NOTE: This workshop is designed specifically for public garden leaders; other members of staff may attend only if their CEO is joining them.

CAD (Change Agent Development) Team

John A. Boecker, AIA, LEED® Fellow serves as a founding partner in 7group, an internationally recognized multi-disciplinary consulting firm focused on integrative process and regenerative development. As an architect, his practice has focused exclusively on green buildings since 1996. Along with his 7group partners and Bill Reed, he co-authored The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building, a seminal book published by Wiley in 2009. He served as the Project Architect for two of the first 15 LEED certified projects worldwide and as primary integrative design consultant on over 100 additional LEED certified projects. His design work has been recognized by over 40 design awards, including 25 AIA Design Excellence Awards, three Pennsylvania Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, and AIA’s nationwide Top Ten Green Projects in 2000, 2009, and 2016. As a highly sought keynote speaker, John has facilitated workshops on the benefits of integrative design and regenerative development in 35 states and 14 countries. 

With over 35 years of experience in green building, consulting and construction, Christian Klehm, LEED Fellow has gained an international reputation as a thought leader, trusted consultant and expert teacher for LEED and sustainable building techniques. He has contributed to over 100 LEED projects and over 46 million square feet of green development, providing every level of customized consulting and support to owners, architects and contractors. With expertise in goal setting, the integrated design process, building construction and forensics his experience ranges from the first green and LEED Pilot Projects, to the world’s largest LEED development (CityCenter Las Vegas in 2009). Chris is author of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)’s LEED for General Contractors and Construction Managers program and has provided education and training on LEED, green building strategies and building systems and envelope commissioning for over 20 years.

David Riley is a Professor of Architectural Engineering at Penn State. His fields of expertise include regenerative building design methods, Living Building Systems, renewable energy, smart grid systems, and energy efficiency. Dr. Riley currently leads the GridSTAR Center at Penn State which is dedicated to the adaption and deployment of renewable energy. He is also the Program Manager for the Regenerative Business Prize and a member of the Regenerative Business Alliance. 

Phipps Team

Richard Piacentini, WELL AP is Phipps’ president and CEO. Since 1994, he has led the green transformation of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, including construction of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, the only building in the world to meet Living Building Challenge™, LEED® Platinum, WELL™ Platinum, and SITES™ Platinum certifications. Richard is interested in the connection between people and plants particularly as it relates to human and environmental health. He has received numerous professional honors, including APGA, ILFI and USGBC leadership awards.
 

Jason Wirick, LEED AP, WELL AP is Phipps’ director of facilities and sustainability, working to advance sustainable design, and initiate safe, healthy and green operating practices. He holds a B.S. from Virginia Tech University and a M.B.A., with a focus on corporate sustainability and social responsibility, from Duquesne University. Jason has supervised hundreds of contractors on award-winning projects. In 2015, Jason received Healthcare Garden Design Certification from the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
 

Meghan Scanlon, WELL AP, Phipps' wellness and sustainability specialist, acts as a change agent for the Conservatory, facilitating new ways to connect human and environmental health within Phipps and other organizations. Her expertise in developing and implementing targeted sustainable wellness practice standards enhances Phipps’ mission. In Studio Phipps, she inspires others by sharing the knowledge Phipps has gathered about sustainability and health through our design projects and operations. Meghan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy, and she has over 10 years of environmental impact documentation, land conservation and green infrastructure design experience.