Colleen manages the outreach and delivery of Urban Green’s flagship programs, Crushing the Code and GPRO: Green Professional Building Skills Training. She previously worked at Green Amendments For The Generations, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and training community members and legislators to constitutionally protect their environmental rights. Colleen holds a B.A. in Communication and Culture and a minor in Environmental Studies from Fordham University.
Casey supports fundraising efforts at Urban Green including donor outreach and cultivation as well as coordination and execution of fundraising events. She previously worked for CUNY Building Performance Lab, an organization working to advance energy-efficient building practices through research, outreach, and training. Casey holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Hobart & William Smith Colleges and a Master’s in Urban and Sustainable Development from Baruch College.
Lauren assists the outreach and delivery of Urban Green’s flagship programs, Crushing the Code and GPRO: Green Professional Training. Prior to Urban Green Council she worked as Recreation Manager at Big Bass Lake Community Association, a housing association in the Pocono Mountains. Lauren is working towards her B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Globalism and a minor in Sustainable Business.
Aaron works with Urban Green’s research team to conduct data analysis and research on building sustainability. Previously, Aaron worked at an environmental non-profit, Ecology Action, doing research and community outreach around transportation policy. He has a double major in Environmental Studies and Spanish from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Casey directs Operations at Urban Green, including HR, finances, and general administration. Prior to Urban Green, Casey worked at Bike & Build and Habitat for Humanity, two nonprofits working to address the affordable housing crisis. Casey holds a B.A. in Film & Television Production from Emerson College and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University.
Becca supports Urban Green’s flagship education programs by developing curriculum to teach architects, engineers, construction workers and building operators the latest in green building practices. Prior to joining Urban Green, Becca worked at Partnerships for Parks training grassroots volunteers across NYC to advocate and care for their local parks and greenspaces. Becca holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver, a B.A. in Environmental Policy from Fordham University, and was a 2023 Fellow with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute.
Chris leads Urban Green’s policy initiatives, working with stakeholders and policymakers to advance energy efficiency and green building in New York City and State. He was Vice Chair of and managed the 80×50 Buildings Partnership, a collaboration of more than 40 leading stakeholders to shape an energy performance policy for NYC’s large buildings. Prior to Urban Green, Chris was an attorney at Shearman & Sterling LLP and worked on energy policy at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Natural Resources Defense Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, and Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University, as well as a Master’s in Environmental Management with a specialization in energy from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Ellen oversees the development of Urban Green’s Public Programs. She is also responsible for developing the curriculum for Urban Green’s signature programs, including GPRO and Crushing the Code. Ellen has 28 years of experience as an architect and volunteered for Urban Green for several years before joining the staff, where she served as the first Residential Green Building Advocate for Urban Green Council, working to increase green building and LEED for Homes certification in the New York residential marketplace, and as a committee chair of the Green Codes Task Force. Ellen is a co-founder of Solarize Brooklyn and Sustainable Kensington Windsor Terrace.
Danielle is responsible for advocacy, analysis and collaboration on Urban Green’s policy initiatives in New York City and State. She previously worked at the Center for Climate Systems Research at Columbia University’s Earth Institute researching and communicating local climate risk information for stakeholders in global cities and ecosystems, and served as project manager for the Third New York City Panel on Climate Change Report. Danielle also worked for nonprofits in Buffalo on environmental education and advocacy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo.
Sheena leads the communications processes at Urban Green, overseeing messaging, graphic design, online communications and public relations. She comes to Urban Green with extensive environmental and nonprofit experience, having previously worked at Wildlife Alliance, Clean Air Force of Central Texas and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Sheena holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego.
John assists the education department at Urban Green, maintaining the online education portal and designing engaging curriculum and marketing materials. Prior to Urban Green, he did freelance work, researching campus culture and creating engaging print & digital campaigns for the Department of Student Wellness to educate college students on how they can promote healthy masculinity and prevent sexual violence. John holds a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from St. John’s University.
Chitra assists with operations at Urban Green and helps with HR, finance, and IT initiatives as well as with the intern program and general administration. Prior to Urban Green, she worked in program management and curation in film and the arts. She holds a Master’s in Film Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Environmental Challenges from the University of Edinburgh.
Adam is responsible for conducting data analysis and research into sustainability topics. Prior to Urban Green, Adam worked at a non-profit healthcare company that was dedicated to using the Affordable Care Act to expand access to services and lower the cost of healthcare in New Mexico. Adam hold a B.S in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Oregon and a M.A in Economics from the New School for Social Research.
Daiva is responsible for Urban Green’s public programming and coordinating the Emerging Professionals and Monthly Programs Committees. Previously, she worked at Arizona State University on microelectronics public-private partnerships, research and development funding, and workforce development. Daiva holds a B.S. in Political Science, a B.A. in History, and a Master of Public Policy from Arizona State University.
Jada assists with the communications processes at Urban Green. She comes to Urban Green with experience in journalism, communications, and social work. Previously, she interned at VOCAL-NY, a nonprofit organization that builds power in communities affected by HIV/AIDS, homelessness, mass incarceration, and addiction. Jada also served as Editor-in-Chief for Hunter College’s student-run news site The Envoy. She holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies from Hunter College.
Advisors
Janet Joseph
Senior Advisor, Policy
Laurie Kerr
Senior Advisor, Policy, FAIA, LEED AP
Richard Leigh
Senior Advisor, PhD, PE, LEED AP