcoDistricts Certification in the US and abroad.

Antonnio is a versatile, personable urban planning professional with over 5 years of comprehensive experience developing exceptional relationships with clients, peers, and public stakeholders to provide sustainable planning and operation solutions. Superb project leadership abilities and program management skills coupled with strong expertise in the urban planning and community development sector. Proven problem solving and public speaking skills and the ability to adapt to evolving industry trends. A dedicated professional with the drive and requisite skills to excel in a fast pace management role enhancing a company's ability to achieve desirable results.

Rob is an Engineer in the Energy and Sustainability Team in Arup’s San Francisco office. With an interdisciplinary background in energy policy, renewable energy modeling, urban planning, environmental policy, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, sustainable design and construction, and environmental engineering, Rob has a breadth of experience providing energy, sustainability, and policy solutions and guidance for commercial, residential, institutional, municipal, and industrial clients. His skills include energy masterplanning, benchmarking analysis, energy policy analysis and decision support, district energy design and analysis, building energy simulation, integrated infrastructure planning and evaluation, data visualization, planning for resilience, and climate adaptation planning.

Francesc is an independent expert and evaluator on Ecobuildings and Sustainable Energy Systems to the European Commission.

A registered professional engineer wit Industrial Engineers of Catalonia – Spain.

Founder of the Energy & Land Group at Institute for Catalan Studies.

Francesc Bonvehí

EcoDistricts Member & Accredited Professional.

Rebecca Book believes in using the power of good design to solve ecological and social problems. As an urban designer at Mithun, she applies her design expertise and research and analytical skills to projects promoting coastal resiliency and equitable access to the city. Previous related experience includes working on the 'BIG U' project, redesigning Manhattan's coastline to protect the city against sea level rise and future storms, while at one architecture, working as an associate at Abraxas Architecture, Inc. and as Project Administrator at Brookwood Group.
While completing her Master of Architecture and MS Urban Planning at Columbia University GSAPP, she assisted in the production of a number of international exhibits, including assisting in the Istanbul Design Biennial as a member of the curatorial team, fabricating the a video installation for the Bjork retrospective at New York City MoMA with The Living, and managing the fabrication and installation of GSAPP exhibits shown at the Chicago Architecture Biennial and the Graham foundation.
In her free time, she enjoys bike touring, track cycling, cyclocross, and occasionally even road cycling. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she now resides in Seattle.

April is the founder, sustainable design strategist and principal consultant of Green Bridge, with her primary strengths being in project management, facilitation, public speaking, and systems thinking. April has 10 years of experience helping commercial building owners and design teams navigate the built environment sustainability process with a focus on all aspects of sustainable design and construction, building operations, and third party certification planning and documentation. After she and her family moved to Asheville, NC, she started her own business to continue working with her passion in integrative design and high performance buildings. April has assisted clients and development projects through third party certification for over 30 projects with a wide range of building types. April is a skilled facilitator and works with the team early in design to develop a project vision. As the keeper of the vision, April holds the project team accountable to the shared vision and carries the momentum and enthusiasm forward through implementation and occupancy for long-term projects.

Originally from Tianjin China, I lived in Bangalore India for 2 years before moving to Raleigh North Carolina. By living in so many vastly different locations all around the world, I have come to recognize and appreciate the role of nature on a person's well-being. Our innate biology depends on nature to help us refresh and refocus, and thus biophilia plays an important role in aiding one's experience within a space (especially when that experience is a prolonged one). By exploring the integration of biophilia with other fields such as lighting design, sustainable design, computational design, material research, and educational research, I strive to enhance the built environment in a meaningful way that puts the human experience (noticeable and unnoticeable) at the forefront of my focus.

VP & Director, infUSe™ CDFI Business Development – U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation

Bill Carson leads USBCDC’s infUSe™ CDFI Business Development effort, where he focuses on investments and partnerships with Community Development Financing Institutions, a diverse segment of mission-driven organizations that provide capital to create and retain jobs, finance commercial and residential real estate, and improve quality of life in disinvested communities.

In his prior role, he was corporate sustainability leader of the McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS) Companies and President of Sunwheel Energy, an MBS Company providing renewable energy and sustainability services. In these roles, he led MBS to become one of the top developers and managers of green, economically integrated, urban communities and helped the company to win numerous awards for excellence in sustainable urban redevelopment and corporate practices. He began his career in engineering and product management with the multi-national industrial and environmental company Air Products.

Bill is a USGBC LEED-Accredited Professional and Cornell Engineering grad and holds master’s degrees in Engineering & Policy and Engineering Management from Washington University. He is an active civic participant in the City of St. Louis and is passionate about using integrated sustainability strategies to reduce environmental impact, improve resident well-being and advance economic outcomes in distressed, urban communities.

Amplifying the voices and lived experience solutions of people from poor and low-income communities as pertains to green building and environmental justice.

I am a Professional Architect and Urban Development specialist with an impassioned pursuit to create Places for People.
To me, there is nothing more thrilling and important as creating healthy, effective, thriving cities for and with the people who activate them and I have consciously focused my work on empowering citizens to engage and interact with their urban environments to create equitable, coproduced spatial environments. I am dedicated to using my vision to advocate for social and spatial justice.
Through my work in both the private and public sector, I have developed a unique set of skills combining my human-centred design acumen with project management and local government and policy administration.

Naomi has a diverse background in urban sustainability and development in both the non-profit and private sectors. She is a skilled manager and facilitator and brings over 15 years of experience in delivering projects and programs to public, private and community clients. Naomi has a long history with all EcoDistricts programs, as EcoDistricts Program Director for the Portland Sustainability Institute and Vice President of Programs for EcoDistricts. Her professional experience includes roles at ZGF Architects, PECI/CLEAResult, and Konstrukt. She studied architecture, environmental studies and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania and Real Estate at Portland State University. Naomi is a native Portlander and lives in a net zero energy home in which she makes jewelry, bakes cakes, and speaks to her toddler in Italian.

As a leader in the High Performance Design team with DLR Group I work on innovative design solutions, integrating engineering and architectural solutions into sustainable designs. I challenge teams to consider buildings holistically, analyze new approaches, and advocate for sustainability in all projects, using analysis as a creative design tool, and providing data to assist decision making.
With 16 years experience as a building performance specialist and mechanical engineer, I am experienced in the detailed analysis required to optimize building performance and the collaboration required to convey technical sustainable strategies. We strive for better performance, resilience, and resource stewardship, while also optimizing the user experience. “Saving the world, one building at a time”

LEED BD+C AP, BEMP, LFA, EcoDistricts AP, RESET AP

I spend my time working on impactful projects. Currently, I work on park planning initiatives and special projects as it relates to the Miami-Dade County Open Space Master Plan. Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces department is home to over 270 parks and it is the third largest parks system in the United States of America.

Previously, I worked in the Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan C. Zapata where I was the de facto deputy chief of staff and led in the implementation of various projects. Prior to that I worked in the non-profit sector with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Volunteer Department where we ensured the recruitment and quality of volunteers needed to support Fairchild programs. Over 750 volunteers supported educational programming, events, and enhanced experiences for visitors and gave over 80,000 hours to the Garden.

I have a passion for green spaces, the arts, and improving the built environment. When I’m not on the job, I love bicycling, making pottery, baking my way through every dessert recipe known to man, and collaborating on community improvement projects.

Samantha is a dynamic team player with a strong interest in sustainability, equity, planning and placemaking, and resilient and livable communities. She is a proud UCLA Bruin and a fierce advocate for environmental justice. She successfully fosters partnerships to advance holistic sustainability initiatives.

Civil/Structural EIT working on Transmission and Distribution. Interested in environmental justice, community activism, hiking, backpacking, and sustainable living.

Mindy Craig offers over 25 years of experience in policy and strategic planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement services to organizations throughout California and the country with a focus on energy efficiency, zero net energy, and sustainability. Mindy was the lead author on California’s New Residential Zero Net Energy Action Plan for the CPUC and Existing Buildings Energy Efficiency Action Plan for the CEC. She is currently working on developing the New Commercial Buildings ZNE Action Plan and is leading the implementation of the ZNE Residential Plan. In addition, Mindy is the lead facilitator for the Statewide Residential Energy Efficiency Home Upgrade Working Group and a consultant on various local and regional government and utility efforts related to energy efficiency programs and policies. Citi2Zero_BPP

Caleb Crow is an educator, scientist, father, engineer, and conservationist specializing in climate science communication. Caleb earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, a Master of Public Administration, LEED AP, and EcoDistricts AP. His career focus has been increasing sustainability and resilience in the built environment by managing energy and sustainability at Texas Tech University and Austin Community College District, reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the Clinton Climate Initiative and the Department of Energy, protecting birds and their habitats with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and researching climate with UN Champions of the Earth Laureate Dr. Katharine Hayhoe.

Justin has been an EcoDistricts Accredited Professional (AP) since 2017 and currently serves as the Director of Community Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh in the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs. He is responsible for leading University efforts and interactions with key Oakland neighborhood constituencies, monitoring and addressing community concerns in neighborhoods adjacent to campus and strengthening communications vehicles for community-facing work.

Justin is a 2020 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Education program in Higher Education Management, where his scholarly work focused on the professional competencies of higher education place-based community engagement professionals. Justin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Clarion University and a Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock University.

As a passionate community engagement professional in the field, he is credentialed in Campus Compact’s Community Engagement Fundamentals as well as Community Partnerships. In his home space of Carnegie, PA, Justin serves as the Secretary for the Carnegie Community Development Corporation.

A vice president and leader of WSP's in-house high-performance group, Built Ecology, Alan is an engineer by training, a consultant and project manager by profession, and an urban ecologist at heart.

He avidly works to deliver sustainable design and advisory services in the building, precinct and infrastructure space. Alan has an in-depth understanding of the drivers for the integrative design of urban spaces and communities: creative expression, cultural inclusion, functional ecology and sustainable infrastructure.

He effectively manages the holistic delivery of highly complex urban system strategies and solutions; creating real, sustainable and viable outcomes for communities and their citizens.

At his fingertips is a global enterprise; an organization with expertise across all facets of alternative infrastructure delivery, community engagement and economic empowerment. He brings the capability and competency to weave these elements into a citizen response.

Multifaceted real estate development professional with practical knowledge in due diligence and project feasibility analysis, entitlement processing, code analysis, project advocacy and public speaking, client representation, permit procurement, competitive bid facilitation, contract management, construction coordination, sustainable design implementation, LEED® stewardship, CalGreen compliance, building systems optimization and commissioning, and team building.

Designations: LEED AP BD+C, LEED Homes Rater, Fitwel Ambassador, GreenPoint Advisor, EcoDistricts AP

Specializations: Commercial Retail, Car Dealerships, Multi-family Residential, Green Building Stewardship

Prior to launching Sustainable Strategies, Nicole practiced insurance and construction law in the Seattle area for more than ten years. Nicole regularly presents on her holistic and proactive approach to risk management and the issues associated with the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings. Her work focuses on creating collaborative spaces and uniting diverse groups to mitigate climate change through the built environment. Nicole’s work also extends to broader sustainability principles, including the intersection of the built environment with human health and wellness.
Nicole spent five years as an Affiliate Instructor at the University of Washington, Department of Real Estate Studies, where she taught the course she developed, Risk and Reward in Sustainable Development. She also developed and taught the course Policy and Planning, at Boston Architectural College. Among other published work, Nicole authored a chapter of the award-winning book Health and Well-Being for Interior Architecture (IDEC 2018 Book Award), published by Routledge.

Reva has a passion for advocacy of human health and wellness through design.

Tina Dudley was raised in Section 8 housing outside of Boston and has since dedicated her life to extend to others the opportunities that she benefitted from. Tina was the first in her family to go to college, graduating with honors and Phi Beta Kappa in 2010. After graduation, Tina served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, establishing a new financial literacy program in Baltimore City. She then spent 3 years in fundraising, marketing and event-planning for The Family Tree, a child-abuse prevention organization. While in Baltimore City, Tina started a young professional’s neighborhood organization called the Mount Vernon Urbanites, which grew to 400+ members within it’s first year. A member of Tina’s neighborhood association recruited her to join Enterprise Community Partners in Washington, D.C. in 2014. With no prior housing experience but with the benefit of lived experience and a passion for social enterprise, Tina joined Enterprise Advisors – a team of national housing experts that provide public sector consulting on affordable housing, resiliency and sustainability, equitable neighborhood development, inclusive economic development and related topics. This Spring Tina developed ‘Everett for Everyone,’ a five year affordable housing plan for Everett, MA. In September 2018, Tina was promoted to Program Officer within the Innovation, Incubation and Integration business line. Deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on our planet and human communities, Tina is excited to join the EcoDistricts community of professionals. She hopes to make an impact by encouraging all of her clients to participate in the program, and advise cities on the EcoDistricts Protocols.

Joe Duffy is Executive Director at St. Clair Superior Development Corp., a nonprofit community development agency, serving a uniquely diverse community along the Lake Erie shoreline between Cleveland, Ohio's largest 2 employment centers. SCSDC exists to deliver results for, and on behalf of, neighborhood residents, businesses and partners - acting as a central connection point between Cleveland's most diverse lakefront neighborhood, and the larger world. As Executive Director, Joe oversees day-to-day operations, engages key stakeholders, and guides organizational activity as it relates to a forthcoming Strategic Plan.

Native to Savannah, Georgia, he has a Masters in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University, a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University and obtained an [IN]City Program Certificate in Urban Planning from University of California, Berkeley. Joe is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a National Development Council certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Julie has over fifteen years of experience in the sustainable design field
and is familiar with ENERGY STAR, Green Communities, Green Star, Envision,
and many of the LEED rating systems, including LEED for Neighborhood
Development. Several of her projects are currently pursuing a LEED Platinum
rating, the highest achievable rating. Her project experience includes
leading charrettes, providing sustainable design strategies, reviewing
drawings/specifications, writing green marketing pieces, product submittal
review, documentation, and coordinating the design team throughout the
certification process. Julie has experience in compliance with federal, state
and local sustainability mandates and proficiency in writing sustainability
guidelines and policy. Julie is involved in a variety of project types
including multi-family housing, office buildings, municipal, and educational
facilities. She is a LEED AP with BD+C specialty, and while her background is
architectural, her experience goes beyond the typical design and construction
projects to include services such as city planning, design guidelines,
educational materials, case studies, facility staff training and coordination
of sustainable facility management programs.

A self-starter, Julie co-founded the Sustainable Design Committee at OZ
Architecture. As Director of Sustainability, she led the Sustainable Design
Committee and internal Sustainability Department. Julie provides green
educational programs for staff, project support and tools, authors green
programs/ policies for the office and provides research/outreach to clients
and the community.

Julie is a strong supporter of local sustainability organizations and a
leader in the industry. She regularly serves on local ULI Healthly Places
Technical Assistance Panels which provide free planning assistance to local
cities and organizations. She is a current Board Member for USGBC Colorado. Past roles
with the USGBC have included the Regional Task Force for proposing new
regional LEED credits and the Chapter Events Committee. Julie was on the
planning committee for Greenbuild 2006 in Denver, heading up the Local Focus
Committee and the Greening Colorado Challenge. She is also a co-author of
several chapters of the Sustainable Design Resource Guide with AIA Denver
COTE. She has authored articles for local publications, led project tours and
been a speaker for regional conferences.