Staff

Chris is the CEO of Urban Green Council, where he leads the organization’s work to advance energy efficiency and building decarbonization in New York City, New York State and beyond. Before becoming CEO, he spent a decade at Urban Green, most recently as Senior Director of Research and Policy, directing data analysis, clean tech research, policy development, and advocacy at the city and state levels. Chris has served on many advisory bodies, including as a mayoral appointee to NYC’s 26-member Sustainability Advisory Board and Mayor Mamdani’s transition committee on climate. Earlier in his career, he practiced law at Shearman & Sterling LLP and worked on clean energy policy at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from McGill University and a Master of Environmental Management, with a specialization in energy systems, from the Yale School of the Environment.

Juliana assists the education department at Urban Green, focusing primarily on outreach and delivery. Prior to Urban Green, she worked as an Animation Teaching Artist and Program Coordinator at non profits and museums across New York City, including the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and Art on the Block NYC. Juliana holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Kenyon College.

Colleen leads the outreach and delivery of Urban Green Council’s industry-leading trainings, including New York energy code training, specialized heat pump courses, and our flagship training: GPRO (Green Professional) for building professionals nationwide. Colleen holds a B.A. in Communication and Culture with a minor in Environmental Studies from Fordham University, was a 2024 Fellow with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at NYU Wagner.

Casey supports fundraising efforts at Urban Green including donor outreach and cultivation as well as coordination and execution of fundraising events. She previously worked for CUNY Building Performance Lab, an organization working to advance energy-efficient building practices through research, outreach, and training. Casey holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Hobart & William Smith Colleges and a Master’s in Urban and Sustainable Development from Baruch College.

Laura is responsible for managing the communications processes at Urban Green, including graphic design, strategic communications and digital marketing. Her professional experience spans across the social services, arts, publishing, and startup sectors, most recently having worked with The Fortune Society, NYC’s largest reentry organization. Laura holds a B.A in Design from Universidad de Los Andes, and a M.F.A in Design for Social Innovation from School of Visual Arts (SVA). She also teaches at SVA.

Aaron works with Urban Green’s research team to conduct data analysis and research on building sustainability. Previously, Aaron worked at an environmental non-profit, Ecology Action, doing research and community outreach around transportation policy. He has a double major in Environmental Studies and Spanish from University of California, Santa Cruz.

Casey directs Operations at Urban Green, including HR, finances, and general administration. Prior to Urban Green, Casey worked at Bike & Build and Habitat for Humanity, two nonprofits working to address the affordable housing crisis.  Casey holds a B.A. in Film & Television Production from Emerson College and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University.

Becca supports Urban Green’s flagship education programs by developing curriculum to teach architects, engineers, construction workers and building operators the latest in green building practices. Prior to joining Urban Green, Becca worked at Partnerships for Parks training grassroots volunteers across NYC to advocate and care for their local parks and greenspaces. Becca holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver, a B.A. in Environmental Policy from Fordham University, and was a 2023 Fellow with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute.

Panayiota supports the Education team at Urban Green with project management for the many moving parts from curriculum development to delivery. She has nearly a decade of experience in non-profit development and management and previously worked for LGBTQ+ anti-hate violence, environmental justice, and workers’ rights organizations. She holds a BA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in energy and sustainability.

Danielle is responsible for advocacy, analysis and collaboration on Urban Green’s policy initiatives in New York City and State. She previously worked at the Center for Climate Systems Research at Columbia University’s Earth Institute researching and communicating local climate risk information for stakeholders in global cities and ecosystems, and served as project manager for the Third New York City Panel on Climate Change Report. Danielle also worked for nonprofits in Buffalo on environmental education and advocacy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo.

Sheena leads the communications processes at Urban Green, overseeing messaging, graphic design, online communications and public relations. She comes to Urban Green with extensive environmental and nonprofit experience, having previously worked at Wildlife Alliance, Clean Air Force of Central Texas and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Sheena holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego.

Miranda manages Urban Green’s policy advocacy, analysis, and stakeholder engagement initiatives with a focus on advancing building decarbonization in New York City. She previously served as senior staff in the Office of U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko, where she authored and advised on legislation related to clean energy, transportation, and economic development. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College and a Master’s of Environmental Management with a specialization in energy from the Yale School of the Environment.

John assists the education department at Urban Green, maintaining the online education portal and designing engaging curriculum and marketing materials. Prior to Urban Green, he did freelance work, researching campus culture and creating engaging print & digital campaigns for the Department of Student Wellness to educate college students on how they can promote healthy masculinity and prevent sexual violence. John holds a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from St. John’s University.

Chitra supports with operations at Urban Green and helps with HR, finance, and IT initiatives as well as with the intern program and general administration. Prior to Urban Green, she worked in program management and curation in film and the arts. She holds a Master’s in Film Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Environmental Challenges from the University of Edinburgh.

Adam is responsible for conducting data analysis and research into sustainability topics. Prior to Urban Green, Adam worked at a non-profit healthcare company that was dedicated to using the Affordable Care Act to expand access to services and lower the cost of healthcare in New Mexico. Adam hold a B.S in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Oregon and a M.A in Economics from the New School for Social Research.

Jada coordinates the communications strategy at Urban Green, with a focus on website content, the weekly newsletter, and social media. Prior, she assisted with press communications at VOCAL-NY, a non-profit organization that builds power in low-income communities. Jada holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies from Hunter College.