Meet the Experts: Introducing Our 2025 Abstract Review Committee!

For the 2025 Net Zero Conference, Verdical Group has carefully curated an Abstract Review Committee composed of 12 highly qualified experts in climate, net zero, ESG, equity, carbon, and resilience. These committee members will assess the submitted abstracts with an emphasis on identifying diverse, insightful, and educational content to shape the conference program. The committee brings together professionals from a variety of industries, each bringing unique perspectives to the selection process. Read on to explore their bios and learn more about the individuals driving this important work.

To begin, we have Celina Echezarreta, Project Manager at Sillman. Celina is a dedicated design professional with over 17 years of experience in high-performance architecture and sustainable design. She has played a significant role in the successful development of complex projects, ensuring design integrity and high performance throughout. Celina integrates Passive Design, Net Zero Energy (NZE) principles, embodied carbon reduction, mass timber solutions, and biophilic design into her work, always seeking opportunities to create more resilient and efficient built environments. At Sillman, she has driven the integration of sustainability initiatives across the firm and represents the company at sustainability-focused events and organizations, including the Net Zero Conference. She also advocates for the standardization of sustainable workflows using digital tools, helping teams collaborate more effectively.

Next, we have Dave Intner, Senior Advisor for Codes and Standards at Southern California Edison. Dave has 30 years of experience in energy code compliance and building decarbonization. He is a Licensed Architect, LEED AP, and Certified Energy Manager. Dave provides education and outreach to support building decarbonization and energy code compliance, including local delivery of the Energy Code Ace program. He has worked extensively in resource and training development, case study research, and reach code support for jurisdictions. Dave serves on several industry committees, including the AIA Climate Action Committee and the board of directors for the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC).

Erica Godun, Director of Sustainability at Ware Malcomb, brings over 30 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry. Erica develops and supports the firm’s sustainability-focused service offerings and acts as a resource for clients on applying green initiatives. She is active in several industry organizations, including AIA, NAIOP, and CREW NJ, where she serves on the Board of Directors. Erica is a LEED Accredited Professional, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and a registered architect in New York and New Jersey. She has worked on numerous sustainable projects and is dedicated to advancing wellness and sustainable design across the built environment.

Farrah Farzaneh serves as the Executive Director of Facilities, Planning, Sustainability & Construction at the San Bernardino Community College District. With over 15 years of expertise in program, project, and construction management, she focuses on integrating sustainability into her projects, particularly emphasizing Zero Net Energy (ZNE) and building electrification. Farrah is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM), LEED Accredited Professional (AP BD+C), and Design-Build Professional (DBIA). She holds a Master’s in Construction Management and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration.

Justin Di Palo, Associate Partner and National Sustainability Lead at Syska Hennessy Group, specializes in energy modeling and decarbonization consulting. As a Mechanical Engineer and Energy Analyst, Justin has worked across several market sectors, guiding clients through sustainable design strategies and energy optimization. He has worked on numerous projects that have achieved Net Zero Energy/Carbon and LEED Platinum certifications. Justin is deeply involved in organizations such as ASHRAE, USGBC, and the International Living Future Institute, promoting integrated, sustainable design in buildings.

Kanika Sharma, Principal and Director of Sustainability Innovation at Introba, has over 15 years of experience developing sustainable solutions in the built environment. She specializes in decarbonization, circularity, sustainable materials, and climate resilience. Kanika works with public and private sector stakeholders to create impactful sustainability strategies and ensure they result in measurable progress. She has led numerous ambitious sustainability initiatives and believes in holistic design thinking to optimize performance and impact across all phases of design, construction, and operations.

Leticia Ochoa, Principal at NAC Architecture, is a licensed architect with over 25 years of experience leading community-driven projects. Leticia specializes in creating sustainable and functional environments that meet the needs of diverse communities. Her projects include a $100M Net-Zero-Targeted high school expansion and the revitalization of a community art center. Leticia’s work emphasizes environmentally responsible design and community empowerment. She ensures that each project aligns with clients’ needs while making a lasting impact on the community.

Lou Niles, Sustainability Project Manager at Verdical Group, has over 16 years of experience in sustainable building practices. He has led sustainability management on hundreds of LEED building projects, spanning commercial, healthcare, higher education, and more. Lou has also worked with various sustainability certification systems, including the Living Building, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel, and others. Lou is passionate about the positive impacts of high-performance buildings and continues to drive sustainability in the built environment across numerous sectors.

Nicky Arthur, Energy Management & Sustainability Specialist at Lush Cosmetics, works within the Global Earthcare team to lead Lush’s sustainability efforts. Nicky focuses on energy management, emissions reduction, and electrification strategy design and implementation. She led Lush’s global review of renewable energy options and works on emissions tracking and reporting across North America. Nicky also focuses on developing green lease documentation for new locations to ensure alignment with Lush’s sustainability goals. She holds a Master’s in Pollution and Environmental Control and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and LEED Accredited Professional.

Pancho Brown, Senior Editor and Engagement Manager at Metropolis Magazine, brings his expertise in architecture and design to the committee and is an Associate AIA. Pancho serves on the Steering Committee for US Architects Declare and co-founded the multidisciplinary art and design collective, MICROPOLITAN. His work spans both editorial and community engagement, helping to promote sustainable building practices and raise awareness on critical issues in architecture and design.

Rhianne Menzies, Vice President, ESG at Ares, provides oversight for the development of sustainable building standards across Ares’ global real estate portfolio. Prior to joining Ares, Rhianne was the Director, ESG at Brookfield Properties, where she focused on ESG strategy development and decarbonization initiatives. Rhianne has extensive experience as a sustainability consultant, helping European real estate clients develop sustainability programs. She holds a B.S. in Geography from King’s College London.

Tannaz Tahmassebi, Sustainability Specialist at Gensler, focuses on achieving net-zero carbon buildings through passive design strategies and whole life carbon frameworks. Tannaz has cultivated expertise in environmental design, high-performance buildings, life cycle assessment, and energy analysis. At Gensler, she leads sustainability leadership initiatives, driving decarbonization across various project types, including aviation, life sciences, adaptive reuse, and education. Tannaz is currently leading multiple research projects and serves as a design resilience co-leader for Gensler’s Los Angeles office.

Our call for abstracts is now open for the 2025 Net Zero Conference! We invite you to submit your abstracts by April 18, 2025 for an opportunity to contribute to a transformative event. We encourage all interested speakers to submit their innovative ideas and solutions for a sustainable, net-zero future. Thank you for being a part of this important conversation and for helping us drive impactful change!

Due to the competitive nature of the submission process, we can only accept a limited number of abstracts. View our submission guidelines here to increase your chances of submitting a successful abstract.