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US Green Building Council Celebrates Women in Green

Article from New Jersey Business & Industry Association Magazine

The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC NJ) hosted “Celebrating Women in Green” on Wednesday, June 19th. USGBC NJ is a State-wide organization of professionals, businesses, innovators and community leaders working to accomplish a bold vision: healthy, green, and energy-efficient buildings and communities.

The event, in collaboration with the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University, was the first Women in Green event held by USGBC NJ, but won’t be the last. “Celebrating Women in Green” featured ample networking and vegetarian cuisine for roughly 60 attendees: men and women across a range of “green” careers and a number of college students.

The Keynote Speaker was Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. NJBIA is the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization. Siekerka gave a warm and inspiring talk to the crowd, focusing on mentorship, opportunities for advancement, and work-life balance.

Wayne DeFeo, USGBC NJ Executive Director said, “This program highlighted the achievements of talented women across the spectrum of sustainability fields, and helped outline how they got where they are.”

Moderator Lauren Brust Moss (LEED AP O&M, Fitwel Ambassador, Program Director, New York City Sustainability Services, NORESCO, Board Chair, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) shared the story of how she took advantage of opportunities to break gender barriers and how she helps other women to do the same.

The talented panel was made up of women from a variety of fields and ranging in stages of their
careers:

  • Jayne Spector, LLA, LEED AP, Senior Landscape Architect, Langan Engineering
  • Casey Cullen-Woods, Living Future Accredited, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Project Director
  • Thornton Tomasetti, USGBC NJ Board Member
  • Gail Lalla, Client Manager, Resiliency Planning and Engineering, T&M Associates
  • Nathaly Agosto Filión, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Newark
  • Amy R. Tuininga, PhD, Director of Montclair State’s PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies (PSEG ISS)

Each gave their “3 minutes of brilliance” and answered questions from the audience in this intimate setting. See the headshots and bios of all the speakers.

The event was co-chaired by USGBC NJ Board Members Jessica Ford (NORESCO) and Monika Serrano-Riedlinger (Turner Construction).

“On behalf of the Board and Staff at USGBC New Jersey, we were thrilled to hold this terrific program, and we look forward to doing it again,” stated Faith Taylor, USGBC NJ Board Member and former Board Chair who hosted the event at the Feliciano School of Business, Montclair State University.

USGBC NJ’s “Celebrating Women in Green” had support from the following sponsors: Avison Young; Langan Engineering & Environmental Services; T&M Associates, Turner Construction Company; and student sponsor Thompson Exterior Services.

Visit The NJ Business & Industry Association:
New Jersey Business & Industry Association

Visit The Green Building Council – New Jersey:
Green Building Council – New Jersey

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