Decarb Higher Ed NYC

​Presented in partnership with FXCollaborative, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Pratt Institute, Wagner College, SUNY, NYSERDA, ConEd and other leading higher education institutions.

​This summit will explore the deep energy retrofit of Rubin Hall at NYU, where a historic 1920s residence hall was transformed into a high-performance, low-carbon building while preserving its architectural character.

​The project replaced the original fossil-fuel systems with all-electric HVAC and domestic hot water, aligning with NYU’s Climate Action Plan and Local Law 97 compliance. Incentives from NYSERDA and Con Edison helped offset a significant portion of the retrofit costs, demonstrating a scalable pathway for higher-ed decarbonization.

​Summit Focus

​We’ll dive into:

• ​Historic building decarbonization – Upgrading pre-war buildings to low-carbon standards while preserving historic character.

• ​Integrated systems – Coordinating envelope, HVAC, and energy systems for maximum efficiency, comfort, and performance.

• ​Electrification – Replacing fossil-fuel equipment with all-electric solutions such as TENS, heat pumps and energy-recovery systems.

​Agenda & Speakers

​5:00 – 5:50 PM – Registration & Networking

​5:50 – 6:00 PM – Opening Remarks

• ​Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

​6:00 – 6:30 PM – Retrofitting NYU Rubin Hall

• ​Michael Syracuse, Partner, FXCollaborative
  - Leads the firm’s cultural and educational studio with nearly 20 years of experience in performing arts, higher-ed, workplace, and adaptive-reuse projects.
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• ​Jena Rimkus, Architect, FXCollaborative
  - Architect with seven years of experience contributing to cultural, educational, and commercial projects.
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• ​Cheryl Saldanha, Senior Project Manager, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
  - Brings 16 years of experience in building technology and façade systems, with a strong focus on diagnostics, performance, and resilient design.
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​6:30 – 6:45 PM – Technology Showcase

​6:45 – 7:15 PM – Decarbonizing Campuses

• ​Carter Strickland, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Director of Climate Action, SUNY
  - Sustainability leader with 30+ years in climate strategy, environmental policy, and green infrastructure across multiple sectors.
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• ​Tony Gelber, Director of Administrative Sustainability, 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, advancing Pratt’s “campus as a living learning lab.”
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• ​Daniel Switzer, Director of Facilities, Wagner College
  - Oversees campus facilities and operations, drawing on nearly two decades of experience in maintenance, infrastructure management, and campus systems.
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​7:15 – 7:30 PM – Technology Showcase

​7:30 – 7:40 PM – Closing Remarks

• ​Scott Donachie, CEO, Decarb Summits
  Connects decision-makers across real estate, finance, and technology to drive sustainable impact, leading over 170+ organizations in transforming the built environment.
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