SPEAKERS & SESSIONS

Our session speakers and partner programs are collaborating to develop meaningful sessions that highlight projects related to climate mitigation and adaptation. Session descriptions will be accompanied by a pre-registration survey the week prior to the Conference. A big thanks to all of our speakers who are committed to creating a sustainable future!

CSC CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

• Jared Snyder -  Assistant Commissioner for Air Resources, Office of Climate and Energy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) 
• Kelly Tyler - Director of Communities and Local Government, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) 
• Mark Lowery - Climate Policy Analyst, Office of Climate Change, NYSDEC 
• David Church - Commissioner of Planning, Orange County

SESSION SPEAKERS

• Kick-starting Clean Energy PACE Projects in Your Community 
  • Elyssa Rothe, Directory of Municipal Membership, Energy Improvement Corporation
  • Beth Smayda, Councilwoman, City of White Plains
  • Kate Shcmidt, Land Use Planner and Sustainability Coordinator, Orange County
• Establishing Fleet Efficiency Policies and Programs
  • Adam Ruder, Clean Transportation, ChargeNY, NYSERDA

  • ​Amanda LaValle, Project Coordinator, Ulster County Department of the Environment

• Establishing Green Building Codes 
  • ​Brad Tito, Program Manager, Communities & Local Governments, NYSERDA
• Launching Community Solar Programs
  • ​Max Joel, Program Manager, Community Solar, NYSERDA
  • Elizabeth (Betta) Broad, Energy & Climate Program Manager, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Solarize Hudson Valley
  • Nina Orville, Project Manager, Solarize Westchester
• Developing Community Microgrids
  • ​John Saintcross, Assistant Director, NY Prize, NYSERDA
  • Pat Courtney Strong, Regional Outreach Contractor, Courtney Strong Inc.
  • Jason Valenstein, Lead Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Jordan Gerow, Energy and Climate Law Advisor, Pace University
• Climate Action Planning: Guides, Tools, and Templates
  • ​Ana Hagerup, Sustainability Planner, VHB Engineering, Surveying, and Landscape Architecture, P.C. 
  • Kari Hewitt, Director of Sustainability, VHB Engineering, Surveying, and Landscape Architecture, P.C. 
• Creating Climate Resilient Waterfronts
  • Kristen Marcel, Special Project Coordinator, Hudson River Estuary Program, NYSDEC
  • Sacha Spector, Director of Conservation Science, Scenic Hudson
  • ​Julie Noble, Climate Smart Community Coordinator, Parks and Recreation, City of Kingston

The CSC program is a unique state-local partnership between six New York State Agencies that jointly sponsored the CSC Program, including the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, and the Public Service Commission.