Greenbuild Webinar: Biodiversity and the Built Environment – Strategies for a Nature Positive Future

Greenbuild Webinar: Biodiversity and the Built Environment – Strategies for a Nature Positive Future

About the speakers
  • Julie Jacobson
    Julie Jacobson
    Senior ESG Manager and Executive Director of VIBE at Verdani Partners
    Julie offers over 12 years of experience in the sustainable real estate industry, plus prior expertise in commercial real estate including leasing and acquisitions in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. In her role as Senior ESG Manager at Verdani, Julie works on programming for CommonWealth Partners. Julie is also Executive Director for the Verdani Institute for the Built Environment (VIBE), a nonprofit focused on green building advocacy and education. She holds an MBA from USC with a concentration in real estate finance, a BA in Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of California Berkeley, an EcoDistricts AP, and an LEED GA accreditation. She also serves in various leadership roles with USGBC-LA.
  • Kristen Wernick
    Kristen Wernick
    Senior ESG Manager and Biodiversity Manager at Verdani Partners
    Kristen leads the Biodiversity Committee and ESG programs for real estate clients. She brings experience in the fields of native plant landscaping, water efficiency, sustainable landscape design, and business development. She has worked with numerous stakeholders, including property managers, water agencies, landscaping and nursery professionals, and scientists. She holds an MBA from the UCI Paul Merage School of Business, an A.S. in Landscape Design, and a B.S. in Environmental Studies.
  • Maren Bender
    Maren Bender
    Associate ESG Manager at Verdani Partners
    Maren joined Verdani's Corporate ESG department in February 2022. In her role, she supports client teams in the development of corporate sustainability programs, policies, and reports, and assists with key sustainability reporting and engagement efforts. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science & Sustainability from Cornell University, where she graduated with a concentration in Policy & Governance and a minor in Business.
  • Vanessa Vlasak
    Vanessa Vlasak
    ESG Coordinator at Verdani Partners
    Within Verdani's Corporate ESG department, Vanessa is committed to supporting one of Verdani's largest clients in making meaningful contributions to their ESG program. She has a deep passion for sustainability, developed through her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from The University of San Diego and over two years of experience working in sustainable real estate and clean energy.

Key takeaways