​🗓️ Date: October 8th, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 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 - 9:50 AM – Best Practices for Decarbonizing Campuses

• ​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. 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

• ​ 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

​9:50 - 10:10 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

​10:10 – 10:40 AM - Coffee Break & Networking

​10:40 – 11:00 AM – Love Decarb but Hate the Costs

• ​Tony Gelber, Director of Administrative Sustainability at Pratt Institute - Leads campus-wide decarbonization and resilience efforts, spanning energy efficiency and electrification, stormwater and green infrastructure, EV charging, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement, while advancing Pratt’s “campus as a living learning lab” in partnership with facilities, faculty, and students. LinkedIn

• ​Francisco Arias, Director of Energy & Commissioning Services at Legacy Engineers - He heads energy studies, commissioning, and building performance optimization across multifamily, commercial, education, campus, and lab projects in NYC and the Northeast, helping clients improve operations and cut greenhouse gas emissions. LinkedIn

​11:00 – 11:20 AM - St John’s 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

​11:20 – 11:40 AM – From Grid Relief to Campus Gain: Pace University’s Demand Response Partnership with Voltus

• ​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. LinkedIn

• ​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

• ​Alex Schneider, Regional Sales Manager at Voltus
  – Enables asset owners to monetize grid flexibility through Voltus’s demand-response and distributed energy resource programs in the NYISO and ISO-NE markets. LinkedIn

​11:40 AM – 12:00 PM

​Advanced Decarbonization in Higher Education

• ​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. LinkedIn

• ​Artorius M. Reyes, Regional Market Strategy Leader at Trane - He shapes long-term go-to-market strategy, spanning product and services positioning, policy and regulatory analysis, and executive relationships—and directs a team of business development executives and external advisors. Reyes also serves as a regional brand ambassador and thought partner for customers navigating HVAC&R and energy policy trends. LinkedIn

​12:00 - 12:30 PM – Networking & Lunch

​Afternoon Sessions

​12:30 – 1:00 PM - Discussion on Thermal Energy Networks (TENS)

• ​Eric Bosworth (moderator), Principal Consultant at Thermal Energy Insights - Driving pilots in utility-scale geothermal networks, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas to accelerate New England’s clean energy transition. A Carnegie Mellon alum and IFC geothermal specialist, he crafts regulatory strategies and forges stakeholder partnerships to scale transformative decarbonization solutions. LinkedIn

• ​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

• ​Greg Koumoullos, Department Manager at Con Edison
  – Expert in implementing TENs and integrating clean energy into NYC’s infrastructure. LinkedIn

​​1:00 – 1:15 PM - 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

​1:15 -1:30 PM - Best practices to decarbonize higher education

• ​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

​1:30 – 1:45 PM - Fireside Chat: Best Practices to Decarbonize Higher Education

• ​​​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. LinkedIn

• ​Michael Cook, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Runwise - Leads go-to-market strategy and partnerships for the smart building controls platform. He helps owners and operators cut energy costs and carbon across thousands of buildings while improving tenant comfort and operational efficiency. LinkedIn

​ 1:45 – 2:00 PM - Open Q&A for All Presenters

​2:00 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 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:
[email protected]