To view PPT presentations, click on highlighted speaker names below.
The Massachusetts Green Careers Conference connects stakeholders from education, business, government and nonprofits; green-career-ready candidates; and learners to advance workforce and sustainable development.
SPONSORS
Green Workforce Training
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Gold)
EXHIBITORS
Our exhibitors offer career resources and jobs. Companies were accepting resumes for more than 175 jobs.
Antioch University Transformative Education
Ameresco Leading the Energy Movement
Boston Architectural College The Sustainable Design Institute
Clark University International Development, Community, Environment
The Climate Monologues Arts-Based Environmental Education
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design
Co-op Power A Consumer-owned Sustainable Energy Cooperative
DREAM Collaborative Imaginative Green Building Design & Urban Renewal
Green Planning and Coaching Career Development Assistance
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Employment, Internships, Recruiting for Diversity
New England Clean Energy Delivering Solar – The Better Alternative
Nexamp Solar Energy Solutions
Next Step Living Home Energy Saving Solutions
Planet Aid For the Environment, For People
Recharged Solutions Internet Marketing Solutions
RISE Engineering Meeting a Need for Greater Energy Efficiency
Solectria Renewables Manufacturer of Grid-Tied PV Inverters
SunRun Home Solar Lease & Installation Company
UMass Boston School for the Environment
Weston and Sampson Environmental Infrastructure Consultants
Green Careers Matter!
Make a world of difference by making a difference in the world.
COMPLETE PROGRAM
8am – 4pm REGISTRATION, EXHIBITS, NETWORKING, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:30 – 9:15 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Leaders to Highlight Jobs in “Clean, Green and Blue” State Economy
Keynote speakers will highlight the growing number of employers and jobs in the state’s expanding clean energy, water technology, and marine-related industries.
Carolyn A. Kirk Deputy Secretary, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development; Vice Chair and Executive Secretary, The Seaport Economic Council, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Jeremy McDiarmid Senior Director for Innovation and Industry Support, MA Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Kevin Doyle (Moderator) Environmental workforce consultant and researcher
Opening Song: “Blue and Green”
Sharon Abreu Executive Director, Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education
Michael Hurwicz President, Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education
9:30 – 10:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
1
Your Green Career Plan
Whether working for others or yourself, learn practical approaches to prepare your next career steps. Career development strategies, communicating with confidence, and pay equity really matter.
Amanda Peters Career Coach, Harvard Kennedy School Your Career Plan
Bill Bean President, Green Planning & Coaching
Michelle Waters-Ekanem Director of Diversity, Department of Environmental Protection
2
The Growing Clean Energy Sector
The growing Massachusetts clean energy sector is a $10 billion industry and 2.5% of the gross state product. Job growth has been 50+% since 2010 and continues to rise.
Kevin Doyle (moderator) Principal, Green Economy; Workforce Co-chair, New England Clean Energy Council
Tamika Jacques, Ed.D. Director of Workforce Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Phil Jordan Vice President, BW Research; Author, Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report
3
Multi-Modal Transportation
Learn about the Massachusetts Department of Transportation GreenDOT sustainability initiative, and research regarding younger and older generations seeking mobility alternatives. Hear about careers in transportation planning and management.
Jules Williams GreenDOT, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Kirstie Pecci Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group
4
The Media and Sustainability
Hear from career professionals about people they interact with, the power of the media, online messaging, and cultural trends.
Beth Daley Senior Investigative Reporter and Trainer, New England Center for Investigative Reporting
Joanna Detz Co-Founder, Executive Director, EcoRI News
11:00 – 12:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
5
From College to Your Career
College representatives describe programs and career services including internships, co-ops, and job placement.
Representatives from four colleges and universities: Antioch University, Boston Architectural College, Clark University, The Conway School
6
Water Quality: The Right to Clean Water
The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. Today water quality industry professionals manage our community water and wastewater infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology. Learn about the many career opportunities.
Ray Willis President Elect, New England Water Environment Association; President, OnSite Engineering; Past President, MA Water Pollution Control Association
Madeline Typadis-Snow Author of “Promoting Entry to Career Pathways in the Drinking and Wastewater Sector”
7
Green Building Careers
In the United States more than 3.6 billion square feet of building space is LEED-certified. About 45% of new nonresidential construction will be green in 2015; this is a $120-$145 billion opportunity for green building professionals.
Jenna Ide Director, Energy and Sustainability, Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)
Steven Burke Emerging Professionals, USGBC of Massachusetts; Sustainability Coordinator, SMMA
8
Climate Change and Professional Development
Career experts describe work, education, and communication about extreme weather, rising seas, environmental degradation, and stewardship.
Lindsay Jordan Visitor Education Specialist; Study Circle Facilitator for National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation
Wendy Bell Minister, First Parish, Malden; doctoral student on the religious response to climate change
noon – 1:00 SPECIAL PROGRAM, LUNCH, EXHIBITS, NETWORKING
Climate Monologues
Singer and songwriter, Sharon Abreu, who provides arts-based environmental education, will honor us with a special program during lunch. Sharon’s songs will fill your heart and feed your soul. Get a glimpse of Sharon’s amazing talent here:
Mary and Julia Wangari Tomorrow’s Children
Sharon Abreu Executive Director, Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education
1:00 – 2:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
9
Help Wanted: See Who’s Hiring
Human Resource Directors describe their hiring processes, current job openings, and future prospects.
Representatives from seven companies: Ameresco, Co-op Power, New England Clean Energy, Nexamp, Next Step Living, RISE Engineering, Solectria Renewables
10
Sustainability Management
Sustainability practices are increasing in communities, campuses, and companies. Hear from professionals with real-world experience in sustainability management.
Debra Shepard Principal, Riverstone Sustainability
Virginia LeClair Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, Town of Dedham
11
Green Infrastructure Careers
Towns, cities, and private landowners around the nation are working to expand and improve their urban forests, greenways, parks, wetlands and other “urban green infrastructure.” Come and learn about the professions and trades involved in this exciting work.
Kevin Doyle (Moderator) Lead Researcher, NatureWORKS National Urban Green Infrastructure Workforce Study
Robert LeBlanc President, Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association
12
Pollution Prevention and Health
Rachel Carson’s legacy continues with the groundbreaking research of Silent Spring Institute scientists and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission to protect human health and the environment.
Ellie Goldberg (Introduction) Environmental Health & Education Advocate, Healthy-Kids.Info
Kathryn Rodgers Senior Scientist, Silent Spring Institute
Alice Kaufman Manager, Operations; Regional Sustainability Officer, EPA
2:30 – 3:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
13
Green Economic Development
Government and local business partnerships create jobs and improve environmental and public health.
Joe Bevilacqua President/CEO, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chairman, MA Workforce Investment Board; Chairman of the Board, MA Economic Development Council
Michael Bevilacqua Assistant Vice President, Economic Development Program Coordinator, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
14
Zero Waste
Reducing consumption, turning organics into compost, recycling, creating jobs, saving money, and reducing pollution brings community members together, and beautifies the community.
Christin Walth Project Manager, Toward Zero Waste Newburyport
Grant Berman Founder, Dirty Boys Composting
15
Sustainable Food Chains and Sustainable Living
Career opportunities grow with consumer demands for local, organic food production and sustainable lifestyle preferences.
Karen Spiller Massachusetts Ambassador, Food Solutions New England
Jane Hirschi Founding Director, CitySprouts
Tom Green Board Member, The Assabet Village Food Cooperative
16
Environmental Practices: Policy, Regulation, and Compliance
Who creates policy, oversees regulatory processes, and enforces sound environmental practices? Hear from career professionals about environmental initiatives shaping our future.
Chris Walsh State Representative, Massachusetts
Kirstie Pecci Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group
Greg Cooper Director, Business Compliance and Recycling, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
CAREER COACHES
Bill Bean Strategic Business Consultant Green Planning and Coaching
Michelle Waters Ekanem Director of Diversity and Outreach Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Amanda Peters Career Coach Harvard Kennedy School
Rick Reibstein Lecturer, Environmental Law and Policy, Boston University; Retired Senior Environmental Analyst, MA Office of Technical Assistance
Karen Samuelson Career and Life Coach Vocation Destination
Debra Shepard Principal Riverstone Sustainability
BOOK RAFFLE
Becoming a Green Building Professional A Guide to Careers in Design, Engineering, Development, and Operations by Holley Henderson
Careers in Forestry by Institute for Career Research
Careers in Green Energy Fueling the World with Renewable Resources by Camden Flath
Companies We Keep Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place by John Abrams
The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference Environmental Work For A Sustainable World with Kevin Doyle
The Environment and the Press From Adventure Writing to Advocacy by Mark Neuzil
The Sixth Extinction An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert (2015 winner of the Pulitzer Prize)
The Zero Waste Solution Untrashing the Planet One Community at a Time by Paul Connett
GREEN EVENT FEATURES
- Event Purpose
- We are a local forum for career development and sustainable development
- Food Rescue/Zero Waste
- Unserved food from breakfast and lunch donated to a local shelter
- Food prep and plate waste is composted locally
- Reusable dishes, glasses, cups, utensils
- No disposable (paper/plastic/compostable) items
- No bottled water
- Local apples and pears
- Organic items include sugar, milk, and some sandwich wrap items
- Fair Trade Coffee
- Reduced packaging: sugar and milk in bulk containers, no individual packets
- Reduced materials/handouts
- Limited-handout requirements honor our environmental mission
- Carpooling assistance provided
- Carbon Offset for building energy for the conference and all conference travel is a donation to Green Marlborough, the local environmental organization.
CONFERENCE HOST
The Massachusetts Green Career Conference is hosted by Green Workforce Training with the support of an advisory and on-site team of professionals from government, business, academia, and non-profits.
REGISTRATION
Ticket fee ($40-$90) covers exhibitors, speakers, introductory sessions, coaching, roundtable discussions, breakfast, lunch, and book raffle. Parking and WiFi are FREE. Registration & Info @ http://greencareer.eventbrite.com.
CONTACT
Conference Director, Jen Boudrie, JenBoudrie@gmail.com, 508-481-0569.