Our Team

Andrea (she/her) is the Sustainability Director at the University of Virginia and has been a leader in higher education sustainability initiatives for 15 years. Her work focuses on the interconnectedness of operations, curriculum, research and engagement, and the potential to accelerate solutions to pressing issues through collaboration and replicable models.  Andrea leads the team at UVA's Office for Sustainability to focus on pan-University strategic planning, engagement, communication, analysis, sustainable building and additional programs across impact areas aligned with UVA’s sustainability goals. Prior to joining UVA in November 2014, she managed Harvard University’s sustainable building program, taught university courses in design and sustainability, and worked in architecture, historic preservation and sustainability consulting.

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, a Master of Liberal Arts in sustainability and environmental management from the Harvard Extension School, and Master of Science in historic preservation from Columbia University. Andrea is a member of the Better Buildings Alliance Higher Education Sector Group Steering Committee, Ivy+/Listening Post Sustainability Working Groups, Albemarle County Climate Action Plan Steering Team, the Board of Directors of Cultivate Charlottesville, and coaches youth soccer.  In her free time she enjoys long distance running and art endeavors, and is the co-founder of Draw Charlottesville.

Jesse is responsible for the University’s electric demand response and sustainable building programs. He leads the Building Energy Program and a team of energy engineers who identify and implement energy efficiency and retro-commissioning projects across Grounds. Previously, Jesse worked as a consultant doing energy conservation, HVAC design, energy modeling, and LEED project coordination. He has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and he is a licensed mechanical engineer in the state of Virginia. He is a proud father of three and a rain or shine two-wheeled commuter.

Laboratories present significant sustainability challenges and opportunities at both the building and occupant levels. With eight years of research experience, three years of Green Labs community engagement, and training in laboratory ventilation systems, Christine views labs holistically, working to align the interests of researchers, health and safety experts, and energy conservation initiatives. Together, these efforts can achieve safer, more sustainable labs.  

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Science in entomology from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories and their Ventilation Effectiveness for Laboratories Working Group. An active contributor to UVA’s Green Labs Working Group, she’ll find any excuse to talk science. Out of the lab, she cooks, camps, runs, and goes bug-hunting with her husband and two kids.

Erick is responsible for projects within efficient and specialty lighting retrofits, Delta Force, retro-commissioning, LEED measurement and verification, and water efficiency. Erick has LEED GA and EBCP (Existing Building Commissioning Professional) certifications. He has over 20 years of experience managing energy retrofit projects for hospitals, municipalities, educational institutions, and Fortune 100 corporations. He began his career with Honeywell, Inc. as a building automation controls specialist. In 1996, he founded and managed an energy services consulting company in California serving several of the largest commercial real estate companies in the United States. Erick has a bachelor’s degree in industrial marketing management and was an NCAA baseball player at California State Polytechnic University. In his free time, Erick enjoys spending time with his wife and children, watching baseball, and coaching youth sports.

As a sustainability & energy engineer at the University of Virginia, Ethan works to promote more healthy, comfortable, efficient and productive buildings. He has experience designing high performance buildings with a focus on occupant well-being and energy efficiency. Ethan has worked with a range of municipalities, utilities, and institutions of higher education to develop strategies for decarbonization, climate resilient infrastructure and sustainability action planning. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of California and has taught sustainable building and decarbonization courses at the University of Virginia, Stanford University and the PG&E Pacific Energy Center.

Fiona (she/her) leads the UVA Green Labs program, collaborating with stakeholders all over Grounds to support laboratories at UVA in reducing their environmental impact. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida (UF) in both Linguistics and African Studies, as well as a Master of Sustainable Development Practice, also from UF. Fiona has been working in higher education for over seven years and is passionate about the role of universities in leading innovative climate action initiatives. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with a book and her dogs in tow.

John joined UVA in October 2010 after holding previous roles in the areas of facilities project management, physical plant operations, and mechanical and building automation systems contracting with various Virginia-based firms. He is currently responsible for evaluating, identifying and implementing energy reduction projects in existing university facilities at UVA. A few of his projects have included Gilmer Hall, Thornton Hall, West Complex and others. John holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Old Dominion University and is a licensed engineer in Virginia. He is also an accredited LEED AP BD+C and O+M as well as a Certified Energy Manager. Outside of work, John enjoys outdoor activities and music.

Samantha (she/her) works across UVA teams, programs and departments to strategically drive energy efficiency and sustainability on Grounds through analysis and program development. In addition to her work with the Building Efficiency Program and waste minimization, Samantha focuses on engagement at UVA Health, UVA Athletics and Darden School of Business. She also manages UVA’s partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program. Throughout her career, Samantha has supported sustainability program development and energy efficiency in the hospitality and healthcare sectors, commercial real estate and other commercial buildings, in addition to supporting U.S. DOE and EPA federal energy efficiency programs.

As a member of the energy engineering team, Sophia (she/her) works to identify existing building energy conservation measures and make sure all new construction projects on Grounds achieve their highest sustainability potential. Sophia is also responsible for performing data analysis to map out building energy, water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions profiles.

She received her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Shandong University of Technology, and her Master of Science in energy system engineering from Northeastern University. Prior to working at UVA, Sophia had seven years of experience in high efficiency HVAC system design, building retro-commissioning and project management. She is a licensed Mechanical Engineer.

Keith is part of the energy engineering team and helps identify and implement energy efficiency and retro-commissioning projects across Grounds. He also works with various stakeholders on Grounds to improve the built environment in order to increase health and wellness for the UVA community. Prior to joining UVA, Keith worked as a consultant doing HVAC design, project management, and energy conservation. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State and he is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.

Lela (she/her) is responsible for supporting numerous sustainability outreach initiatives on Grounds such as various committees, major events and engagement programming. Her primary responsibilities include working closely with UVA’s dozens of sustainability committees and working groups, supporting the organization of large sustainability events such as the Game Day Challenge and Earth Week, and aiding student group in their endeavors, particularly the Sustainability Advocates and Office for Sustainability Student Employees.

Lela started in the Office for Sustainability in September 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sociology from Bowdoin College. Before beginning at UVA, she worked with the youth engagement project of the Environmental Defense Fund, which highlights her passion of forwarding sustainability initiatives in higher education.

Erika (she/her) works with UVA’s 12 Schools as well as major operating units to develop their sustainability visions and strategic plans in alignment with the University’s 2020-2030 Sustainability Plan, the Racial Equity Task Force goals, including Inclusive Excellence, and the 2030 Great and Good University Plan. She is co-chair of the Civic Engagement Subcommittee of the Committee on Sustainability 

Erika was formerly Director of Research and Intellectual Capital at the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the UVA Darden School of Business, where she co-directed Darden’s Business Innovation and Climate Change Initiative and co-chaired ClimateCAP 2020: The Global MBA Summit on Climate, Capital and Business. Erika has also served as the Associate Director of Sustainability Programs at Darden, Managing Director of the Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability and Sustainability Manager for UTC Power. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College and an Master of Business Administration from Darden. She is also a graduate of Charlottesville’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence Board Development Academy and serves on the Market Leadership Advisory Board for the U.S. Green Building Council Virginia chapter.

Cat (she/her) leads the communications strategies to help achieve the goals of UVA’s Sustainability Plan and advance environmentally sustainable, equitable and healthy places for all. She partners with students, staff and faculty to support UVA’s many sustainability projects and programs and increase engagement in sustainable practices across Grounds, as well as to collaborate with the broader community on sustainability initiatives. Cat received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Tennessee, minoring in dance, and her Master of Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is an alumna of the Scripps Fellowship for Environmental Journalism and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute. After several years as a reporter, she was the communications lead with two regional nonprofit organizations, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Appalachian Voices. 

Shannon (she/her) received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Chemistry from Lynchburg College. Prior to her role with UVA, she was an Environmental Planning & Compliance Specialist for the City of Durham, North Carolina, focused on freshwater ecology, stormwater quality and citizen outreach. She also has experience in non-profit development and fundraising, which led to her passion for outreach and engagement. Shannon supports UVA’s waste reduction goals and focuses primarily on faculty and staff outreach. She is passionate about mindful consumerism, environmental stewardship and environmental justice. In her free time, Shannon enjoys hiking and camping in the Blue Ridge, practicing yoga and experimenting in the kitchen with local ingredients.

Dana supports outreach events, programs, committees, and partnerships with a focus on faculty and staff the University of Virginia. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Economics from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She is particularly interested in behavioral psychology and social norms as they relate to sustainability involvement and individual action. In her free time, she enjoys swing dancing and exploring new places on foot.

Katie (she/her) works primarily with students to promote and support waste minimization initiatives across grounds in alignment with the University’s 2020-2030 Sustainability Plan. She holds a Bachelor’s in Earth & Environmental Science and a minor in Outdoor Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Katie has a background in the non-profit sector, working in animal welfare and in environmental education. When not in the office, Katie enjoys baking, gardening, and getting outside while following Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.