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Meet the Summit Speakers
Education Session:
Environmental Literacy – The Key to Inspired, Authentic, and Rigorous Learning
Dr. Timothy Baird is a nationally recognized speaker and author on school leadership, sustainability, and innovation. He works with the Green Schools National Network supporting school districts on school sustainability. He also serves as the co-chair of the District Leaders’ Working Group for The California Environmental Literacy Initiative, and as a board member for the Classroom of the Future Foundation. He earned his Ed. D. from the University of Southern California and his MA, administrative credential, teaching credential, and BA from California State University, Fullerton.
Dr. Baird has served for 39 years as a public-school educator. He has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent during his career. He recently retired as superintendent of the Encinitas
Union School District. During his 10-year tenure in Encinitas, the district earned the California and U.S. Green Ribbon District distinction in 2014. Under Dr. Baird’s leadership, EUSD built Farm Lab, a 10-acre organic farm and student research and design center, that provides organic food to the food service program and functions as a research and design facility for all
district students. The Encinitas Union School District has also earned numerous awards for sustainability, educational programs, technology use, student
performance, and innovation.
Education Sessions:
What’s New for 2025 in the Energy Code
Embodied Carbon and CALGreen
Nick Brown is President of Build Smart Group, an independent energy consultancy focused on California’s residential and nonresidential energy modeling, energy code, and building performance. He supports builders and architects in creating energy-efficient living and commercial spaces. Nick is a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) for residential and an Associate Energy Analyst (AEA) for nonresidential projects, accredited by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC). As a Subject Matter Expert on the Energy Code Ace statewide education team, he teaches classes for Southern California Edison on topics including Net Zero Design, All-Electric Homes, Heat Pumps, and PV and Battery Systems. Currently, Nick is involved with a CalSEED team researching phase change material applications in HVAC systems. He has been a member of CABEC’s Board of Directors since 2018.
Nick holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan. His hands-on experience includes a deep energy retrofit of his own home in 2014 and an All-Electric Net Zero Carbon ADU built in 2022, which serves as a living lab. Before founding Build Smart, he was President of Merlex Stucco, a $15 million manufacturer in Southern California for 15 years.
Education Session:
Exploring Subsurface Irrigation for Lawns, Shrubs & Tree’s
Horticulturalist Nick Federoff has been a staple in green communications since 1986. He travels the country addressing contemporary environmental issues for the trades and consumers alike. Since 1988 he’s been hosting a weekly 2-hour syndicated radio show heard throughout the country along with a daily vignette. He is entering his 27th season his award winning weekly television show, Things Green, that airs on PBS|KLCS TV Saturday mornings at 9AM and has produced/featured in over 650 “In the Garden” segments for CBS|KCAL 9 News, Los Angeles. In addition he has was the first communicator induced into the Green Industry Hall of Fame.
Education Session:
School Greening through the Safe Clean Water Program
Dr. Dustin L. Herrmann is currently the Principal Scientist and Director of the Research Program at the Southern California nonprofit organization TreePeople. His 15+ years of research is on many facets of social-ecological systems grounded in an educational training in urban ecosystem ecology. In his role at TreePeople, he leads projects that incorporate this scientific expertise with community engagement, environmental education, and environmental planning. The objective of the work is to improve social equity and climate resilience in greater Los Angeles through nature-based solutions. He brings specialized knowledge in field and data science around understanding urban ecosystems and extensive experience in multi-disciplinary and cross-organizational collaborations.
Education Session:
Growing Minds, Greener Futures: Integrating SEL and Environmental Literacy through Nature-Based Learning
Megan Humphreys, LCSW, PPSC is a skilled mental health professional with a decade of experience in the educational field. Her expertise in child and adolescent mental health, combined with her understanding of the educational landscape, empowers her to guide schools in creating nurturing and supportive learning environments. Megan’s passion for the intersection of mental health and nature has led her to specialize in implementing effective nature-based interventions, providing students with opportunities to connect with the natural world and improve their overall well-being.
Education Session:
Creating Sustainability: From Initial Design, to Implementation, to Next Steps
Dr. Amanda Sobremesana is an accomplished educational professional with an extensive background in K-12 education, Higher Education, and Adult Learning. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sobremesana has held various pivotal roles including teacher, curriculum specialist, K-12 district office math administrator, and preschool-8th grade principal. She currently serves as an elementary principal in Fullerton and supervisor for student teachers at Western Governors University.
During her tenure as a principal for an urban district in LA County, Dr. Sobremesana showcased her innovative leadership by spearheading transformative initiatives. She established a pioneering LEGO Robotics Lab for students in
grades K-2, successfully implemented Project Lead the Way for students in grades 3-5, and designed an exceptional Middle School ESports and Computer Science Pathway.
Recognized for her exceptional work in social-emotional support for students, Dr. Sobremesana and her dedicated staff were honored with the prestigious 2022 California Pivotal Practice award. Furthermore, she was nominated for Administrator of the Year by the Black Student Achievement Department in her previous district, reflecting her unwavering commitment to equity and social
justice for all student subgroups.
Education Session:
Reusables in the Cafeteria: A School District’s Journey to Zero Waste
Stephanie Willits is the Recycling Coordinator for the Fremont Unified School District of California. She has been with the district for nine years managing their solid waste and sustainability programs. Her unique role is in direct partnership with the City of Fremont and allows for collaboration on various sustainability programs across the district departments that benefit the city’s Climate Action Plan goals. She is also a participant on the district’s Wellness Committee, CLEEN (Climate Literacy and Environmental Education Network) and the Garden Network. Previously, she was the Recycling Coordinator for Republic Services of Alameda County for eight years managing the commercial organics, multi-family and FUSD programs. She is a UC Santa Cruz alumna with a bachelor’s in environmental studies. Her love for the environment and all things sustainable stems from her childhood memories collecting bottles and cans with her grandparents to recycle at the Tri-Ced Community Recycling Center in Union City, California.
Education Sessions:
Living Labs of Tomorrow: Pioneering Net Zero in Education
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS): Meeting the Challenge of Infrastructure Development
Yash Patel serves as the Associate Director of Facilities, Planning, Sustainability & Construction at SBCCD. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis on energy systems. Yash has steered the district towards the development of sustainability plan and zero-net-energy master plan, while driving innovation in SBCCD’s bond projects. His unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovative practices has not only earned the district widespread recognition but has also significantly transformed its environmental impact.
Updated Daily | Check back as we add more speaker details!