Diana McCarthy-Bercury
Diana is an experienced manager of energy efficiency and renewable energy development projects. She has helped develop nationally recognized energy programming for municipalities, K-12 classrooms, and technical workforce development programs. In 2016, Diana completed an advanced degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University (New York).
Diana authored a paper for the 2016 ACEEE Summer Study Program titled, “Advancing to Sustainable Energy Communities” and her programs were the recipient of the 2016 & 2017 US EPA Energy Star Partner of the Year awards.
Areas of expertise:
Strategic energy management
Corporate sustainability strategies for employee/community engagement
Green building design and construction management
Workforce development
Tiffany Aquino
Tiffany has extensive experience leading innovation, strategic initiatives, business operations, and product development across startups, growth stage acquisitions, global nonprofits and corporations. She specializes in innovating and scaling solutions for social impact. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Drexel University (Philadelphia), a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), as well as Certificates in Venture Capital (Wharton) and Value-based Healthcare (Harvard).
Areas of expertise:
Product/program design, development, and operations
Strategic planning
Innovation and portfolio management
Business operations
Kiana Solomon
Kiana graduated from Spelman College (Atlanta, GA) in 2014, where she received her bachelor of arts in Psychology with a concentration in Pre-Medical studies. She further earned her MPH from the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health (Philadelphia, PA) with a concentration in Health Management and Policy and Maternal and Child Health in June 2016. Kiana's research and professional interests include all things maternal and child health and health equity. She has since developed her skillset in the field of project management.
Areas of expertise:
Project management
Program design
Maternal and child health equity
Celeste Frazier-Barthel
Cèleste holds a PhD in Science Education from Oregon State University where her STEAM research was supported by the STEM Research Center, Free Choice Learning Lab, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Sea Grant, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She also holds a Master Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, a Master of Science in Geography (Oregon State University), a Master of Art of Leadership in Education (Notre Dame University of Maryland), and a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Towson University). She has over 30 years of experience in STEAM research and teaching environments crossing boundaries between formal, informal and special education with business, industry and governmental partners. Her work spans from K-16 through the graduate level and includes the public sector. Cèleste’s true passion is working with people and supporting efforts to make sustainable educational opportunities more accessible and inclusive for all learners.
Areas of expertise:
STEAM Educational Leadership
Curriculum Innovation, Development and Adoption
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging
Renewable energy and Sustainability Education
STEAM Community Outreach and Engagement
Special Education and Neurodiverse Learners
Collaborative Problem Solving
Applied Research
Samantha Trvalik
Samantha graduated as a Baird Sustainability Fellow from Dickinson College with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Political Science. She has a strong background in program design and management, curriculum development and strategic marketing. Samantha is well-versed in research and communications pertaining to sustainable development, energy efficiency and renewables, home performance, and public health.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Program management and growth
Curriculum development
Technical writing & research
Graphic design
Vivian Meleka
Vivian graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Political Science and later moved to Cairo, Egypt to complete a Master’s in International Human Rights Law. She is an experienced international development and human rights professional, having worked with local, regional, and international NGOs in impoverished communities and with marginalized groups, designing and developing projects in sustainable community development, engagement, and initiatives.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Proposal development and writing
Project design and development
Donor relations
Ruby Rañoa
Ruby has a diverse professional background in technical writing, scientific reporting, research, and communication, with expertise in corporate sustainability and watershed management. They earned their Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from Seattle University in Seattle, WA. Their paper, "Future Peak Streamflow Analytics for the Skagit River," was recently published in a research journal in 2022. This research delves into the critical intersections of changing hydrology and hydroelectric dam management in western Washington, offering valuable insights into the incoming challenges posed by climate change.
Areas of Expertise:
Technical writing
Sustainability communication
Scientific research & data analysis
Alyx Prinz
Alyx has worked in the marketing field for 10+ years with experience in digital marketing, rebranding initiatives, product launches, and event planning and management. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising and Promotions from Pace University (NYC).
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Project management
Account management
Digital marketing
Event marketing
Walt Gayeski
Walt spent the first 1o year of his career in the building performance industry as a building analyst and envelope professional. He later consulted as a home energy rater and brings his experience to EFG as a technical instructor. His current certifications include: RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) Home Energy Rater, ENERGYSTAR Multifamily New Construction Rater, EPA Indoor airPlus, DOE Zero Energy Ready, PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) Verifier, and NGBS (National Green Building Standards) Master Verifier.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Building Performance & Weatherization
Home Energy Rating
Technical Training & Instruction
Sonia Cruz
Sonia Cruz entered the home energy services industry in 2013 as a Home Performance Specialist, leading a team of trained professionals conducting home energy assessments. She has an extensive knowledge of the home performance space and is certified as a BPI Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, and Healthy Homes Evaluator/Practitioner; a DOE Qualified Assessor; and holds US EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting and OSHA-10 certifications.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Building Performance
Building Science Instruction
Bilingual (Spanish) Instruction
Melissa Towle
Melissa holds a B.S. in Interior Design from Drexel University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She brings diverse experience from multiple architecture firms. With expertise in sustainable design, ADA accessibility, space planning, and product selection, she collaborates on projects spanning institutional, corporate, hospitality, residential, and nonprofit sectors. Notable accomplishments include facilitating LEED certification, revitalizing historic structures, and creating vibrant and purposeful learning spaces for students.
Areas of Expertise:
Green building design and documentation
Construction administration
Multi sector stakeholder engagement
Project Management
Jake Perrin
Jake graduated from Gonzaga University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a masters degree in business administration. He is experienced in research pertaining to sustainability in the built environment, weatherization, and workforce development programs.
Areas of Expertise:
Research
Data procurement & analysis
Risk management
Steven Dunkum
Steven graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Environmental Geoscience and Math. He is passionate about environmental science, climate change, and sustainability. He has a strong background in education, especially at the high school level. He taught both high school math and science for seven years. He has travelled extensively throughout the US and Canada (and also New Zealand), and has a love for nature and the outdoors.
Areas of Expertise:
Environmental Science and Climate Change
Teaching
Communication
Eric Witte
Eric graduated from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both history and geography. He also earned his M.A. in history from UCCS. His research focuses on the relationship between the environment and social hierarchy with an emphasis on river systems, irrigation, and labor. Eric currently works as an adjunct faculty member at Worcester State University with the history department and has years of classroom experience.
Areas of Expertise:
Political ecology/environmental history
Teaching
Research and writing
Advisory Board
Michele J. Aquino
Michele graduated from Drexel University (Philadelphia) with a degree in Food Science. After serving as a sustainable agriculture extension volunteer in the US Peace Corps in Nicaragua, Michele pursued a career with multinational food manufacturing companies (Pinnacle, Danone, & General Mills). In 2015, he completed an advanced degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University (New York). Michele is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Affairs at American University (DC), where he works with the Center for Environmental Policy. Michele is also a certified GRI practitioner.
Michele recently contributed a chapter on food, agriculture, and nutrition for the the textbook Foundations for Global Health Practice edited by Lori DiPrete Brown (Wiley, 2018). He also authored a peer-reviewed journal article on equitable replacement of lead service lines in DC (Sustainability, 2022), https://t.co/VrYBkYmToY [open access].
David McSweeney
David has extensive experience in the financial services industry and has worked in the United States and Europe covering utilities, renewable energy and infrastructure. David holds a degree in Economics from University College Cork (Ireland) and an MPA in Environmental Policy and Sustainability from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (New York).
Areas of expertise:
Policy analysis
Utilities sector
Infrastructure
Area’s of expertise:
Strategic energy management
Corporate sustainability strategies for employee/community engagement
Green building design and construction management
Workforce developement