SUMA Net Impact (SUMANI) is partnering with YPE NYC, The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Comrie Enterprise, BlocPower, RSTR Media, and Kinetic Communities Consulting for its biannual panel event! Join us on Thursday, November 12th at 8:15pm for a discussion that highlights the multifaceted world of sustainability consulting.
This panel will showcase prominent consultants who have successfully managed projects that combat the negative effects of climate change, improve the lives of BIPOC groups suffering from numerous injustices, and stimulate economic growth.
Come hear our speakers' unique experiences and learn their distinctive tactics to best mitigate environmental issues and uplift marginalized communities, while still making a significant return on investment.
Featuring:
Marvin Church: Founding Member, Comrie Enterprises
Comrie Enterprises, LLC offers business consulting services in real estate, energy, transportation, and health care. Their approach is "social entrepreneurial" meaning that their services provide social, environmental, and cultural solutions. Mr. Church has managed more than a $66M annual budget for mostly residential development as Regional Director of the agency formerly known as the New York State Division and Community Renewal, now Housing and Community Renewal in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau and Rockland Counties. In addition, he also managed the Weatherization Programs in these counties.
Keith Kinch: Co-Founder and General Manager at BlocPower
BlocPower is a Brooklyn-based energy technology startup rapidly greening American cities. Since its founding in 2012, the company has completed energy projects in nearly 1,000 buildings and delivers results ahead of schedule and under budget. BlocPower utilizes its proprietary software for analysis, leasing, project management, and monitoring of urban clean energy projects and its customers are saving 20-40% on their energy bills each year. Keith Kinch serves as co-founder and General Manager at BlocPower. Keith received his undergraduate degree at John Jay College and his graduate degree at American International University. He spent eight years as a community organizer, and two years as Deputy Field Director in New York State for the Democratic National Committee under President Obama’s grassroots arm Organizing for America. He helped advance key pieces of legislation such as the Affordable Healthcare Act. In the summer of 2016 Keith led the Solarize Brownsville campaign where more than 200 homes were outfitted with solar panels. Solarize Brownsville brought together community partners, local residents, and the selected solar installer to successfully demonstrate that solar power can make an impact in low-to moderate-income communities. It still stands as one of the largest solar projects in New York State history. In 2017 Keith led the partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and Department of Housing Preservation and Development on Community Retrofit NYC program to produce over 500 retrofits for 5-50 unit multi-family buildings in Con Edison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management zone. The project has won a national award, and was completed one year ahead of schedule. Keith currently resides with his wife and two children in Brooklyn.
(Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube)
Sara Miltenberger: Owner of RSTR Media and Strategy LLC
Sara Miltenberger has made a name for herself in the sustainability world of consumer-packaged goods for the past five years. A Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar and natural entrepreneur, she owns RSTR Media & Strategy LLC, a sustainability consulting business that offers a full suite of business services such as material assessments, report writing, life cycle analysis, and green certification applications. Sara has also worked for Tesla’s EHS team and managed new initiatives for environmental safety programs and built a software platform to capture OSHA records for company compliance. Prior to Tesla, she founded and ran global sustainability initiatives at Delos Living LLC and worked mainly on AI product development, supply chain and strategy. She graduated from Columbia University in May 2019 with a M.S. in Sustainability Management and was awarded the Scholar Practitioner Award by Columbia University in 2018.
(Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram)
Daphany Rose Sanchez: Executive Director at Kinetic Communities Consulting
Daphany Rose Sanchez is a New York native who has been passionately working as an energy equity advocate for twelve years. Daphany founded Kinetic Communities in 2017. She launched her organization when she saw the representation gap in the energy sector and knew something had to be done. Kinetic Communities is a New York certified social enterprise Benefit Corporation which advocates and implements strategic energy equity market transformations for diverse New York communities. Kinetic Communities has received recognition for their vital work, ensuring front line communities and people of color prioritize a just clean energy transition.
(Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram)
