The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is a widely recognized standard for green building design, construction, operation, and maintenance. LEED is a globally recognized rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) that focuses on promoting sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. LEED-certified buildings are designed to minimize environmental impact, conserve resources, and provide healthier spaces for occupants.

The University of Pennsylvania has been committed to sustainable and environmentally conscious construction and design practices and has incorporated LEED principles into several of its building projects to promote sustainable practices on campus. Every new building and major renovation project currently under design is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

In accordance with Philadelphia Water Department requirements, campus buildings and landscapes are increasingly being designed to prevent stormwater from overwhelming the city’s sewer system. These stormwater management practices include the installation and maintenance of lush rain gardens and green roofs, and also help further Penn’s water conservation efforts.

Matina is the Sustainability Coordinator. In her role at Penn, Matina manages a number of engagement and outreach initiatives including Green Living and Green Office certification, Staff and Faculty Eco-reps and the Penn Green preorientation program. She also coordinates events, provides website support, and manages social media for Penn Sustainability.

Previous to her role at Penn, Matina worked in various climate-focused roles, including at CDP and the City of Philadelphia. At CDP, Matina managed an accelerator program for municipal sustainability staff across the U.S. and Canada to develop and finance urgently needed climate-related infrastructure projects. Before working at CDP, Matina was the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability’s first Program Manager for Place-based Initiatives. In this role, her main areas of focus were fostering cross-sector relationships and elevating community leadership to implement strategic initiatives to support resilience and environmental justice in Philadelphia’s most climate impacted neighborhoods.

Austin is the Sustainability Analyst in the University of Pennsylvania Sustainability Office. Austin serves as the primary data and metrics analyst by collecting and reporting university sustainability performance metrics. He oversees the Green Office Certification program, Green Labs, ULT Freezer Rebate Program, the Integrating Sustainability across the Curriculum (ISAC) program, and the Civic Sustainability Fellows (CSF). Austin is also responsible for submitting University sustainability data to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), and the City of Philadelphia. 

Previously, Austin worked for a local recycling and waste company, consulting on sustainability and landfill diversion projects. There, he was responsible for supplier emissions reporting as well as identifying new zero waste strategies tailored to each clients’ operations. Prior to that, he worked at the University of South Carolina as their Sustainability Coordinator where he lead the completion and submittal of the university’s comprehensive sustainability report (AASHE’s STARS); managed the office’s financial operations; tracked progress on university sustainability goals; and supervised the Sustainable Carolina Garden program. During his time at USC, he was selected to participate in the Obama Foundation’s inaugural Community Leadership Corp where he started an initiative in Columbia, SC providing Latinx and undocumented high school students and their parents with resources to pursue a higher education after graduating high school. Austin holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of South Carolina and is a LEED Green Associate. Austin has lived in Philadelphia since 2020 and in his free time you will likely find him hiking; camping; kayaking; with his two rescue dogs, Lizzie and Willow, in tow.

Noah is the Sustainability Manager in the University of Pennsylvania's Sustainability Office. He implements projects in support of the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan across a broad spectrum of sustainability topics such as decarbonization, GHG reporting, stormwater management, procurement, transportation, and waste. Noah also helps oversee the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, manages the Student Eco-Reps program and School & Center Sustainability Coordinators group, and assists in the production of many of the Sustainability Office's outreach events. 

Previously, Noah worked as the Membership Director for the Philadelphia-based Energy Co-op where he managed all campaigns and analyses pertaining to the cooperative’s sales, customer and business development; ran an internship program; and served as a subject matter expert for renewable energy financing, campus sustainability planning, and emerging renewable power technologies. Previous to his time at The Energy Co-op, Noah worked for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) as their Membership Development Manager. In this role, Noah provided direct technical consultation to academic member institutions to further their sustainability and decarbonization goals and supported the annual AASHE international sustainability conference. He received his Master of City Planning degree from the Stuart Weitzman School of Design in 2010 and his Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Villanova University in 2008. Noah lives in Philadelphia and serves on the Board of Directors and Zoning Committee of his neighborhood civic group, the Queen Village Neighbors Association.

Nina is the Sustainability Director in the University of Pennsylvania Sustainability Office. Nina leads the sustainability office and collaboratively sets and implements Penn’s sustainability goals, programs, reporting, and communications. She also serves as the University’s primary spokesperson regarding sustainability performance and is responsible for compliance with University membership requirements for the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, the Ivy+ Sustainability Consortium, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and the Global University Leadership Forum’s International Sustainability Campus Network. 

Previously, Nina worked for 10 years at the University of Virginia's Office for Sustainability leading the outreach programs and communications team. There, she served as co-chair of the Civic Engagement Subcommittee and helped found and run the Equity & Environment Fund and hosted annual environmental justice events. Nina holds a B.A. in Spanish & Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and a M.S. in Community and Regional Planning from Temple University. Nina is a LEED Green Associate, certified PROSCI Change Practitioner, and a mother who can be found exploring Philadelphia’s parks and playgrounds during her family time.