Decarb Higher Ed NY

​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. We will learn about technologies from Mitrex, Brightcore and Trane that are changing the landscape of solutions for higher ed.

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​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.

• ​Learn about BIPV, Geothermal and HVAC solutions.

​Agenda & Speakers

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

​5:50 – 6:00 PM – Opening Remarks

• ​Matthew Normandeau, Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
  - Matt Normandeau is a Principal and building enclosure consultant at SGH, bringing deep experience and a forward-looking approach to enclosure design and rehabilitation. He has supported renovation, adaptive reuse, and new construction projects incorporating leading sustainability initiatives, including Passive House, net-zero strategies, and NYC Local Law 97 compliance. Matt collaborates closely with architects and often leads multidisciplinary teams on complex rehabilitation efforts, including replacement of building enclosure systems. LinkedIn

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

• ​Michael Syracuse, Partner, FXCollaborative
  - Michael Syracuse is a Partner at FXCollaborative. His work on programmatically driven performing arts, higher education, workplace, and commercial projects—both new construction and adaptive reuse—starts at a project’s inception and carries through construction and occupancy. Michael is driven by the unique culture of each client, combining craft, constructability, and environmental responsibility. Michael’s work has encompassed some of NYC’s premiere educational and cultural institutions, including Juilliard School, Columbia University, and New York University. LinkedIn

• ​Jena Rimkus, Senior Associate, FXCollaborative
  - Jena Rimkus, AIA, LEED GA, is a Senior Associate at FXCollaborative. She is an architect with experience across all phases of the architectural process from design through construction administration, specializing in large-scale projects with complex integrated systems. Focusing on projects that have wide influence—such as projects for educational institutions such as New York University and Columbia University, residential, and urban projects that impact diverse populations—Jena strives to a positive difference through architecture. LinkedIn

• ​Cheryl Saldanha, Senior Project Manager, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
  - Cheryl Saldanha leads SGH’s Building Science and Passive House practices, specializing in building enclosure design for new and existing projects. Her expertise spans rainscreen facades, curtain walls, roofing, and waterproofing systems. When needed, Cheryl uses advanced software for thermal, energy, and daylighting analyses. Cheryl serves on the NYC Commercial Energy Code Technical Advisory Committee, AIA NY Building Science Committee, and the NY Passive House Board of Directors. LinkedIn

​6:30 – 6:50 PM – Technology Showcase

• ​Cory Fry, Sales Director, Mitrex Solar
  - Cory Fry is the Sales Director at Mitrex, a leader in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Solar cladding systems. He partners with architects, developers, and contractors to turn building façades into clean energy-generating assets. Cory focuses on aligning sustainability goals with practical construction execution, helping drive decarbonization in the built environment by integrating solar technology seamlessly into architectural design. LinkedIn

​6:50 – 7:20 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. LinkedIn

• ​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. LinkedIn

• ​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. LinkedIn

​7:20 – 7:40 PM – Technology Showcase Brightcore

​7:40 - 8 PM Technology Showcase Trane

​7:55- 8 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.
  LinkedIn: LinkedIn