Team and Culture
Meet Team USGBC California
Meet Team USGBC California
We’re a passionate, mission-driven team working to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient California. We lead innovative projects, cultivate a supportive culture, and have fun while doing it!
Whether you’re collaborating with us or looking to join our team, we’re excited to connect.
Join Our Team!
At USGBC California, we value both people and purpose. Our team enjoys a comprehensive benefits package that includes unlimited vacation, 13 paid holidays, healthcare coverage (including vision and dental), a 401(k) plan, life insurance, paid parental leave, and an annual bonus program. We offer a flexible hybrid work environment based out of a LEED Platinum and WELL Gold-certified office, conveniently located near public transit and bike share.
Team members also have access to USGBC-CA training, industry events, and continuing education reimbursement. We foster a supportive culture through regular team-building activities and retreats. Most importantly, we prioritize work-life balance, we work to live, not live to work, while staying focused on meaningful projects, collaboration, and impact.
Staff
Ben Stapleton
Executive Director (He/Him)
A native Angeleno, Ben Stapleton is a recognized sustainability leader who brings a creative mind and consultative approach to a wide range of projects with a focus on building teams and designing programs to deliver impactful results. His current work is based on coordinating an ecosystem leveraging the built environment as the entry point and connective fabric to help create a more sustainable society for all as Executive Director for the U.S. Green Building Council California.
In his time at USGBC-CA, he has strengthened the foundation of this leading, membership-based sustainability organization while developing and delivering a portfolio of community engagement and education focused programming centered on climate justice, high performance buildings, occupant health, corporate sustainability and regional resilience; establishing talent development and a people first philosophy as the pillars of the brand.
Previously, he launched and then managed the La Kretz Innovation Campus in Downtown LA while leading operations, finance, and major program initiatives for the LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI). The Campus has become an epicenter for sustainability in the region and an iconic green building for the City of LA, featuring events with prominent thought leaders, while being home to a community of cutting-edge businesses and nonprofits. During his time at LACI, the team worked with 80+ companies to raise $225M+ in funding, create 1,800+ jobs, and deliver $400M+ in long-term economic value for the City of LA.
His other work has included real estate advisory, energy efficiency consulting, facilities operations, site selection, and project management as well as business and strategy development for a wide range of companies and real estate investors. He serves on a number of boards where his talents and insight have proven invaluable in managing, negotiating, and executing on complex real estate projects while delivering technology startups and community engagement programs that exceed expectations.
He is a recipient of JLL’s distinctive Da Vinci Award for Innovation, the Los Angeles Business Council’s Community Impact Award, Stratiscope’s Impact Maker to Watch Award, and CoStar’s Power Broker designation in the Los Angeles market. Representing competing schools in Los Angeles, Stapleton holds a MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business as well as a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA. Ben is a LEED AP O+M, ENV SP, and WELL AP certified green building nerd driven by a connection to nature while being inspired by the people around him.
Becky Feldman Edwards
Chief of Staff (She/Her)
Becky brings 15+ years of varied management and events experience to USGBC-CA. With an ongoing goal of working with organizations and projects that will have a positive impact on the community and planet, she launched BE+, a creative consulting agency in 2017. Since then, she has worked with amazing organizations including, The City of Santa Monica, Plug in South LA, Fika Ventures, The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and now USGBC-CA. Her previous roles as Corporate Sustainability and Events Manager have allowed her to bring her strong management skill set and passion for the environment together to tackle her true goal, saving this beautiful planet she loves so much!
A native Angeleno, Becky’s happy place is in nature, especially the ocean. She is an avid surfer, hiker, triathlete, and gardener and enjoys exploring California and traveling to new places solo or with her young daughter Sierra and partner Alek.
Wayne Alldredge
Senior Advisor, Building Performance
Kyle Pickett
Senior Advisor, Community Engagement (He/Him)
Kyle is the Co-founder and Board VP for the William Worthen Foundation, a 501c3 public benefit corporation that conducts research and creates outreach initiatives on the planning, design, construction, performance, and beauty of the built environment. The Worthen Foundation produced the award winning Water Reuse Practice Guide and the 7 volume publication of the Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.
Additionally, Kyle serves as Director, Special Projects for Verdani Institute for the Built Environment and as a Senior Advisor for USGBC California. Kyle lectures on resource stewardship strategies for the built environment at universities and vocational schools across California.
Previously, Kyle was Director, Leadership and Market Development for New Buildings Institute. His tenure included oversight of the Getting to Zero Forum, a conference collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute. And until August 2021, Kyle served as Urban Fabrick Inc’s Co-founder and COO and was responsible for the consultancy’s West Coast operations. His leadership had established the firm as an influential community partner and reputable for inclusive technical training and successful sustainability projects.
Heidi Creighton
Senior Advisor, Decarbonization (She/Her)
Robyn Eason
Senior Advisor, Policy & Advocacy (She/Her/Love)
(she/her/love)
Robyn is a fun-loving, challenge-seeking professional who exists to do the work of a human being embodying empathy, compassion, and love. Her experience incorporates the vast array of systems thinking, strategy, & expertise necessary to nurture human-centered approaches to sustainability through change management and targeted universalism. From 2016 to 2022, she built an award-winning sustainability program for the City of West Hollywood that anchored the intersectional components of the field that make it such a powerful movement in shaping the way we heal from past and present traumas, uplift all living things, and amplify inclusivity, reciprocity, and equitable outcomes. The program included a portfolio of projects, including electrical vehicle charging readiness, clean energy initiatives, water efficiency and conservation, climate action planning, and green building. Her many roles at USGBC and GBCI from 2009 to 2016 included direction of certification activities for LEED for Neighborhood Development, LEED review execution & quality control responsibilities for the LEED Building Design and Construction Rating System, GBCI’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Location and Transportation (LT) credits, and other duties related to customer support, business development, and education.
Robyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from The Catholic University of America in Northeast Washington (DC) and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University in Clemson (SC). She has served in various leadership roles within the American Planning Association, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, USGBC-Los Angeles, the Urban Land Institute, STAR Communities (now LEED for Cities), and co-founded the California BIPOC Sustainability Network to serve as a brave space of support & nourishment to environmental professionals of color. She is a recipient of the 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award (WSLA), a 2022 AIA-LA Presidential Honoree, a credentialed member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, & is accredited in LEED Building Design + Construction and LEED for Neighborhood Development.Robyn is nourished by rich & genuine connections with people, places, and the land. She has a passion for sunrises & sunsets, cultural anthropology, travel, music, books, mindfulness meditation, sustainable wine & spirits, and the Great Outdoors.
Maureen Erbeznik
Senior Advisor, Water Innovation
Maureen Erbeznik has been a driving leader of California’s water efficiency initiatives for the past 32 years… creating the designs and directing the daily operations of a multitude of high-achievement water programs. Maureen owns and operates a women-owned consulting firm specializing in water use efficiency market/program evaluations, strategic planning, marketing campaign development, and program design and implementation. On behalf of her clients, Maureen identifies messaging and outreach strategies for products and diverse customer markets, secures political and community support, and directs the launch of new initiatives.
Maureen has led some of the most innovative multi-agency initiatives for Metropolitan Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, San Diego County Water Authority, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Her management includes 50+ successful water efficiency programs including Metropolitan Water District’s SoCal WaterSmart Large Landscape Turf Removal Program resulting in the removal of 40 million square feet of turf.
Maureen has also developed and delivered twenty-five water use efficiency strategic plans for utilities throughout California. Each of these plans include an in-depth market analysis as well as design of program marketing and delivery mechanisms to meet each agency’s water savings goals.
In 2018, Maureen authored the highly regarded Alliance for Water Efficiency Market Analysis and Recommendations for Landscape Transformation Study. The study includes: the most expansive and diverse evaluation of outdoor water efficiency programs, an in-depth market analysis of customer barriers and drivers to making landscape transformations and irrigation upgrades, and recommendations to move the market towards reducing irrigation requirements at properties. Report highlights were recently published in the AWWA Journal and the Opflow magazine.
A sampling of Maureen’s current clients include:
- Metropolitan Water District’s Water Savings Incentive Program
- LA County Waterworks’ Malibu and Topanga Smart Program
- Santa Clarita Valley Water District’s Lawn Replacement Program
- Municipal Water District of Orange County Residential Potential Study
- LABBC’s Water Technical Advisor
- Alliance for Water Efficiency’s Cooling Technologies Study
Ari Simon
Senior Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement
Ari Simon is a facilitator, community engagement specialist, climate policy convener, grief guide, and leadership coach. Ari‘s work equips people, organizations, and communities to spur climate resilience and recognize loss as a gateway for transformation rather than a liability. Their landmark program, Grief at Work, brings grief honoring & loss competent approaches to workplaces, policies, and programs — particularly for professionals working to address climate crises.
Through a California-anchored consulting practice, Ari has directed outreach, planning, policymaking, and climate-focused initiatives, collaborating with a wide variety of civic-facing clients across the US. They conduct strategic planning efforts, facilitate workshops, develop trauma-aware outreach approaches, and run regional convenings.
Ari weaves a background in climate policy, planning, and management from the University of Southern California with training in contemplative practice, coaching, wellbeing, and end-of-life care. They make navigating change and spurring resilience the centerpiece of their work – applying it to a myriad of personal, professional, and policy realms. Ari is from New Jersey, considers New York City their multigenerational home, and is currently based in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California.
Fernanda Zuin
Senior Director of Projects (She/Her)
As a professional in the sustainability field for over 12 years in Brazil, working on the implementation of environmental management systems in various industry sectors during the early stages of the sustainability movement in that country, she brings her experience in community outreach and government affairs while developing solutions to mitigate environmental impacts resulting from mining activities and vehicles manufacturing. Fernanda holds a Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering and earned her diploma with distinction for the completion of the Certificate in Sustainability from UCLA Extension.
Julie Du Brow
Director, Communications & Partnerships (She/Her)
Julie serves as Director, Community & Partnerships for the U.S. Green Building Council California. She has been with the organization for over a decade, including serving as Interim Executive Director, and starting as a volunteer with the Westside Branch. She is dedicated to addressing climate change through a sustainable, equitable and resilient built environment by sharing stories of impactful education and community programs and policies, and by nurturing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. Since 2003, Julie has worked providing support to manufacturers, and for- and non-profit changemaker clients who are helping create a more sustainable society.
Carrie Hester
Director of Development (She/Her)
Carrie Hester is a part of the USGBC-CA family as our Director of Development. With over 20 years of experience in program development and advancement, Carrie is passionate about people and the planet. She has served several organizations such as The Y to grow their fundraising and advancement strategy. As a former Starbucks partner, Carrie was a founding chair of Partners for Sustainability LACCAL building the infrastructure to provide education, fellowship, and community opportunities for baristas in sustainability. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Management and Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Digital Innovation and Information Systems from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and currently studies sustainability at Harvard University. Carrie lives in Los Angeles with her family and enjoys all things related to coffee and the ocean.
Melanie Peck
Director of Workforce Development
Colin Mangham
Director of Innovation
Colin has guided dozens of global brands (generating over $500 million in revenues) and hundreds of entrepreneurs (securing over $85 million in capital) through birth, growth, and rebirth. As Director of Innovation and a member of the USGBC California leadership team, he focuses on promoting, developing, aligning, and implementing innovation both within the organization and with the partners and communities we serve.
Since 2020, he has led the Net Zero Accelerator (NZA), helping startups accelerate the commercialization of cleantech innovations that drive progress toward net-zero energy, carbon, water, and waste. He has hands on guided the success of 89 companies, and with engagement ranging from 1:1 advisory to workshop facilitation to pitch sessions and panel discussions at major industry events.
With extensive international experience—having traveled to 33 countries and conducted business in many—Colin champions our International Gateway, an initiative born out of the NZA. This program facilitates market entry for growth-stage companies focused on expanding into California while also exporting the thought leadership of USGBC-CA and its partners across the state, the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Colin’s mentorship and guidance are further informed by his C-suite roles including CMO, CCO, and COO as well as President and co-founder of Morpho Energy, a renewable energy company unlocking the idle asset value of commercial and industrial rooftops through solar, storage, and energy efficiency measures. Additionally, his approach to Natural Innovation™ integrates deeply human motives with nature’s operating principles to develop impactful brands and go-to-market strategies.
His “Find Your Woods” TEDx and appearances on CNN’s “Going Green” have helped establish him as an internationally recognized voice for biomimicry and nature-based innovation. As a Liverpool MBA and LSU Tiger, Colin lectures frequently at universities including UCLA, USC, LMU, DePaul, The University of Helsinki, and the ESB Business School at Reutlingen University (Germany), where he recently served three years as Visiting Faculty.
Colin’s certifications include Biomimicry Specialist, LEED Green Associate, and Living Future Ambassador. Colin has been an Angeleno since 1998 and is now rooted in the hills with his wife, kids, cats, and whatever neighboring species happen along.
Kim Krempien
Senior Community & Events Manager, (She/Her)
Kim joins USGBC-CA as the Community & Events Manager with over ten years experience in operations, event planning, and production. As self-described entrepreneur and creative, Kim transformed her passion for sustainability into a redesign workshop with a mission to champion circularity and reduce textile waste. In 2023, she graduated from USC Marshall with Certificate in Sustainability and Business, complementing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Environment from Concordia University. Kim joins USGBC-CA energized and excited about creating unforgettable, engaging events for the organization’s community in Los Angeles.
Beryl Sinclair
Senior Sustainability Program Manager (She/Her)
Beryl brings a cross-functional background in program strategy and operations, facilities and environmental management, and geographic analysis to her role as Senior Sustainability Program Manager at USGBC California. She leads a team of stakeholder engagement and technical project management specialists to implement programs to equitably increase the sustainability and resiliency of the built environment, including Green Homes California which accelerates the decarbonization of existing single- and multifamily housing in communities on the frontlines of climate change. She is passionate about advancing a just transition through climate adaptation and local mitigation strategies.
Before moving to Los Angeles, she managed park operations for the High Line, an elevated infrastructure reuse project and urban landscape in New York City where she worked at the nexus of green buildings, public space, and spatial data science. She holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, a certificate in GIS and Design, and ENV SP, LEED Green Associate, and LEED Cities and Communities credentials.
Priscilla (Pri) Steele
Senior Marketing Manager
Pri, our Senior Marketing Manager, is passionate about creating a positive impact in the community through outreach, education, and awareness. Born and raised in Costa Rica, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in advertising from the Latin University of Costa Rica. She later moved to Los Angeles, exploring opportunities in the fashion and education sectors before discovering her true calling in sustainability.
In addition to her professional role, Pri volunteers at the Humane Society and is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and adoptions. She believes strongly in giving animals a second chance at a better life and uses her voice to raise awareness about rescue, adoption, and responsible pet ownership.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Pri loves spending time with her two beautiful terrier mixes, Pixar and Cricket, who were both rescued in Los Angeles. Playing with them is one of her favorite hobbies, bringing joy and balance to her busy life. Pri also channels her creativity and passion for storytelling to help Costa Rican non-profits boost their visibility through social media strategies, focusing on causes like environmental conservation, animal rescue, and mental health awareness.
Robert Carr
Training and Program Manager (He/Him)
Robert Carr is a green building professional who specializes in making the built environment more sustainable. He is a LEED AP, LFA, and GPRO instructor and has used this experience to participate in many LEED projects in the San Diego region. Robert continues to use his project experience to educate others in green building strategies, measures, and practices. Robert also volunteers for SD 350 and the San Diego Building Electrification Coalition to advocate for just, equitable and sustainable communities for all.
Elizabeth Christy
Education Programs Manager (She/Her)
Elizabeth graduated in Environmental Studies from Temple University. Elizabeth worked under Joanne Donahue, the Manager of Land Restoration at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education cultivating native plants and removing invasive species from the Penn’s Native Acre. Elizabeth also designed and installed an educational sensory garden for students. Elizabeth also worked in the West End of Outdoor Horticulture at Longwood Gardens, where she oversaw the orchard, Migratory Bird Sanctuary, vegetable garden, idea garden, trial garden, children’s garden.
Since moving to California, Elizabeth was the Program Manager for Eco Urban Gardens. She developed and implemented the Farm to Table and Farm to School programs. Elizabeth combines her passion for regenerative landscape and urban design with the impact on community health and environmental justice. She has a Docent Naturalist certification from Eaton Canyon Nature Center and has volunteered for the LA County Arboretum and California Native Plant Society.
Valentina Richardson
Outreach Manager (She/Her)
Valentina is a seasoned social anthropologist with over a decade of experience in sustainability, spanning Mexico and the United States. Born in Mexico City and raised between Mexico and Honduras, Valentina has a deep understanding of Latino culture. She’s authentically curious making her an empathetic and effective communicator.
Valentina‘s career includes developing sustainability projects for the federal government and serving as a sustainability advisor in the Office of the President of Mexico. She is dedicated to our mission and is grateful to contribute directly to the Los Angeles community she now calls home.
When she’s not working hard for the mission she likes spending time with her husband and family, volunteering in her community, practicing yoga, and hiking.
Jennifer Newfield
Operations Manager
Jen brings a multifaceted project management background to her role as the Operations Manager at USGBC-CA. Having studied stage management followed by working over a decade at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Jen has been a producer on entertainment projects, great and small, mobilizing teams to hit seemingly impossible deadlines with very few resources; utilizing strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills to do so. Finding a home in the non-profit sector where she can support a team of people who are fighting for the health and well-being of all citizens of the planet is blissfully fulfilling.
Jen also enjoys the act of getting her hands dirty outside of work; she has been a long-time volunteer in the restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts of organizations like TreePeople and FOLAR. She feels passionate about education and climate literacy for children and is currently pursuing a certificate in Sustainability at UCLA, studying product life cycles in local supply chains and environmental justice.
The way Jen feels grounded is by finding like-minded people who share in the joy of being stewards of our environment and inspiring each other to reach our green goals.
Pars Parikh
Strategic Projects Manager (He/Him)
With a passion for implementing sustainable practices from a multi-disciplinary approach, Pars serves as the Strategic Projects Manager. He has experience in various areas and focuses on strategies to decarbonize the built environment, including building performance, clean construction, clean tech innovation, procurement, and business development. Pars is also particularly passionate about the sustainable management of waste. He loves animals having a dog and two cats and enjoys investing. A native Californian, Pars earned his Bachelor’s in Economics with a minor in Environmental Science from UCLA.
Michael Rochmes
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
Melody Cade
Program Coordinator
Marilyn King
Grants Coordinator (She/Her)
Marilyn brings over 20 years of comprehensive experience in Nonprofit Fundraising and Development to USGBC-CA. She has a proven track record of collaborating effectively with foundations, donors, sponsors, vendors, and boards. She has played an instrumental role in advancing numerous organizations in the healthcare, affordable housing, and education sectors. Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Oregon and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from American Jewish University in Los Angeles, CA. In her free time, she enjoys paper crafting, camping, traveling, hanging out with her cats, and everything Disney.
Kaelyn Lopez
Training Coordinator
Ling Luo
Marketing and Visual Content Coordinator
Eva Holman
Community and Events Coordinator (She/Her)
Maya Serota
Sustainability Program Coordinator (She/Her)
Sarah Wolf
Career Coordinator
Sarah Wolf, ENV SP is USGBC-CA’s Sustainability Career Coordinator.
Cecile Lee
Development Associate (She/Her)
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Smith College in 2019, Cecile returned home to sunny Los Angeles and started a small garden. It was through this passion project that she was alerted to the extent of the climate crisis and its effect on the natural world. This revelation sparked her passion for Sustainability. She worked for a local environmental non-profit as a communication coordinator in 2020 and during lockdown took classes through UCLA to further educate herself. She studied environmental science, sustainable business practices, corporate social responsibility, and project management. Outside of USGBC-CA, Cecile enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, staying updated on social movements, and defending her garden from squirrels.
Kayla Mak
Community & Events Associate
