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 100 jobs.
Alt E Store
Antioch University New England
Clark University, IDCE
Clark University, Graduate School
The Conway School
Direct Energy Solar
Ecological Landscaping Alliance
Green Jobs Academy
Green Schools
Green Planning and Coaching
Homeworks Energy, Inc
Level Solar
Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
Mass Careers
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Massachusetts Facilities Administrators Association
New England Water Environment Association
Northeast Organic Farming Association – Mass
PIRG Campus Action
Riverstone Sustainability
SIT Graduate Institute
Solar City
Solar Flair The Student Conservation Association
TechSandBox
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Weston & Sampson
Zipcar
COMPLETE PROGRAM
8am-4pm REGISTRATION, EXHIBITS, NETWORKING
9-10am CONCURRENT SESSIONS
1
Land a Job that Makes a Difference
What’s your eco career goal? What do you need to do to get there? What do you need to learn? How do you gain the experience required?
Bill Bean Executive Director, Green Planning and Coaching
Sharon Hanna Director, Career Development and External Relations, International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE), Clark University
2
Economic Trends
Environmental sustainability and economic goals are challenges many strive to meet. Learn about exceptional research and solutions underway.
Emmy Hahn Coordinator, Smart Growth, Downtown Initiative, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Janelle Cornwell Author, Building Co-Operative Power
3
Massachusetts Legislation and Clean Energy Jobs
What does our new energy legislation mean for future jobs? What’s happening with our green budget and jobs at the state level? Get your answers here.
George Bachrach President, Environmental League of Massachusetts
Dan Bosley Government Relations Executive, Northeast Clean Energy Council
4
Green Schools
Environmental programs and resources are developing the next generation of students and schools. Learn more about Green Schools.
Robin Organ Executive Director, Green Schools Project
5
Sustainability Careers and Lifestyles
Hear from professionals dedicated to careers and lifestyles that help us live more lightly on the planet.
Debra Shepard Principal, Riverstone Sustainability
Ashley Carter Program Manager, New Lands Farm
Amanda Barker Founder & Manager, Nuestro Huerto
6
Work with Nature
Ecological restoration, sustainable landscape planning and design, and similar fields offer nature-based careers in environmental stewardship that benefit you and our communities.
Tim Purinton Director, Division of Ecological Restoration, State of Massachusetts
Bruce Stedman Executive Director, The Conway School of Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design
7
Smart Growth and Multi-Modal Transportation
Hear from experts working for walkable, bikeable, livable, vibrant, downtown communities that we all can enjoy.
Manikka Bowen Manager, Policy and Outreach, Urban Land Institute, New England
Roberta Brien VP Projects, Worcester Business Development Corporation
Sharon Bort HR Manager, Hubway Bicycle Share
10:30-10:45 KEYNOTE
If our future is going to be more sustainable, we need planners, landscapers, clean energy experts, and all professions to work for sustainable solutions in our communities.
Atyia Martin Chief Resilience Officer, City of Boston
Kevin Doyle Workforce Development Consultant, Northeast Clean Energy Council; Lead Researcher, NatureWORKS National Urban Green Infrastructure Workforce Study
10:45-11:45 ASSOCIATIONS’ SUMMIT
Associations Summit – Sustainability Trends and Resources
New this year! Industry association reps describe employer and employee resources. Discover a wide variety of job openings, education/training, events, and sustainability trends.
Joan Popolo Executive Director, Association of CleanTech Incubators of New England
Ronald Gillooly Board Member, Energy Engineers New England – Mass. Chapter
Angela Vincent Board Member, American Planning Association – Northeast
Trevor Smith President, Ecological Landscaping Alliance
Eugene Benson Executive Director, Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions
Angela Allen Member, Mass. Association of Public Purchasing Officials
Kevin Doyle Workforce Development Consultant, Northeast Clean Energy Council
Peter Dewar Director, Professional Development, Mass. Association of Vocational Administrators
Ken Wertz Board of Directors, Mass. Facilities Administrators Association
Ray Willis President, New England Water Environment Association
Noon-1:00 LUNCH ROUNDTABLES
Tables will have signs for each association rep at the summit.
Exhibitors who are recruiting will announce job openings and be available at roundtables, too.
Networking and business socializing is encouraged.
1:15 – 2:15 pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS
8
Transitioning to Your Next Green Job
Prepare for the next step in your green career path by clarifying your goals, making connections and gaining practical experience and skills relevant to your field of interest.
Amanda Peters Associate Director, Career Advancement, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Robin Bergstrom Executive Director, Congress for the New Urbanism, New England Chapter
RESOURCES: Your Career Plan and Role and Gap Analysis Exercise
9
Resources for Employers who are Hiring
Access the talent pool. Recruit, train, and retain the talent you need! Get connected to resources. Stay on top of trends.
Andrew Chabot Program Manager, Workforce Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Kristen ONeil Rayne Outreach Manager, Workforce Training Fund, Commonwealth Corporation
10
Local & State Government Careers
Be the change! Make an impact in your community and your state government. Decision-makers and team players help make sustainability a reality.
Juanita Allen Recruitment, Human Resources Division, State of Massachusetts
Eugene Benson Executive Director, Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions ARTICLE: Best Job Ever
11
High Schools
Sustainability education in high schools prepares students for future careers. Schools are vital learning labs that can provide much needed experience.
Peter Dewar Director, Professional Development, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
John Kelly Environmental and Technology Instructor with two students, Upper Cape Cod Regional Tech HS
Tabitha Yeager Environmental Science Teacher, Dighton-Rehoboth Regional HS; EcoRise Curriculum Developer
John Sannizzaro Electrical Instructor, Upper Cape Cod Regional Tech HS
12
Food & Agriculture
Development of a healthier, local food system is showing promise and creating career opportunities.
Kerry Bowie Managing Partner, Msaada Partners
Brittany Sidway Overshiner Beginning Farmer Program Coordinator, Northeast Organic Farming Association – Massachusetts Chapter
13
Climate, Resilience, City Planning
A new wave of climate-ready planning, including the 2017 International Summit in Boston, Climate Ready Boston, and Boston’s new Resilience Strategy will spur climate-related jobs. What can we expect?
Atyia Martin Chief Resilience Officer, City of Boston
Angela Vincent Economic Development Planner, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission; Board Member, American Planning Association, Northeast Region
14
Clean Energy
We are entering a new age of solar, energy storage, microgrids, and novel technologies that are ‘off the grid’.
Kevin Doyle Workforce Development Consultant, Northeast Clean Energy Council
2:30-3:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
15
Upward Trends for Women and Minorities
Women and minorities are rising in leadership roles across the board. Learning to ask for fair pay and social equity is part of the process.
Michelle Waters Ekanem Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional
MaryRose Mazzola Executive Director, Boston Women’s Workforce Council
Ryanne Olsen Executive Director, Emerge Massachusetts
16
Entrepreneurs
Confronting clean energy, food, and sustainability challenges are some of the areas creating an exciting world of opportunities for enterprising people.
Holly Fowler Co-Founder and Founding Director, Northbound Ventures; Co-leader, Boston Area Sustainability Group; Board Advisor, Net Impact Boston
Kerry Bowie Managing Partner, Msaada Partners
17
College and the Future of Higher Education
Sustainability, affordability, experiential learning, online education, flexible options, job placement – these are some of the things today’s students are looking for.
Sarah Bockus Internship Program, Environmental Studies Department, Antioch University New England
Joan Perreault Interim Director of Admissions, SIT Graduate Institute
Bruce Stedman Executive Director, The Conway School of Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design
Paula Hall Director, Graduate Student Recruitment, Clark University
18
Green Buildings
The construction industry is being transformed by several initiatives that support careers in clean energy and sustainability. While building codes call for better energy efficiency and net zero energy buildings are being built, government buildings continue to meet higher standards at the state and local levels.
Alex Pollard Energy Efficiency Commercial Programs Manager, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Edward “Tony” Ranson Deputy Director, Energy and Sustainability Group, Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management
Karl Brown Senior Architect, Massachusetts School Buildings Authority
19
Toxics Reduction & Health
There are many opportunities worth exploring to ensure we all have an equal right and access to a healthy and safe environment.
Rick Reibstein Lecturer, Environmental Law, Boston University and Harvard University Extension; Author, Developing Sustainable Environmental Responsibility; 2015 Pollution Prevention Champion from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Mike Ellenbecker Director, Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI)
20
Landscapes & Urban Green Infrastructure
Bringing nature into our lives has many benefits. Organic landscaping and low impact designs are among the healthful and rewarding careers on offer
Kevin Doyle Lead Researcher, NatureWORKS National Urban Green Infrastructure Workforce Study
Trevor Smith Lead Designer, Land Escapes Design, Inc: President, Ecological Landscaping Alliance
CAREER COACHES
Juanita Allen Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Human Resources Division, State of Massachusetts Mass Careers
Bill Bean Strategic Business Consultant Green Planning and Coaching
Kerry Bowie Managing Partner, Msaada Partners (unvailable for coaching but will be presenting in two sessions)
Michelle Waters Ekanem Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion Professional Linkedin
Sharon Hanna Director of Career Development, International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE), Clark University
Andrea Perrault College Professor and Workforce Development Professional
Amanda Peters Career Coach Harvard Kennedy School
Rick Reibstein Lecturer, Environmental Law, Boston University and Harvard University Extension; Author, Developing Sustainable Environmental Responsibility; Retired, Mass. Office of Technical Assistance
Debra Shepard Principal Riverstone Sustainability
FREE BOOKS & PHOTOGRAPHY
- Clark University provided 50 FREE copies of The Sixth Extinction (2015 Pulitzer Prize winner) at their exhibit table, and 20 books were raffled away for free at the conference registration table.
- Adriel Bencosme provided free portraits.
GREEN EVENT FEATURES
- Our Purpose
- Providing best practices and resources for career development and sustainable development.
- Food & Beverage
- All produce was local bought from Pioneer Valley Co-op which is sourced by about 60-70% western Mass farms and a few in CT.
- Cheeses were from Greensborogh VT, Cabot Cheese in VT, and Luitzin in North Haven CT.
- Fruit was from Tougas Farm in Northboro, MA.
- Fair Trade organic coffee provided.
- Food Rescue/Zero Waste
- Unserved food was donated to local shelter.
- Real dishes, glasses, cups, utensils
- NO disposables (paper/plastic/compostable dishware)
- Reduced packaging: sugar and milk in bulk containers, and no individual packets
- No bottled water. Tap water was served in pitchers.
- Reduced materials/handout
- Limited handout requirements honored our environmental mission.
- No presenter handouts were permitted.
- Presentations were posted on the website after the conference.
- Exhibitor materials included reusable posters & banners.
- Exhibitor handouts, if any, were made from sustainable materials.
- No paper pads, pens, etc. were distributed by the conference center.
- Our conference guide was limited to one page, double-sided printed on recycled/FSC paper.
- Multi-Modal Transportation
- The beautiful, historic train station is less than three walkable blocks from the conference.
- City bus service was available.
- The carbon offset for all building energy and transportation to and from both our annual conferences is a donation to a Massachusetts environmental organization. Former recipients: Climate Action NOW, Green Marlborough, Home Energy Efficiency Team, Live Cooler, Mass Climate Action Network, and Toxics Action Center.
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-$95) covered exhibitors, presentations/sessions, coaching, roundtable discussions, light breakfast and lunch, and book raffle. Group discounts were available.
CONTACT
Conference Director, Jen Boudrie, JenBoudrie@gmail.com, 508-481-0569.