The market is tired of sustainability spin. The AEC and design industry is facing pressure—from clients, investors, and regulations—to prove measurable progress, not just promote it. In 2026, the brands that win will be those that move sustainability out of their marketing decks and into measurable, verifiable action.
Join us for a one-hour discussion where industry leaders explore:
Jack Rusk is the CEO and co-founder of C.Scale, a software platform democratizing access to whole life carbon data and design strategy. C.Scale was founded on the belief that data-driven tools can help get "all hands on deck" in the work of transforming buildings and cities from a climate burden to a climate solution.
In the last few years, he's presented research at over a dozen conferences a year, applied machine learning to streamline early-phase carbon estimation, consulted with the Biden White House on measuring and managing supply chain emissions from buildings, and led the development of LCA methodology and data solutions for hyperscale tech companies, Autodesk, and Schneider Electric.
He currently volunteers for the Living Future Energy+Carbon Technical Advisory Group, the AIA DDx working group, Mindful Materials Tech and Data working group, and as an AIA representative on the Embodied Carbon Harmonization and Optimization (ECHO) Project.
Brice Aarrestad, AIA, is the Director of Design at H Window. He is a licensed architect and creative strategist specializing in high‑performance façade systems, sustainable material sourcing, and product development. He blends design innovation with deep technical expertise to bridge the gap between design intent and real‑world execution. Brice also develops marketing strategies that translate complex building technologies into clear, compelling narratives for project stakeholders and industry partners. His work reflects a commitment to resource stewardship, craftsmanship, and purposeful design.
Anthony Guerrero is the Executive Director of mindful MATERIALS, Founder of Sustainaprise, and a Board Member of VIBE. He has led sustainability and real estate strategies at Earthjustice, NRDC, and the International Living Future Institute, and teaches Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Measuring and Reducing in Columbia’s Sustainability Management program.
Ren DeCherney is a licensed interior designer who uses her first-hand experience of the complexities of the building industry to help designers and manufacturers translate their sustainability pledges into reality.
Prior to joining the Institute as Director of Built Environment, she worked in Portland as a designer, where she took her firm PVC-free, making them the first firm in Portland to make such a commitment. She was then the Director of Industry Transparency at Source, a digital materials platform, where she synthesized design team needs and industry trends to integrate sustainability seamlessly into the design process. This included building various user tools, growing strategic partnerships, and developing all of the sustainability filters on the platform.
She then worked at the International Living Future Institute, overseeing the Declare and Living Product Challenge programs. There she worked with both designers and manufacturers to understand the current market incentives for sustainable practices and how to implement sustainability strategy into everyday practices.
Flavia Grey, PhD, is a Principal at ZGF Architects leading the firmwide Data Strategy + Research group. Flavia champions the use of data-driven solutions to aid in the decision-making process and strengthen designs using occupancy evaluations, space utilization studies, statistical analysis, data visualization, modeling, and simulation. She works collaboratively with all stakeholders to provide best practices and objectively assess the efficacy of the design team’s work, resulting in the healthiest, most productive spaces for users. Flavia holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.
.avif){kind=logo}
