Program | Coolest in LA 2020

Congratulations to Our 2020 Honorees!

Caroline Choi

Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Southern California Edison

Denise Fairchild

CEO, Emerald Cities Collaborative

Belinda Valles Faustinos

Executive Director, Nature for All

Adel Hagekhalil, P.E., BCEE, WEF Fellow

Executive Director & General Manager, StreetsLA (Bureau of Street Services)

Greg Spotts

Assistant Director and Chief Sustainability Officer, StreetsLA (Bureau of Street Services)

Master of Ceremonies

Wade Crowfoot

Secretary for Natural Resources, California Natural Resources Agency

Program

6:30 pm

Networking Reception

7:15 pm

Program

8:00 pm

Closing

Tonight's Menu

Pear Arugula Salad
Vegan Jackfruit Cassoulet or Saffron Lemon Organic
Chicken
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Wild Rice Pilaf
Sunrise Chocolate Brownies
Dos Almas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon or Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Virtual Hosted tables

3M

At 3M, we have set an ambitious, long-term strategy for Sustainability. Our intent is to use our passion and science-approach to tackle challenges where we can make the biggest impact. As a company rooted in scientific exploration, and the belief that every problem has a solution, we are applying our technological expertise to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges: raw materials, water, energy and climate, health and safety, and education and development. To improve our climate, 3M developed reflective roofing granules for use in cool roofing solutions and specialty granules that can remove smog pollutants from the air.

AARP

For over sixty years, AARP has worked with communities nationwide, fiercely advocating for the health and well-being of three generations of older adults and their families. The effects of climate change on our current and future members is a priority for AARP, and we look forward to engaging in robust and forward-thinking conversations with Southern California’s climate leaders at the Coolest in LA Gala

Clean Energy

In 2019, Clean Energy unveiled ambitious goals to exclusively offer zero-carbon Redeem™ renewable natural gas (RNG) at all of its fueling stations nationwide by 2025. At this pace Clean Energy has the
potential to outdistance California’s 2045 carbon neutrality goals by two decades. In 2019, Clean Energy
delivered 143 million gallons of Redeem; a fuel that is derived from capturing biogenic methane from the decomposition of organic waste from dairies, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. For more
information, visit CleanEnergyFuels.com.

Climate Leaders of Tomorrow (pointC)

After organizing a climate strike in Pasadena last September with over 500 attendees, Ozzy started a chapter of the Sunrise Movement at Sequoyah School in Pasadena to fight for a Green New Deal alongside other youth. Audrey joined as one of the first members as the actions coordinator and, since then, they have moderated climate action forums with political candidates, urged Pasadena elected officials to back a Green New Deal and declare a local climate emergency at city council meetings, and, most recently, worked with other high school students in the L.A. area to form a regional Sunrise chapter for high schoolers, where Ozzy is the data lead and Audrey is the social media lead. Living in Los Angeles, Riley has seen many changes, from the drought and hot weather to how animal patterns are being affected. Climate change is a reality for his generation. As a rising 10th grader, he thinks about how his future will be affected and looks to become more involved in the work of groups like Climate Resolve to help shape a more resilient world for his generation.

Cordoba Corp

Founded in Los Angeles in1983, Cordoba Corporation is statewide full-service engineering, construction management and program management firm specializing in the delivery of infrastructure projects in transportation, education, water and energy sectors. Join us at our virtual hosted table for a discussion regarding a “Multi-Benefit” Approach to Infrastructure Development.

Environmental Science Associates

ESA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm committed to advancing sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice. We engage in planning and permitting for climate action and resilience, community development, natural resource management and open space expansion, habitat/wetland restoration, and public infrastructure. We are 50-years and nearly 500-people strong – actively learning and growing.

Global Possibilities

When President Carter was in the White House promoting solar tax credits, Casey Coates Danson was a student of Environmental Design at Parsons in New York. Solar was a hot issue and a sensible solution to our polluting industrial society. Almost thirty years later we are still working hard to incorporate solar into our day-to-day lives. In 1996 Ms. Danson founded Global Possibilities (GP), an environmental non-profit organization to encourage environmental stewardship through the increased use of solar energy in the U.S. to reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuels and to mitigate climate change.

LADWP

As nation’s largest municipal utility, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is committed to being a leader in sustainability. As part of L.A.’s Green New Deal, LADWP will source 70% of L.A.’s water locally by 2035 and supply 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins has one of the largest and most successful climate change and environmental markets practices globally. Latham’s Climate Change lawyers provide clients an integrated and effective combination of litigation representation, creative transactional advice, and policy advocacy before multiple government agencies. Visit lw.com for more info.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is the nation’s largest supplier of drinking water, service a diverse region of nearly 19 million people. Metropolitan continues its leadership role to help the region adapt to climate change by making significant investments to reduce water demands, conserve natural resources and ensure access to safe and reliable water supplies. Metropolitan’s Climate Action Plan will provide a portfolio approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the district’s operations and an Energy Sustainability Plan that will identify opportunities to enhance energy management and ensure energy reliability.

Southern California Edison

Southern California Edison is providing 48 percent clean energy to our customers, leading in energy storage and making strides to support transportation and building electrification. A clean energy future is on its way but there are already climate impacts such as extreme weather, intense droughts, devastating wildfires and rising sea levels. What steps can we take together to help our communities face these challenges?

StreetsLA

StreetsLA improves neighborhood quality of life in Los Angeles by making our streets safe, mobile and sustainable. Recently StreetsLA planted more than 180 trees in three San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, converting neighborhood cool pavement projects into integrated neighborhood cooling projects (Winnetka, Sun Valley, and Pacoima)

The Energy Coalition

The Energy Coalition (TEC) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 45 years of experience designing and implementing strategies that transform energy use, generate capital and inspire people to take responsible energy actions. As a social change organization, TEC empowers communities to leap into the future of clean energy by bringing ideas, technology, and expertise to public agencies, businesses, educators, and more.

Themed Tables

Active Transportation
Advancing Electrification
Alternative Fuel Pathways
Black Lives Matter / Climate Equity
Cleaning LA’s Air
Climate Planning / Future Cities
Climate Resilience in LA
Communications / Virtual Engagement
Community Development & Smart Growth
Cooling Down the City
COVID / Climate
Curbing Wildfire
Divestment
Reducing Climate Pollution
Saving Open Space
Saving Water & Watersheds
Workforce Development / Green New Deal
Zero Net Energy

Guest List

Judy Abdo, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
David Abel, VerdeXchange
Martin L. Adams, LADWP
Dr. Felix Aguilar, Chinatown Services Center
Lauren Ahkiam, LAANE
Erica Alexis, Rosendin
Senator Ben Allen, California Senate District 26
Jill Anderson, Southern California Edison
Wendy Angel, Emerald Cities Collaborative
Lisa Arellanes, Southern California Edison
Ken Ashford, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
David Azevedo, AARP California
Michael Backstrom, Southern California Edison
Andrew Baldonado, Southern California Edison
Jesus Benavides, Slate-Z
Bonny Bentzin, UCLA
Maureen Bernstein, Newfront Insurance
Deborah Bloome, Accelerating Climate Resilience
Audrey Bluestone, Sunrise Movement, LA Youth
Louis Blumberg, Blumberg West Consulting
Sabrina Bornstein, Buro Happold
Chelsea Brandom, Verdical Group
Jennifer Bravo, Accelerating Climate Resilience
Xochiltl Bravo, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Eveline Bravo-Ayala, Office of Senator Robert Hertzberg
Thelma Briseño, Climate Resolve
JP Brisson, Latham & Watkins
Dr. William Brown
Nikki Buffa, Latham & Watkins
Genaro Bugarin, The Energy Coalition
Jonathan Calzada, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
Shona Calzada Ganguly, The Nature Conservancy
Robyn Camp, RTI International
Todd Campbell, Clean Energy
Luis Campillo, AARP California
Marc Campopiano, Latham & Watkins
Matt Carpenter, FivePoint
Karina Castillo, OUTFRONT / JCDecaux
Jeff Caton, Environmental Science Associates
Sydney Chamberlin, The Nature Conservancy
Caroline Choi, Southern California Edison
Steve Churm, FivePoint
Richard Clarke, LA Metro
Casey Coates Danson, Global Possibilities
Dr. Nancy L. Cohen
Juan Contreras, California Fuel Cell Partnership
Kristian Corby, California Electric Transportation Coalition
Woodrow Covington, Climate Resolve
Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency
Mary D. Nichols, California Air Resources Board
Renee Dake Wilson, Dake Wilson Architects
Edith de Guzman, TreePeople
Jolly de Guzman
Melissa de la Pena, Cordoba Corporation
Councilmember-Elect Kevin de Leon, Los Angeles Council District 14
Hampik Dekermenjian, CDM Smith
Estela DeLlanos, San Diego Gas & Electric
Scott Dellinger, CDM Smith
Shawn Dhanak, A. Bright Idea Advertising and Public Relations
Linda Dishman, Los Angeles Conservancy
Michael Dreibelbis, FivePoint
Eileen Dutton, Malarkey Roofing Products
David Ebersold, CDM Smith
Kristopher Eclarino, Climate Resolve
Elana Eden
Chase Engelhardt, Climate Resolve
Mariana Estrada, Climate Resolve
Denise Fairchild, Emerald Cities Collaborative
Belinda Faustinos, Nature for All
Jerry Faustinos
Daniel Faustinos
Jayden Faustinos
Adrian Faustinos
Azusena Favela, County of Los Angeles
Ignacio Fernandez, Southern California Edison
Sammy Feuerlicht
Ted Flanigan, EcoMotion
Beth Foley, Southern California Edison
Mike Fong, LACCD
Nathan Forrest, California Nevada Cement Association
Diane Forte, Southern California Edison
Sarah Friedman, Better World Group
Danielle Furuichi, Heal the Bay
Michael Gagan, Kindel Gagan
Patti Gagan
Dave Gallon, Mocean Lab
Michael Gasbaro
Dwayne Gathers, Gathers Strategies
Melinda Gejer, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Ehab Gerges, Harris & Associates
Paul Gomez, City of Los Angeles – Public Works / Public Affairs Office
Chi Ming Gong, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Jose T. Gonzalez, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Teresa Gonzalez, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
David Grannis, pointC, LLC
Riley Grannis, Saint Francis High School
Gloria Gray, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Liliana Griego, Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR)
Victor Griego, WELL
Erin Grizard, Bloom Energy
Aaron Gross, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
Nancy H. Sutley, LADWP
Adel Hagekhalil, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Janine Hamner Holman, J&J Consulting Group
Emily Hand, Verdical Group
Kaitlin Hannon, American Society of Civil Engineers
Gretchen Hardison, Climate Resolve
Mark Hardison, Long Beach Partners of Parks
Melissa Hernandez, OUTFRONT / JCDecaux
Natalie Hernandez, Climate Resolve
Dr. Adrian Hightower, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Amy Holm, The Climate Registry
Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath, City of West Hollywood
Brandon Hurlbut, Boundary Stone Partners
Sydney Jackson, Western Colloid Inc.
Alexandra Jackson
Margot Jacobs, Studio-MLA
Seth Jacobson, Climate Resolve
Anna Jacobson, Morley Builders
Randy James, Sugerman Communication Group
Nate Jensen, Clean Energy Renewables Fuels
Lacey Johnson, Office of Supervisor Ridley-Thomas
Larry Kaplan, Larry Kaplan Consulting
George Karam, Planning Report
Nurit Katz, UCLA
Maureen Kavanagh, 3M – Industrial Mineral Product Division
Fadia Khoury, Southern California Edison
Don Kimball, FivePoint
Davis Koleas, GuardTop
Natasha Koleas, GuardTop
Jennifer Komonchak, Clean Energy Renewable Fuels
Larry Kopald, The Carbon Underground
Gabe Kramer, Marathon Communications

Cynthia Kurtz, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Stephen Lamm, Bloom Energy
Jannetta Lamourt, Quantivpro
James Lau, Asian Pacific American Leadership Foundation (APALF)
Meaghan Laverty, The Energy Coalition
Angela Lee, Latham & Watkins
Elis Lee, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Councilmember Daniel Lee, Culver City
Mia Lehrer, Studio-MLA
Liz Leshin, Los Angeles Conservancy
Jonathan Levy, EVgo
Richard Lichtenstein, Marathon Communications
Claudia Lima, CIT Bank
Bryn Lindblad, Climate Resolve
Jered Lindsay, Southern California Edison
Andy Lipkis, Accelerating Climate Resilience
Ingrid Lobet
Brianne Logasa, WELL
Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza, Southern California Edison
Richard Lovely
Miguel Luna, Dake Luna
Ana Luna, Team Rubicon
Loraine Lundquist, California State University Northridge
Jeff Luzar, GuardTop
Asma Mahdi, Better World Group
Keith Malone, California Fuel Cell Partnership
Stella Maloyan, LAANE
Felicia Marcus, Water Policy Group
Wally Marks, WNM Realty
Randall Martinez, Cordoba Corporation
Michael McCormick, Harris & Associates
Christine McLeod, Cordoba Corporation
Maria Mehranian, Cordoba Corporation
Elisa Mendez, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Dr. Lorenzo Moncelsi, Cal Tech
Diana Morales, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
Roberto Morales, Sierra Club
Jenny Morataya, Cordoba Corporation
Hitta Mosesman, Harris & Associates
Richard Moss, Moss Group
Leslie Moulton-Post, Environmental Science Associates
Laura Mulry, White & Case
Deborah Murphy, Deborah Murphy Urban Design + Planning
François Nion, OUTFRONT / JCDecaux
Kimberly Orbe, Nature for All
Norman Ornelas, Jr.
Debra Owens, Quantivpro
Aaron Paley, Community Arts Resources
Michael Parada, Climate Resolve
Jonathan Parfrey, Climate Resolve
Emily Parker, Heal the Bay
Michelle Passero, The Nature Conservancy
Kevin Payne, Southern California Edison
Dr. Katherine Pease, Heal the Bay
Melanie Peck, The Energy Coalition
Oscar Peña, LATG
Craig Perkins, The Energy Coalition
Jennifer Pope McDowell, City of Los Angeles
Bob Prath, AARP California
Miles Prince, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Zenya Prowell, Accelerating Climate Resilience
Gloria Quinn, Edison International
Tracy Quinn, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
John Rabung, Malarkey Roofing Products
Charles Read, Latham & Watkins
Susan Reiner, Activist
Heather Repenning, LA Metro
Wesley Reutimann, ActiveSGV
Chris Rhie, Buro Happold
Jason Ricks, Cardno
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District
Jorge A. Rodriguez, City of Los Angeles
Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero, City of Los Angeles
Dannah Rosales, Climate Resolve
Heidi Rous, Environmental Science Associates
Tiffany Rubin, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Senator Susan Rubio, California Senate District 22
Ben Rucka, Malarkey Roofing Products
Councilmember Meghan Sahli-Wells, Culver City
Diane Sandman, Harris & Associates
Carina Sandoval
Judy Saunders, Bread Head
Martin Schlageter, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Kristen Schwarz, LAANE
Tammy L. Seale, PlaceWorks
Reema Shakra, Environmental Science Associates
Brian Sheridan, Coalition for Clean Air
Kevin Shin, Quantivpro
Drew Shula, Verdical Group
Ozzy Simpson, Sunrise Movement, LA Youth
Susanne Simpson
Carolyn Sims, Southern California Edison
Sue Sims, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Maria Sison-Roces, LADWP
Meighen Speiser, ecoAmerica
Greg Spotts, City of Los Angeles – StreetsLA
Persephene St. Charles, Woodard & Curran
Ben Stapleton, USGBC-LA
Senator Henry Stern, California Senate District 27
Steve Sugerman, Sugerman Communications Group
Michael Swords, Climate Resolve
Erin Szulman, EVgo
Cynthia Tello, CIT Bank
Maureen Tholen, 3M Safety & Industrial Business Group
Michelle Thomas, Southern California Edison
Chris Thompson, Southern California Edison
Hala Titus, CDM Smith
Benjamin Torres, CD Tech
Kenny Totrakarn
Jill Tracy, SoCalGas
Craig Tranby, LADWP
Mitchell Tsai, Mitchell M. Tsai, Attorney at Law PC
Cody Tubbs, Edison International
Gabriel Varela, Climate Resolve
Commissioner Teresa Villegas, City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works
Kristina von Hoffmann, Climate Resolve
William Walkenhorst, Morley Builders
Kecia Washington, LADWP
Dr. Clare Weber, CSUSB
Bret Weinberger, Climate Resolve
William Welch, Quantivpro
Eileen Wenger Tutt, California Electric Transportation Coalition
Nichol Whiteman, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Brian Wilson, Dake Wilson Architects
Councilmember Ted Winterer, City of Santa Monica
Thomas Wong, Climate Resolve
Ron Wong, Imprenta Communications Group
Chloe Woodruff, Verdical Group
Janna Woods, Climate Resolve
Sophia Wu, UCLA
Jean Yang, Studio-MLA
Zachary Zeilman, Climate Resolve
Dee Zinke, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Renee Dake Wilson
+ Glen Dake

Casey Coates Danson

Bronze

Thank You to Our Vendors

Catering Logistics & Swag Production: Wife of the Party | Caterer: Crumble | Design: Ride or Cry | Awards: Nick Albert & Lauritz David, Advanced Prototyping Center