The USGBC-CA Women+ in Green Committee’s Annual Breakfast is back!

Join us for our annual community gathering where we’ll enjoy a morning breakfast spread (caffeine included!), networking, inspiring speakers, and a roundtable discussion. We can’t wait to see you there again this year at the 1Cal!

Women in Workforce Development:
How do we develop the Green Collar Economy? Join us, the Women+ in Green Committee of the USGBC-CA, as we unify across the state to come together and take action!

This isn't just a breakfast; we're cultivating the future of sustainable careers. Expert speakers will spotlight electrification, infrastructure, and transportation trends. Then, we'll break into roundtables where veterans and newcomers alike will connect and share insights.

Our speakers include:

• Ashley Besic, Thermal Energy Networks, Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC)
• Brittany Waddell, Environmental Management, Flatiron Construction
• Erin Wimberly, Equity and Community Engagement, CALSTART
• Lujuana Medina, Environmental Initiatives Division Manager, Energy & Environmental Services, County of Los Angeles
• Sima Thakkar, VP of Health & Climate Equity, Raza Development Fund

Key topics:

• Follow the Funding: Where are the green dollars flowing?
• Skill Up for Success: Identify the key competencies driving the green job market forward.
• Equity in Action: How do we leverage these insights for a green economy inclusive of women?
• Cultivate Your Green Network: Connecting leaders and rising stars.

(Please note: This event WILL sell out. There is limited capacity in the venue space so we will not be able to accommodate additional parties after we reach ticketing capacity. Please get your tickets early to ensure your attendance! )

USGBC-CA members, please sign in to the Community Hub to access the member codes for your special rate here. Sign up for your membership here.

About the Women in Green Breakfast:

A highly-anticipated and annual favorite in our community! The WiG Breakfast has been a yearly occurrence where we gather, meet and mingle, and come together to support the women of our industry. All are welcome to join and we hope to see you there! Learn more here about the USGBC-CA Women+ in Green Committee!

Options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary restrictions will be available. Please contact events@usgbc-ca.org for more information.

Interested in purchasing group seating for your office, full or half tables, or sponsoring this event? Check out the prospectus!

Meet the speakers:

Ashley Besic
Senior Associate of Thermal Energy Networks, Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC)

Ashley, the Senior Associate of Thermal Energy Networks at the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving impactful change. Leading initiatives that engage policymakers, the building industry, and consumers, she pioneers zero-emission lifestyle solutions, aiming to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels and significantly reduce climate pollution. In collaboration with the team, Ashley plays a pivotal role in convening state policymakers, manufacturers, and industry associations, working towards a comprehensive strategy for the phased transition away from gas appliances and implementing BDC's thermal network coalition organizing activities across the U.S.

Additionally, Ashley oversees the Making Equity Real process, integrating equity considerations into all stages of project development and execution, ensuring that equity metrics and goals are established, tracked, and met across all TENs activities, and advocating for equitable practices and policies within the organization and among stakeholders. They manage the day-to-day operations of the National TENs Coalition. Acknowledged for her ability to solicit feedback and represent BDC's interests in national dialogues, Ashley serves as a relationship manager for critical stakeholder groups. Before her impactful tenure at BDC, she led the implementation of the ULI Net Zero Imperative and played a key role in establishing sustainability initiatives at LivCor, showcasing her passion and precision. Ashley holds a Master of Science in Real Estate and a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies, along with certifications as a LEED Green Associate, Fitwel Ambassador, and Green Globes Emerging Professional.

Brittany Waddell
Southwest District Environmental Manager, Flatiron Construction

With over 14 years of experience in large-scale, Brittany played civil and utility construction project management. She has honed her skills in navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring adherence to stringent compliance standards. As the Southwest District Environmental Manager at Flatiron Construction, Brittany's role goes beyond mere oversight; she actively develops and implements innovative strategies to address environmental challenges while optimizing project performance. Brittany has facilitated the successful execution of major infrastructure projects, such as the San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 Expansion, North Coast Corridor, California High Speed Rail, West Mission Bay Drive, and other notable projects. Furthermore, Brittany is the Regional Lead of Flatiron’s Women’s Employee Resource group, advocating for equal opportunities, professional growth, and amplifying the voices and talents of women, ensuring they are integral contributors to the future of heavy civil construction.

Erin Wimberly
Equity and Community Engagement Project Manager, CALSTART

Erin joined CALSTART’s Clean Fuels and Infrastructure team as the Equity and Community Engagement Project Manager in October of 2022. Combining her administrative experience at the UCLA Anderson School of Business with her community engagement experience with local community-based organizations like We Love Leimert and the Birthworkers of Color Collective, Erin focuses on equity design and community engagement strategy for infrastructure incentives. She supports the California Energy Commission’s medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission infrastructure incentive program – EnergIIZE and light-duty electric vehicle charger incentive project - Communities in Charge, the eTRUC High Power Charging Infrastructure Deployment Research Project, Eaton’s Medium Voltage Distribution Demonstration Project, Washington State’s Joint Office of Transportation and energy’s Medium and Heav-Duty Incentive Design Project while co-leading CALSTART’s DEI employee resource group. In her spare time, you can find Erin gardening, cycling, or spending time with family and friends.

Lujuana Medina
Environmental Initiatives Division Manager, Energy & Environmental Services, County of Los Angeles

With over 19 years in the energy industry and now a local government leader, Lujuana is responsible for managing and operating environmental initiatives programs administered by the County of Los Angeles. This includes the Southern California Regional Energy Network (a portfolio of energy efficiency) and the SoCal EVen Access (a portfolio of EV infrastructure programs). Her work focuses on the opportunities that climate change presents to redesign existing systems and processes while collaborating with diverse partners to implement equitable, innovative, and comprehensive climate solutions, including workforce development, to address the green economy’s needs.

Sima Thakkar
VP of Health & Climate Equity, Raza Development Fund

Sima Thakkar currently serves as Raza Development Fund’s VP of Health & Climate Equity. Her work aims to increase access to capital to help build more inclusive, racially equitable, and resilient communities. She is leading RDF’s efforts to reinforce and expand critical community health infrastructure as well as equitable approaches to climate finance.

Sima has over two decades of experience in community development working on programs focused on affordable housing and economic development programs in Phoenix, San Diego and Nashville. She is an Urban Planner with a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and B.A. in Urban Planning and Public Administration from Miami University. She is also a proud member of the 2024 cohort of the Fulcrum Fellowship.

This year, we are proud to partner with the first-ever Los Angeles Climate Week™, as one of the diverse events offered from September 8 to 15 for the LA community to collaborate, exchange ideas, and foster local climate solutions.

Join us to learn about innovative climate change solutions from climate organizations, policymakers, innovators, companies, and changemakers from across LA and beyond.

In partnership with:

Los Angeles Climate Week™

Sponsored by:

AQMD

Green Econome

Additionally, thank you Rising Realty Partners for providing the event venue, and CarbonShack for the seating area furniture.

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Your assistance plays a vital role in propelling our efforts forward, allowing us to drive positive change and further our mission of fostering a sustainable future for California. Make a donation today to be a part of this transformative journey!

To delve deeper into our initiatives and learn more about USGBC-CA, visit our website or connect with us on social media. Join us in building a more sustainable and resilient California!

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Please be advised that national and international registrations received outside of California are not guaranteed. We reserve the right to refuse entry to ensure California Residents can access this training opportunity. Please be aware that USGBC-CA may capture photos and videos during this event. By participating, you may appear in these visual recordings. Your presence at the event signifies your consent to be featured in these photos or videos, which may be utilized for educational, archival, or promotional endeavors.