Office for Sustainability
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sustainability Manager
Jennifer Stacy joined OFS in October 2010. She received a B.A. in Environmental Science from Boston University in 2003, a Master of City Planning from Boston University in 2010 and is currently pursuing a Master of Education at the Harvard Graduate School for Education. Prior to OFS, Jennifer worked as Administrative Manager 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. In her spare time, she can be found outside hiking with her dog or skiing.
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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.
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Energy and Greenhouse Gas 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.
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Senior Coordinator, FAS Green Program
Brandon Geller joined OFS in July 2008, just after graduating from the college with an A.B. in Biochemistry. His first three years at OFS were spent focusing on the undergraduate outreach program, but has since moved on to work with the offices, classrooms and labs at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His role is split between working with staff and researchers to make environmentally conscious decisions in their practices, and working with building managers to operate their buildings more efficiently through better practices and implementing new technologies. He has an additional role at Harvard, serving as Freshmen Proctor, where he lives in Harvard Yard, providing academic and general life advice for first year students. The multitude of experiences he’s had here have made him realize his love of Universities, and have led to his current pursuit an Ed.M. in Higher Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. When he’s not digging through recycling bins or advising students, you’ll find him either serving as a trustee of the Awesome Foundation or trying to create new ice cream flavors.
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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.
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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.
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Digital Communications Specialist
Katie Hammer joined the Office for Sustainability in November 2012. She is a graduate of Wheaton College (Norton, MA) with a bachelor’s degree in English. As Digital Communications Specialist she supports the online resources and communications for Harvard's university-wide sustainability efforts including green.harvard.edu, the Green Building Resource website, and the sustainability social media accounts. She brings a wealth of relevant experience from her previous role as Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum where she helped launch a new website and served as website content manager, designed and managed email broadcast campaigns, and enhanced deCordova's digital media presence. When not working Katie enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family in her home state of New Hampshire.
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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.
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Program Manager, Law School
Anne Sargent joined the Office for Sustainability in August 2012. She received her B.A. in English from Cornell University and is currently pursuing her Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. With over six years of experience in working with international students, she is passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding and learning, on the local as well as the global level. While teaching English overseas—first in Argentina and then in Italy as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant—Anne grew to value the role of community in sustainable living and is very glad to be a part of the Harvard Law School community. She comes to OFS from the Harvard-affiliated non-profit, LASPAU, where she co-founded the organization’s Green Team and through which she was an active member in the Green Team Leaders Network. Anne felt honored to receive an Individual Achievement Award at the 2011 Green Carpet Awards for co-leading her Green Team to achieve Leaf 1 and 2 Certification within the team’s first year of participating in the Green Office Program. When not working or studying, Anne enjoys traveling, biking, walking along the Charles River, practicing yoga and spending time with friends and family.
Green Building Services
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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.
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Assistant Program Manager, Green Building Services
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.
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Project Coordinator, Green Building Services
Michael Swenson joined Harvard Green Building Services in September 2012 soon after he graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. During his time at Wentworth, he held internships at Pfizer, BR+A Consulting Engineers, and the Green Engineer. The Green Engineer staff helped spark in him a profound personal interest in sustainable design. He’s excited to continue this passion for sustainability here at Green Building Services. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys running, cooking, and playing and coaching lacrosse.
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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.
