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.
Summit 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, Design Principal 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 – 6:40 PM - Panel Discussion on Retrofitting NYC
Kenneth Drucker, Design Principal 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. LinkedInLaura 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. LinkedInAlex 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
Siobhan Watson, VP, Sustainability at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) - Leads authority-wide sustainability strategy to advance energy efficiency, renewable power, and green workforce development across New York City’s public housing portfolio. LinkedIn
Matt Ellis, CEO at Measurabl - Assists owners, operators, and investors to turn building performance data into actionable insights that improve asset value, reduce risk, and support decarbonization. A frequent industry voice, he champions open, interoperable data and outcome-focused sustainability across global portfolios. LinkedIn
Kasey Motley, Senior Sustainable Design Specialist at PANYNJ - Leads decarbonization and electrification programs across aviation, port, and transit facilities, applying sustainable design standards such as LEED and Envision on major capital projects. LinkedIn
William B. Xia, Director - Multifamily Residential Programs, Clean & Resilient Buildings at NYSERDA - Leads a $250 M+ portfolio of equitable energy-efficiency and decarbonization programs for New York’s multifamily housing. A seasoned technical and stakeholder-engagement lead, he partners with state and city agencies to drive clean-energy adoption, improve home comfort, and cut emissions, while managing a team of 15+ clean-energy professionals. LinkedIn
6:40 - 7:00 PM – Practical HVAC Solutions
Jim Metropoulos, CEO at Blue Box - Assists owners, operators, and investors to turn building performance data into actionable insights that improve asset value, reduce risk, and support decarbonization. A frequent industry voice, he champions open, interoperable data and outcome-focused sustainability across global portfolios. LinkedIn
7:00 - 7:10 PM - Climate Tech Innovation: Achieve Building Performance and Energy Saving with Air Sealing
Amit Gupta, CEO at Aeroseal - Dreamer/Entrepreneur driven to make the world a better place through sustainability and energy efficiency technologies. We dream that every house and building could be passive home or Net Zero building with Aeroseal and AeroBarrier technology at no cost penalty with big impact on future generations. LinkedIn
7:10 - 7:20 PM - Runwise
Michael Cook, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Runwise - Works with owners and operators to deploy technology that cuts energy costs, lowers carbon, and improves tenant comfort across large building portfolios. LinkedIn
7:20 - 8:00 PM – Interactive Roundtables (Assigned Seating)