Sustainability at Harvard

Harvard Sustainability Team

Office for Sustainability

  2. OFS Director

    Heather Henriksen is the Director of the Office for Sustainability at Harvard University. She holds a Master's in Public Administration with a focus on energy and environment from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). While a student at HKS, Heather was a member of the Harvard University Task Force on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, commissioned by President Drew Faust to recommend a GHG reduction goal for the University. Heather is also a partner of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national community of business people lobbying for environmental policies which protect the environment while building economic prosperity. Heather’s work with E2, since 2002, has brought her into closer partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Before graduate school, Heather was Director of Corporate Marketing & Business Development at Time Warner. Prior to her nine year tenure at Time Warner she was an Assistant Director of Development at Stanford University Law School. She serves on Secretary Napolitano’s Sustainability and Efficiency Task Force, Department of Homeland Security, and on the Board of Trustees of Phillips Brooks House Association, the undergraduate social service and social action organization at Harvard College. She holds a B.A. from Tulane University.

  3. Assistant Director

    Jaclyn Olsen joined OFS team in January of 2005 as the Longwood Campus Coordinator. Jaclyn comes from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs where she spent three years as the Project Manager for the State Sustainability Program, a comprehensive “Greening the Government” effort to help reduce the ecological footprint of state agency operations. As Project Manager Jaclyn worked with state agencies on specific pilot projects, tracking and reporting of environmental impacts, developing guidance and outreach materials, and planning for sustainability. Prior to her experience with the State Sustainability Program Jaclyn worked briefly as the Sales/Marketing Coordinator for a startup software company. Jaclyn received a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1999.

  4. Assistant Director

    Robyn Tsukayama joined OFS in July 2011 as the Assistant Director of Occupant Engagement.  She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) in 2005 and a MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) in 2011. While at HBS, Robyn was Section A’s Green Representative and Chair of the Social Enterprise Club’s Corporate Social Responsibility group.  Prior to HBS she was a Product Engineer at Procter and Gamble - Gillette and a Test Engineer at GKN Driveline.  While at GKN she completed her undergraduate thesis focused on converting metal components into thermoplastics and was awarded two patents.  While at Procter and Gamble she was active with the Green at Work team, Earth Day planning committee, and Sustainability Trainers, focused on changing the behavior of employees and promoting sustainability education. Robyn also worked for the CEO and CAO of TerraCycle, did project work for Indego Africa in Rwanda and is a StartingBloc Fellow. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, upcycling used furniture and reconnecting with family and friends back home in Michigan and Southern Ontario. To learn more about Robyn’s path to sustainability, visit the HBS Portrait Project at http://www.hbs.edu/mba/perspectives/PortraitProject/2011/TsukayamaRobyn.....

  5. Senior Coordinator, FAS Green Program

    Brandon Geller joined OFS in July 2008, taking over the role of Undergraduate Resource Efficiency Program Coordinator just after graduating from Harvard with a B.A. in Biochemistry. During his undergraduate career, he spent a majority of his time organizing big events and representing the student body for Pforzheimer House as the House Committee Co-Chair. However, he still found time to do scientific research, an endeavor that took him to both to Germany and the Dominican Republic. For his senior thesis, he generated genetic data and developed a novel evolutionary tree for the Longhorned family of beetles. Though always somewhat involved with REP as an undergrad, it wasn't until doing research for his thesis that his eyes became open to many environmental issues. Now he is excited to be sticking around Harvard and doing the two things he loves most- working with undergrads and reducing environmental impact!

  6. Senior Manager, FAS Green Program

    Gosia Sklodowska joined OFS in July 2005. She manages the FAS Green Program, developing strategies for greenhouse gas reductions through infrastructural upgrades and community engagement. The FAS Program team of 3 coordinators and more than 20 student interns runs  programs in lab,  office and residential buildings. Gosia has recently graduated with a masters degree from the Environmental Management Program at the Harvard Extension School, but her initial academic background is in education and sociology (MA in French, Warsaw University; MS in Sociology of Religion/Gender Studies, EHESS, Paris) When not at work, Gosia can be found hiking and camping in NE, or having coffee at Darwin's.

  7. Manager, Sustainability Communications

    Colin Durrant joined the Office of Sustainability and Harvard Public Affairs and Communications in July 2010. He has over a decade of experience in the non-profit and public sectors developing and implementing communications, public relations and community outreach initiatives. As Manager of Sustainability Communications he partners with Schools, academic, and administrative units across the University to coordinate communications and outreach related to ongoing sustainability efforts. He comes to Harvard from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation where he managed communications strategy and crisis communications, civic engagement, media relations, and new media projects. Prior to that he was Communications Director at the Conservation Law Foundation and served as Director of Communications Policy for State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios. When not working he can be found on the soccer pitch, on his bicycle or trying to find time to explore the mountains and hiking trails of New England.

  8. Coordinator, Law School

    Kate Cosgrove joined the Office for Sustainability in August 2010.  She grew up in Boston and received a BA in English from Harvard College in 2007.  Since graduation, she has taught English in China and worked in retail product management in Ohio.  While a product manager, she also volunteered as a sustainability team member, working on company-wide facilities efficiency updates and awareness and behavior-change campaigns. Kate is excited to be returning to her old stomping grounds in Cambridge.  At the Law School, she’ll be working on occupant engagement with the Facilities Team, Green Team, and Green Living Program. After work, you’ll find her baking, studying comic books, training for a marathon or planning her next trip to Southeast Asia.

  9. Coordinator, FAS Green Program

    Jamie Bemis joined the Office for Sustainability in September 2010 as the Program Coordinator for FAS Labs. Before joining OFS, Jamie worked for an MEP engineering firm designing HVAC systems for buildings, with a specific focus on lab environments. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. Jamie has had a longtime interest in sustainability, and conducted research as an undergraduate on both energy efficiency and renewable energy topics. As a recent graduate, she spent a summer interning at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO. In her free time, Jamie enjoys reading, running, studying foreign languages, relaxing at her lakehouse in NH, and visiting family.

  10. Manager, Sustainability Engagement

    Elaine Strunk joined the Office for Sustainability in October 2010. She comes to the team with over five years of experience engaging diverse populations in sustainability. Past projects include establishing a curriculum to engage inner city youth in environmental efforts and more recently working with a local hotel group to incorporate sustainability into their daily operations, corporate policies and work culture. As Sustainability Engagement Manager, Elaine is excited to be working campus-wide engaging students, staff, and faculty in Harvard’s sustainability goals. When not working Elaine can be found volunteering with Youth Enrichment Services, traveling, or on the mountain skiing.

  11. Coordinator, Business and Finance

    Jennifer Stacy joined OFS in October 2010 as the Business and Finance Coordinator. She received a B.A. in Environmental Science from Boston University in 2003 and a Masters of City Planning from Boston University in 2010. Jennifer comes from Boston University where she worked as Administrative Assistant at Boston University’s Center for Remote Sensing. In addition to managing the Center’s operations and grants, she assisted in special projects, including the 1001 Wells for Darfur campaign. During her time at Boston University, Jennifer also participated in many planning projects, including an internship with an alternative design firm and a research project investigating post-disaster policy options for Haiti. Prior to her work at Boston University, she worked for three years in industrial and construction sales in Southeastern Massachusetts.  Jennifer’s volunteer work includes assisting municipalities on planning projects and outreach work with Long Way Home. In her spare time, she can be found outside exploring, hiking, skiing or playing disc golf.

  12. Sustainability Engagement Program Manager, HUH and HRE

    Olivia Percy is the Sustainability Engagement Program Manager for Harvard University Housing and Harvard Real Estate. She has a strong background in sustainability-focused communication development, program implementation, and project management. Prior to joining the OFS team, Olivia was a Senior Sustainability Consultant at a Manhattan-based firm. She managed and directed an extensive portfolio of commercial real estate firms, television networks, city agencies, financial organizations, and educational institutions, toward improved environmental performance. Her expertise lies in the integration of sustainability throughout business processes and effective green messaging. Olivia is a LEED Accredited Professional with six project certifications under her belt, and in 2010, was chosen by the USGBC to be among the first round of professionals to earn the new credential, LEED AP Neighborhood Development. Additionally, she is OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 trained. Olivia holds a dual degree in Communication and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a post-graduate certificate from NYU in Construction Project Management.

  13. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Analytics Manager

    Geri Kantor joined the Office for Sustainability in December 2010 as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Analytics Manager. Geri comes to Harvard after a year and a half as the U.S. Sustainability Manager for a Netherlands-based not-for-profit organization, and three years in the sustainable investment field evaluating corporate sustainability performance for institutional investors with an emphasis on climate change. She is a published author on corporate climate change and energy efficiency performance and has earned certificates in Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Greenhouse Gas Offset Projects from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute. Geri has a Master of Environmental Management and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota.

  14. Coordinator, FAS Green Resource Efficiency Program

    Sam Houston joined OFS in July 2011 after graduating from Harvard with a B.A. in Environmental Science and Public Policy. As an undergraduate, Sam worked for the Resource Efficiency Program as a house representative for two years and a captain for one year.  Sam also served as chair of the Adams House Committee.  In this role, she planned house events—from weekly social gatherings to a Harry Potter –themed formal—and institutionalized green practices as the norm for such events.  Her more formative experience with environment and sustainability issues includes field work in Florida and the New England region developing ways to sustainably achieve the growth of existing urban areas. 

  15. Longwood Sustainability Program Manager

    Alicia Murchie is the Sustainability Program Manager for the Longwood campus of Harvard University.  Before joining OFS in November of 2011, she worked in research at MGH and Harvard with a focus on regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.  At Harvard, she participated in the design of new LEED certified lab spaces for SCRB and was active in greening the labs. Prior to her Boston tenure, she earned a B.A. degree in Biology from Mt. Holyoke College, where she established a campus beehive, acted as an Eco-Rep, and was an intern for the Everglades Rare Plant Restoration Project at Selby Botanical Gardens. She also contributed to the Geobacter Project at UMass, Amherst for a year before moving to Boston. Alicia has been an environmental advocate since childhood and has participated in or organized various events, groups, and projects beginning with her first Earth club in Elementary school.  She is enamored with ecological connectivity, enjoys gardening and ceramics, and aims to foster curiosity and an appreciation for learning wherever possible.

     

Green Building Services

  1. Senior Program Manager, Green Building Services

    Andrea Ruedy Trimble is the Senior Program Manager for Green Building Services in the Harvard University Campus Services Energy and Facilities Department. She joined Harvard in February 2006 and holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. Both of her thesis projects focused on recycling existing buildings and integrating them into the surrounding landscape to maximize and promote environmental responsibility. During school she held various advocacy internships, including studying residents' recycling practices to improve the Town of Blacksburg's programs, and preservation advocacy with New York's Municipal Art Society to encourage reusing buildings. Most recently, she worked as a preservation architect for a Boston architecture firm, and currently teaches drawing courses at local architecture schools.

  2. Assistant Program Manager, Green Building Services

    Kevin Bright joined Harvard Green Building Services in May of 2008. Currently, he splits his time between implementing energy conservation measures and guiding existing Harvard buildings through the LEED process. Kevin received a B.A. in Environmental Geology from Middlebury College in 2006 where he wrote a thesis investigating the source of arsenic contamination in private wells in Stowe, Vermont. In January of 2008, he received a M.A. in Energy and Environmental Analysis from Boston University. During the summers of his undergraduate and graduate years, Kevin worked in a variety of environmental fields ranging from an internship at The Nature Conservancy in Albany, NY, to working as a Field Engineer for a consulting firm that decontaminated a radioactive US Weapons Stockpile Facility in Fort Wayne, IN. Needless to say after a lot of traveling, he is excited to be living in Boston and working at Harvard with the Office for Sustainability.

  3. High Performance Building Specialist

    Joel McKellar joined Harvard Green Building Services in January 2011 and is excited to build on his previous efforts managing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project coordination and research efforts for LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD., an architecture firm headquartered in Charleston, SC. He holds a BA in Architecture from Clemson University. In his spare time he writes for RealLifeLEED.com, a free resource dedicated to providing tools and resources for those charged with designing and building LEED certified projects. Outside of the office he enjoys tennis, sailing and biking, and is very excited to explore the local mountains during the winter.

  4. Senior Project Coordinator

    Jessica Parks joined Harvard Green Building Services in September 2008. Jessica graduated from Bennington College in 2000 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Architecture and received her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan in 2003. Prior to working for Harvard, Jessica ran the Brownfield Redevelopment Program for Washtenaw County, MI, by facilitating the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites. Since returning to the East Coast, Jessica has been a consultant to the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, assisting with the management and implementation of their EPA grants.

  5. Senior Project Coordinator

    Jay Sisam joined Harvard Green Building Services in March 2010. He comes to Harvard with a background in implementing campus energy conservation measures, having previously worked as the Energy Manager for the University of Utah, where he helped to realize the first campus solar project. Jay received his undergraduate degree in Architecture in 2008 from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing his Masters in Architecture here in Boston. While working for institutional sustainability at Harvard, Jay is implementing sustainable design practices in his own residential development projects. He is currently designing a Net-Zero energy residence to be constructed at the Cape, focusing on the positive effects vernacular design can have on sustainability.

  6. Project Coordinator

    Ben Myers joined Harvard Green Building Services in June 2010. Ben has earned a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2005 and is currently a candidate for a M.A. in Urban Environmental Leadership at Lesley University in Cambridge. Ben’s professional experience is informed by the practice of construction management, where he has most recently been serving as project manager for commercial interior projects in the Boston metropolitan area. He has also performed the roles of field engineer and assistant project manager during the construction phases of large-scale multi-family housing developments. Ben enjoys the dynamics of working with project teams to resolve complex technical challenges. In his free time, Ben is a music producer, rugby player and coach.

  7. Project Coordinator

    Eric Potkin joined Green Building Services in September of 2010. As a Project Coordinator he works closely with Harvard Facilities performing energy audits of buildings and recommending energy efficient upgrades. Originally from Bethesda, MD, Eric now lives in Somerville, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University in 2010. While at Tufts Eric worked with Tufts Hybrid Racing to compete in an international collegiate competition to build a hybrid race car. Eric has worked with a startup company that manufactures modern, eco-friendly, prefabricated homes where he helped to implement new sustainable building products and methods. In his free time Eric enjoys playing keyboard and guitar in a rock band, fixing things around the house, and playing golf.

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