Elevate’s Building Equity Summit: Climate Action Resources for Everyone
Elevate’s Building Equity Summit has concluded. Thank you for joining us at the event! See event resources below.
Engaging Electrification: Community-based Partnerships in Building Electrification Implementation
Understanding High Performance Buildings
How to Become a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Corporate Partnerships to Advance Climate Equity
Keynote Speaker
Donna Givens Davidson has over 35 years’ nonprofit leadership experience in areas of youth and family development, community economic development, community partnerships, and community education. Over the years, she has developed and implemented demonstration programs and worked in partnership with a number of organizations with the consistent goal of increasing opportunity, building capacity, and fostering growth.
Now serving as President and CEO of Eastside Community Network as well as Lecturer at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, Ms. Givens Davidson formerly served as President of the Youth Development Commission, CEO of Visions Education Development Consortium, LLC, Executive Director of Vanguard CDC, Vice President Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and in leadership positions at several other nonprofit organizations. She serves as Executive Committee member of Trinity Health Detroit and Detroit Residents First Fund; Board Member of Michigan College Access Network, the Dignity Restoration Project, Urban Research Centers; member of the Bridge Detroit Magazine Advisory Council and member of the Capuchin’s Ministry Council. Ms. Givens Davidson co-hosts a weekly podcast, Authentically Detroit with Orlando Bailey.
Breakout Session I
Click the workshop title below to view the description!
Let the Sunshine In: Solar Expansion in the Midwest
How is this time of climate investment impacting solar advancement in the Midwest? Elevate’s Policy directors in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan will lead an educational conversation on the hot topics and exciting progress toward equitable solar expansion in the states we cover.
In this workshop we will discuss how renters can benefit from solar, the value and predictable financing for solar, how to use solar to build community resilience, and how Elevate can support equitable solar workforce.
Presenters
Heather Allen, Mike Berkowitz, and MeLena Hessel
Room
Multipurpose B, Lower Level
Material Selection, Health, and Environmental Justice: Reducing the Toxic Footprint of Building Construction
To make homes healthier, we often replace lead-laden wooden windows, lead pipes, and update damaged flooring with smooth, cleanable surfaces. This has proven health benefits for residents. Yet, the replacement materials aren’t without concerns and risks. Some materials create significant upstream health hazards, with their production putting manufacturing workers and front-line communities at risk. Many may also pose long term health risks to residents, especially children, who are living in homes constructed with these materials.
In this workshop, we will use polyvinyl chloride (“PVC” or simply “vinyl”) as an illustrative example of a common material used in construction that possesses the potential for broad harms. We will explore other toxic threats common in building materials, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and discuss how Elevate can be a leader in identifying and specifying alternative materials that are safer for residents and have lower toxic footprints in their manufacture.
Presenters
Patrick MacRoy
Room
Multipurpose A, Lower Level
DREI In Action: What We’ve Done and Where We’re Going
Join Elevate’s DREI leadership team for a session focused on collective growth and coming together to accelerate the journey toward racial equity. Over the past four years, Elevate has embarked on a transformative equity journey, continuously evolving and deepening our understanding of diversity, racial equity, and inclusion (DREI). Join us as we share insights from our experience, emphasizing the continuous cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning that’s essential for any organization or individual striving for genuine inclusion.
To foster intimate discussions and personal connections, the workshop will include small group breakouts, allowing participants to delve deeper into DREI. Be part of this critical dialogue and discover how diversity and equity can serve as powerful catalysts for organizational and personal growth.
Presenters
Briana Parker
Room
Room 3-N6, 3rd Floor
Supporting Growing Businesses with Elevate’s Design Studio
A cohesive and visual brand identity is a key part of a business and can be influential to helping a company grow and reach new customers. Through Elevate’s Design Studio, we provide effective creative solutions and support to growing organizations and businesses that are addressing climate and equity challenges.
In the workshop we will explore how the Elevate Design Studio was created, share insight and lessons learned from working with our first small business, and talk about the future of the Elevate Design Studio and how similar projects can be replicated at Elevate and other organizations.
Presenters
Alex Helbach and Tiffany McFerren
Room
Room 7-N5, 7th Floor
Engaging Electrification: Community-based Partnerships in Building Electrification Implementation
In less than a year, Elevate has worked on electrification retrofits at over 60 affordable housing residencies. Most of this was possible primarily based on an approach of customer engagement with the Chicago Bungalow Association (CBA) that had an over 60% conversion rate.
This workshop will dive into what we have learned from community-based partnerships when working on complicated retrofit programs like electrification. Participants will leave with an understanding of Elevate’s outreach and partnership model.
Presenters
Jackie Montesdeoca and Carla Bruni
Room
Auditorium
More Than a Storyteller: Leveraging Stories and their Power to Make an Impact
In this workshop, we’ll explore how to leverage stories that illuminate the social impact of an organization’s work. We’ll discuss the importance of telling a story to illustrate work, life, and experiences while learning the impact of effective communication. We’ll also examine best practices for digital storytelling that promotes an organization’s community engagement cohesively, demonstrating how stories can be used to nurture relationships. This workshop will leave participants equipped to engage diverse audiences on and offline.
Presenters
Jhmira Alexander
Room
8S14&15, 8th Floor
Understanding High Performance Buildings
When we talk about a high performance building, what do we mean? Elevate’s High Performance Buildings (HPB) team brings together all of Elevate’s services – from energy and water efficiency to electrification and solar – to provide unique, customized solutions for building optimization of affordable housing.
In this workshop, we’ll explore HPBs and share examples of projects we’ve worked on. You will leave with an understanding of an HPB, how to explain them to others, and steps you can take to make your own home reach high performance!
Presenters
Abby Francisco, Jenna Grygier, and Maria Cecilia Quiñones Peña
Room
Reception Hall, Lower Level
Centering Equity and Inclusivity: How We Build Programs to Support a Diverse Clean Energy Workforce
This workshop will offer a comprehensive overview of Elevate’s approach to the design and implementation of Solar Training and Contractor Accelerator programs. We will discuss ways we remove barriers and build bridges, grounded by our vision of empowered Black and Brown leaders of the clean energy economy.
You will gain insights into the underlying methodology guiding the development of our programs and understand the key factors that contribute to successful inclusivity efforts. We will delve into specific program examples, share inspiring stories of our participants and partners, and convey the impact that our programs have had in making clean energy careers accessible to those who have been historically excluded.
Presenters
Nycholle Brown, Melissa Robson, and Juan Pablo Torres-Meza
Room
Chicago Authors Room, 7th Floor
Breakout Session II
Click the workshop title below to view the description!
Removing Barriers, Increasing Access and Diversity in the Illinois Solar Market
Illinois has an established solar market comprised of two state-administered programs – Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All. While this has helped some solar companies see business boom, many small and emerging businesses and diverse contractors struggle to find entry points into the solar market.
This workshop will examine some of the barriers that have kept the solar market out of reach for some, and discuss programming support, financing, and assistance that can help lower those barriers and improve outcomes.
Presenters
Jan Gudell, LaVerne Hall, and Tonya Johnson
Room
Room 8S14&15, 8th Floor
Accessibility in the Built Environment: Visualizing the Invisible
Welcome to a transformative presentation exploring how Universal Design was implemented at the Philip J. Rock Center and School, a residential school for deaf and blind children with disabilities, currently under construction in suburban Illinois. We will share the design solutions, drawn from LCM Architect’s decades-long experience in providing accessible built environments, on how the needs of this user group were met without compromising aesthetics or incurring excessive costs.
Through an in-depth examination of this project, we will explore the art of inclusive design and the nitty-gritty details that make it all happen. Our overview will begin with an introduction to Universal Design, which will include a virtual walk through of the building, the design process, and the details used, such as healthy materials, lighting and daylight control, and accessible design. Discover the ingenious yet cost-effective strategies employed, offering valuable insights applicable to create an inclusive environment that fosters a sense of belonging for all.
Presenters
Erin Rensink
Room
Room 7-N5, 7th Floor
How to Become a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project management is fundamental to the way that Elevate operates! If you manage projects in any capacity, learning about project management and becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) can help you be more effective in your role and grow as a professional.
This workshop will provide project managers and those aspiring to a project management role encouragement to take the next steps to become a certified professional. We’ll cover the steps to become eligible, some key project management skills, and what you can expect from the exam. This workshop will be interactive and games/challenges will be used to introduce content.
Presenters
Colleen Collins, Claus Jensen, and Ruth Kerzee
Room
Multipurpose B, Lower Level
Home Improvements and Community Value: Nuances of Real Estate Professionals and Community Engagement in Black and Brown Communities
Real estate agents are a central part of homeownership, and often serve as a place of support for information and resources about home improvements, tax incentives and rebates, and reputable contractors. Ani Real Estate is a 100% Black owned real estate brokerage whose business model includes bringing information about efficiency rebates and upgrades to their clients, and has been working with Elevate to make this a reality.
In this workshop, we will explore the concerns related to energy efficient homes and gentrification such as the impact on property taxes if homes owned by people of color are valued at a higher selling price because of efficiency upgrades and the connection between energy efficiency upgrades and community gentrification. By addressing the nuance and myth behind these beliefs, the efficiency community can further appreciate the value of working with real estate brokers like Ani Real Estate in communities of color.
Presenters
Wayne Beals, Pamela Brookstein, and Lutalo McGee
Room
Chicago Authors Room, 7th Floor
Stories of Energy Insecurity: Empowered
Empowered is a collaborative project by Elevate and artist Tonika Johnson which features a series of animated video interviews of Chicagoans from across the city telling their experiences with managing energy in their lives and homes.
This unique workshop will be a combination of a screening of the Empowered videos and guided discussion. The audience will have the opportunity to view selected video clips from the Empowered website, followed by space for questions and conversation.
Presenters
Whitney Hayes, Honnie Leinartas, Yami Newell
Room
Auditorium
Becoming a Water Affordability Advocate: Understanding Water Debt in Chicago
A ground-breaking investigation in 2021 found that Chicago water debt disproportionately affects communities of color, with 60% of all overdue water bill dollars concentrated in majority-Black zip codes.
This workshop will shed light on this inequity, and offer guidance to Chicagoans in water debt by examining the City’s water billing practices and discussing available resources. We will also look at findings about the City’s water billing system and understand what resources and financial relief is available. This workshop will also be a helpful resource to community advocates and activists who can become an advocate for water affordability in their communities.
Presenters
Justin Keller, Rachael Burchett, Mark Dunn, Booker Vance
Room
Room 3-N6, 3rd Floor
Corporate Partnerships to Advance Climate Equity
What will it take to turn the tide toward a world that is truly centered in people and planet? This workshop will facilitate conversation with corporate partners to discuss successes and goals for building an equitable ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and economic development. We will share success stories of corporate philanthropy while encouraging more action and partnership. We will also facilitate a Q&A to share how Elevate works with corporate funders and hear what questions staff have around corporate partnerships.
Presenters
Jeanine Otte and Jen Rhodes
Room
Reception Hall, Lower Level
Presenters
Jhmira Alexander
Jhmira Alexander is a resourceful media engagement strategist and social impact leader whose expertise includes change management and nonprofit leadership. She is the president and executive director of Public Narrative – Chicago’s premier cultivator of narrative change and supporter of community oriented journalism for nearly 35 years. Jhmira has led projects for the Chicago Police Department, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (Chicago), Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Medill School of Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications.
Heather Allen
Heather Allen is Elevate’s Associate Director of Policy in Wisconsin. In this role, she works to conquer roadblocks to solar and electrification on affordable housing in the Badger State. In prior roles Heather was responsible for developing policies and programs in government agencies and nonprofits including the City of Madison, Clean Lakes Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Wayne Beals
Wayne Beals is a Chicagoland Real Estate Broker with twenty years of experience and hundreds of local clients. Wayne is committed to market transformation, primarily working with sustainably minded homebuyers, homesellers, investors and developers and is a market leader in designing, marketing and selling all electric and zero energy ready homes, with over 40 sold solar powered, all electric listings closed since 2016. Wayne also serves as the chair of the Chicago Association of Realtors Sustainability Workgroup and as the Co-Chair of the Illinois Green Alliance Programs Committee.
Mike Berkowitz
Mike Berkowitz is the Associate Director of Policy for Michigan at Elevate, where he focuses on advocating for the organization’s priorities at the Michigan legislature, public service commission, and state agencies. Before joining Elevate, he directed the Sierra Club’s Michigan legislative and political programs, as well as led their state Beyond Coal Campaign. Mike volunteers for the City of Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and serves on the City’s Energy Commission.
Pamela Brookstein
Pamela Brookstein manages Elevate’s Value for High Performance Homes initiative, an effort to bring together the energy efficiency and real estate communities to ensure that the value of high-performance homes is visible in real estate transactions. Pamela has a background in sustainability and educating the real estate community. In addition to her live teaching experience, Pamela, in collaboration with the National Association of REALTORS® Green Resource council, developed and manages two online solar education classes for real estate professionals.
Nycholle Brown
Nycholle Brown is the Senior Project Manager in the Workforce & Contractor Development Department at Elevate,where she oversees the solar training & contractor accelerator programs from inception, implementation, monitoring/controlling through to closing. Nycholle is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Prior to joining Elevate, Nycholle worked at Dior Realty Group where she created the training & development program.
Carla Bruni
Carla Bruni is the Preservation and Resiliency Specialist at the Chicago Bungalow Association (CBA). She handles all preservation- and sustainability-related fieldwork, inquiries, and educational materials, and is responsible for the creation of its National Register historic districts. Carla also facilitates, and occasionally leads, CBA’s seminars and educational videos. Carla holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is also a lecturer with SAIC’s Department of Historic Preservation.
Colleen Collins
Colleen Collins is the Principal Operation Consultant at Elevate, where she supports leadership in developing overarching strategies for the organization operational efforts and coordinates with program and finance teams on short and long-term financial performance requirements for projects. Colleen helped develop a curriculum to assist project managers with project planning, resourcing and management ensuring compliance and attainment of goals.
Abby Francisco
Abby Francisco is a Senior Project Manager on the National Strategic Engagement Team at Elevate, where she provides research, technical expertise, and project management to optimize the performance of multifamily buildings. Previously, Abby pursued her doctorate at Georgia Tech, where she conducted research at the intersection of building energy analytics and human computer interaction.
Claus Jensen
Claus Jensen is a Senior Strategist, Operations at Elevate, where he manages Elevate’s ERP software strategy for Finance, Project Management, and Resource Management. Claus is also involved in streamlining operations processes, best practice and overall adhering to Elevate’s Project Management philosophy.
Tonya Johnson
Tonya Johnson is a Senior Associate with Illinois Solar for All at Elevate where she identifies funding and capacity building resources for Small and Emerging Businesses participating in the Illinois Solar for All program. She serves on the Environmental Justice Self-Designation Committee and is a licensed real estate practitioner. Tonya supports Elevate’s mission to provide access and resources to the people we serve, supporting them to become leaders in climate action.
Jenna Grygier
Jenna Grygier is a Senior Program Manager on the National Strategic Engagement Team at Elevate, where she leads development and implementation of the High Performance Building team’s services related to energy efficiency, electrification, and energy modeling. Prior to joining Elevate in 2022, Jenna was a Senior Mechanical Engineer providing HVAC design, energy modeling, project management and consulting services focused on energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ) and building certifications (e.g., LEED) for commercial properties and portfolios.
Jan Gudell
Jan Erik Gudell is Associate Director of Illinois Solar for All at Elevate. Jan supports the Vendor Management team and external partners in implementation of the ILSFA Program by providing strategic guidance, technical expertise, process development, and continuous program improvement. Jan and his team also help remove barriers to improve access and participation for diverse solar contractors in the Illinois solar market. Jan has worked on innovative solar and energy efficiency programs and projects, leveraging community based efforts to spread awareness and provide value to local communities.
LaVerne Hall
LaVerne Hall is the President and CEO of CANDO Corporation. Consulting Associates Negotiating Diversity Opportunities (CANDO) has a mission to promote the success of local and underresourced firms by providing technical assistance and services that enhance the firm’s ability to perform. LaVerne works on the Illinois Solar for All program with the Small & Emerging Business capacity building program by providing technical assistance in M/W/DBE certification and approved vendor requirements.
Whitney Hayes
Whitney Hayes is a Research Analyst at Elevate, where she serves as a key member in the planning, development, and implementation of applied research projects for both external clients and internal business units. Prior to joining Elevate, Whitney was a graduate student of Sociology at Virginia Tech.
Alexander Helbach
Alexander Helbach is the Senior Art Director of Elevate, where he manages the organization’s visual identity. Alex utilizes print and digital design as well as animation, to create engaging marketing and communications materials that explain complicated efficiency concepts. Before joining Elevate, Alex was a Graphics Producer at the Chicago Tribune, where he created high-impact information graphics and animations that ran in the print and online editions.
MeLena Hessel
MeLena Hessel is the Associate Director of Policy at Elevate, where she focuses on putting recently passed climate legislation in Illinois into action. Before joining Elevate, she was a Senior Policy Advocate at the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) where she focused on clean energy access and development and worked on various projects, such as co-facilitating the Illinois Solar for All working group and revitalizing the Chicago Pedway.
Justin Keller
Justin Keller, AICP, is a Strategist, Water Programs at Elevate. Through collaborations with water utilities and other partners, Justin supports the Water Programs’ mission to provide clean, safe, and affordable water for Illinois residents and throughout the Great Lakes region. In addition to his work at Elevate, Justin is Director of the Chicago Metro Section of the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Ruth Kerzee
Ruth Kerzee is a senior program manager of Elevate’s Water Programs, where she leads technical assistance for the Cook County Lead Service Line Replacement program. Ruth has over 20 years of experience of public health practice and project managment. Ruth serves as the Chair to Elevate’s Project Management Board and works on continuous improvements to the organization’s project management processes.
Patrick MacRoy
Patrick MacRoy is the Principal Director, Environmental Health & Water Programs at Elevate. In this role Patrick works to integrate health-protective measures into Elevate’s programs and leads the organization’s efforts to eliminate toxic chemicals from drinking water and building materials. Prior to returning to Elevate in 2022, Patrick spent six years as the Deputy Director of the Portland, Maine based environmental health advocacy organization Defend Our Health.
Tiffany McFerren
Tiffany McFerren is a Project Manager, Workforce Contractor and Development at Elevate where she works with historically marginalized contractors supporting their business by the way of 1:1 mentorship and coaching services to help them to expand more into the clean energy economy. Tiffany also helps to build new and expound on existing relationships to build additional pipeline opportunities externally for contractors as well as incorporate ways for external partners to work cohesively together with Elevate Workforce Contractor and Development Department.
Lutalo McGee
Lutalo McGee is the proud owner and designated managing broker of Ani Real Estate (ARE) and the of the Ani team. ARE is a commercial and residential real estate brokerage in the Chicago metropolitan area that serves everyone from first time home buyers to seasoned investors seeking commercial opportunities. As a real estate practitioner, Lutalo has been a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) and the Illinois Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors for 17 years. Lutalo currently sits as a director on the Board of the Chicago Association of Realtors.
Jackie Montesdeoca
Jackie Montesdeoca is the Director of Building Electrification at Elevate, where she is responsible for managing equitable building electrification strategies, including developing and implementing retrofit projects, in coordination with technical teams across the organization. Jackie supports Elevate’s strategic goals to decarbonize buildings and support climate equity and is part of Elevate’s senior leadership team.
Jeanine Otte
Jeanine Otte is the Director of External Partnerships at Elevate. In this role, Jeanine develops programs and partnerships with funding organizations and community partners to advance Elevate’s mission of equity through climate action. Prior to this role, Jeanine led Elevate’s Contractor and Workforce Accelerator programs partnering with local workforce and small business development agencies.
Briana Parker
Briana Parker is the Senior Director, Justice40 Accelerator at Elevate. In her role, Briana supports Elevate’s mission by leading equity-focused projects that support building the capacity of community-based organizations to implement community-driven climate solutions. In addition, Briana leads Elevate’s Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) Committee and oversees organization’s DREI Action Plan initiatives and coordinate with executive team to inform those initiatives.
Maria Cecilia Quiñones Peña
Maria Cecilia Quiñones Peña is a Senior Project Manager on the National Strategic Engagement team at Elevate, where she provides tailored services to property owners, managers, and developers, to meet their high-performance property goals. To date, she has touched almost 400 properties representing almost 24 million square feet of space and 9,000 multi-family units. Before joining Elevate, Ms. Quiñones was a Commercial Sustainability Services Project Engineer at Southface Energy Institute.
Erin Rensink
Erin Rensink is an architect with LCM Architects, an architecture practice that focuses on buildings that integrate accessible elements within the design. Erin has approximately 20 years of experience in the architecture field. Her favorite and most rewarding projects were with home and business owners after Hurricane Katrina, and working with small business owners in Chicago and project managing the renovation and conversion of a 1920’s high school to geothermal heating and cooling. She is currently project manager for two new construction 150+ unit multi-family projects, a SRO renovation, and a facilities and maintenance plant. She resides in the Grand Boulevard Community Area of Bronzeville, where she is renovating a 1890’s red limestone home.
Jen Rhodes
Jen Rhodes is MEEA’s Membership & External Relations Director. In this role, Jen manages MEEA’s membership program of over 150 businesses and organizations. She also oversees MEEA’s marketing, outreach, and events, including the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. Prior to working at MEEA, she managed the membership programs at John G. Shedd Aquarium and MCA Chicago. Jen also is the co-chair of AESP’s Women in Energy Committee and is on the board of their Great Lakes Chapter.
Melissa Robson
Melissa Robson is the Senior Program Manager, Contractor Development at Elevate, where she manages Elevate’s Contractor Development efforts in Oregon and the Midwest. Elevate’s Contractor Development programs are designed to reduce barriers for small business owners from historically marginalized communities and to empower BIPOC entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs as leaders in the clean energy economy. Prior to joining Elevate, Melissa worked with Habitat for Humanity Portland Region.
Juan Pablo Torres-Meza
Juan Pablo Torres Meza is the Senior Project Manager for Workforce & Contractor Development at Elevate. Juan is an experienced contract administrator certified through the American Contract Compliance association. He believes in economic inclusion as a means for community development.
About Elevate
Elevate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works nationally and is headquartered in Chicago. Elevate seeks to create a just and equitable world in which everyone has clean and affordable heat, power, and water in their homes and communities — no matter who they are or where they live. Our programs, policy agenda, and partners reflect this commitment.