Meet Illinois Green’s 2023 Outstanding Volunteers
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Awards! These six volunteers have gone above and beyond in their work with Illinois Green. They will be receiving their awards in-person at the 2024 Annual Meeting on February 8th. Click here to register!
We asked each recipient to tell us a little bit about why they volunteer with Illinois Green, what they enjoy about participating in the community, and to share a volunteer highlight from 2023. Here's what they had to say:
Mohammad Abbasi
Senior Consultant, WSP
For the past two years, Mohammad has worked with staff and Board Members to develop Illinois Green’s ED&I Mentorship program, where Illinois Green members are matched with college students of color interested in a sustainability career. With over 30 students between the two cohorts, this has been an important program to build up the bench of future green building leaders and diversify the workforce. Mohammad also designed, moderated, and hosted our first hybrid event – Decarbonization Through People: Intersections of Sustainability and Wellness. Thank you Mohammad for your unwavering commitment to our community.
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
I enjoy being part of different communities and Illinois Green is by far my most favorite one by agenda, people, and the vision.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
Often time it’s easy to see the impact and the reward since our industry evolves so fast so when you do a volunteering activity, you see it’s impact sooner rather than later.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
Definitely the mentorship program and the Decarbonization through People panel!
Emerson Dority
Superindentent, Gilbane Building Co.
Emerson is a returning Green Schools Mentor who has gone above and beyond providing support to the Illinois Green Schools Project, inspiring multiple Gilbane team members to join him and participate in the program. Emerson holds the record for most in-person visits to his Green Schools Mentees; taking the time to meet with the students and lead assemblies at 4 different schools in Glenn Elyn’s District 41, to share information about water conservation and the local lead pipe replacement project. We are so grateful for Emerson’s enthusiasm and dedication to our program. Thank you, Emerson!
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
As a Builder myself, along with the concept and responsibility of building Green projects being one reason for why I volunteer with Illinois Green, another reason is that this platform allows additional support, awareness and exposure to young minds that as a parent myself appreciate and wish was available for myself at my younger age, and my own children at the time of their own developing in the K-12 learning environments. To have this program of invested and committed individuals that share their passion through this volunteering effort and vehicle of Illinois Green has so much value to Teachers, Students, Parents and so much more. To be a part of it is giving back what cannot be measured but is my hope that the value extends past the program for all involved and built environments yet to come.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
I thoroughly enjoy engaging with the young ones and gaining the insight from our future builders, teachers and leaders. The viewpoint from their lens is always the greatest combination of funny and smart, so much that I have no problems admitting that I am NOT smarter than a 5th Grader! They have some interesting solutions and even see some issues from an interesting perspective to solve as well. It is a joy all around.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
My volunteer highlight from 2023 was that my first year of involvement and introduction to Illinois Green was met with tumbleweeds and echo filled virtual rooms so to speak due to lack of participation and engagement from our selected school district, we just could not connect for whatever the reason. The time was just passing along, and we were getting so worried that we would have to just give up hope on the year….and then we got some support from Glen Ellyn District 41 Science and Innovation Coordinator, Nick Papineau and a couple of great Parent Volunteers, Jacquelyn Casazza and Karen Shea, and then we got more from the one school selected and then before it was over we were able to reach 4 schools at 3rd and 5th grade levels totaling close to 500 students! The coordination was effective and the participation was energetic, engaging and thrilling to see unfold right before our eyes! It was also so inspiring to have such a committed group from Team Gilbane to work with that did not give up and see the value of the time they shared for the results that we all shared so much joy in completing. The pictures of the water tower poster challenge submissions from the students were THE BEST!!! A bonus highlight was probably the day we came in for one presentation and it actually was the same day as one of the school spirit week dress up events, Hawaii Day, and Team Gilbane jumped right into character, even sporting some leis and snorkels, it was awesome!
Brianna Galvan
Commissioning & Energy Engineer, Baumann Consulting
In Brianna’s first year on the Auxiliary Board, she provided crucial support for the success of the 3rd Annual Race to Net Zero 5K. Her organizational and leadership skills have led her to be the Fundraising Chair for 2024. She is also a returning Green Schools Mentor, helping schools in Illinois accomplish amazing things like a shoreline restoration in Libertyville and streamlined waste management at a Chicago elementary school. We are so thankful for all the ways Brianna shares her time and expertise with our community.
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
I volunteer with Illinois Green in the hopes of making my local community a more sustainable and healthier place for all. Illinois Green has a great vision and strategic plans to get there. It is a pleasure to be a part of something bigger having such a positive impact in any way that I can.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
I enjoy volunteering with Illinois Green because I get to interact with other passionate, sustainability-focused individuals. Volunteering as a Green Schools Mentor, I have had the pleasure of seeing students’ excitement for sustainability. Their willingness to learn and work to make their schools and communities a better place is very rewarding. Volunteering on the Auxiliary board has helped foster many strong relationships with other young professionals.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
Volunteering with the Auxiliary board to put on our 3rd annual Race to Net Zero 5k & Fundraiser. Regardless of the heat, getting to work with the Association House of Chicago to raise $9,000 was worth it!
Also, working with Libertyville High School. Their proposal for the shoreline restoration project gave me hope for the future!
Ivy Klee
Auxiliary Board Member
In addition to being one of our most dedicated members, Ivy led the Auxiliary Board’s brand new policy committee. Ivy spearheaded this latest initiative to help engage our volunteers in advocacy work. She led her fellow members of the committee in the planning and execution of a tour of Oak Park’s new, net zero Community Recreation Center. Ivy and the committee coordinated with the project team, developed the event’s agenda, and sent numerous invites and follow ups. This hard work resulted in a highly successful event that helped educate policymakers from around the area about the benefits of net zero construction. Thank you, Ivy!
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
I volunteer with Illinois Green because this group of people is inspiring! The staff and the volunteers are wonderful people to work with and learn from. Illinois Green has given me the opportunity to become confident in my networking and professional development skills, and I get to participate in meaningful, fulfilling work with IGA.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
I enjoy learning about state-of-the-industry practices and credentials during the educational sessions. Events like the Sustainability Credential Soup Sessions every year are particularly fun.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
My volunteer highlight for 2023 was joining policymakers for a tour of the net zero Community Recreation Center in Oak Park. It was fantastic to talk with elected officials about the importance of these high performance buildings in communities.
Dan Moring
Project Manager, Slipstream
Dan has played a significant role in identifying and developing educational programs for Illinois Green through his years of commitment to our Programs Committee. His positive attitude, can-do spirit, and unflappable nature make him an invaluable asset to the committee and have resulted in his recent promotion to committee co-chair. In 2023 alone, he personally directed the creation and development of 2 programs: Leading The Charge: Policy and Design for EV Adoption and Constructing Connections: Developing Chicago’s Clean Energy Workforce. Combined, those programs reached an audience of 338 people, sharing important concepts for the future of sustainability in Illinois. Thank you, Dan!
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
To connect with smart, interesting, and friendly green building professionals who share a passion for making the world better through design.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
Nerding out while having fun with a purpose. Sharing and gaining perspectives on important issues from very thoughtful and talented professionals while building relationships.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
Touring the Inherent factory and hearing from the (badass) women collaborating to build homes, neighborhoods, and livelihoods!
Luke Rossi
Director, Modern Energy
In Luke’s second year on the Auxiliary Board, he led the Fundraising Committee in raising nearly $10,000 for the Illinois Green Schools Project. Luke is a true asset to the Auxiliary Board, effectively delegating work to make the 3rd Annual Race to Net Zero 5K the most successful and highest attended ever, with over 70 runners turning out to Humboldt Park last July. We look forward to watching Luke support our mission as the Professional Development Chair of the Auxiliary Board in 2024. Thank you Luke, for your commitment to supporting Illinois Green’s mission!
Q&A
Why do you volunteer with Illinois Green?
Climate change is a global concern that requires immense local action. And in Chicago, buildings alone account for 70% of citywide carbon emissions. Volunteering with Illinois Green enables me to actively address these emissions by supporting an organization committed to a more sustainable built environment across the state.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with Illinois Green?
Illinois Green rightly acknowledges that building decarbonization is inherently an interdisciplinary effort. Progress is hindered when sustainability professionals from diverse backgrounds cannot seamlessly partner and collaborate. Illinois Green addresses this challenge by fostering a community of diverse local professionals united by common sustainability objectives. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with this community, where I've connected with individuals possessing expertise very different from mine yet still sharing a mutual passion for sustainability in our city.
What is your volunteer highlight from 2023?
Through my participation on the Auxiliary Board, I had the opportunity to help organize the Race to Net Zero 5K & Fundraiser this past summer. Not only was the event successful in achieving our fundraising objectives, but the day itself ended up being a wonderful way to spend time with fellow IGA members and other sustainability-minded people in our community.