Green Collar Jobs: Speakers

Green Collar Jobs: Making a Living, Forging a Better World

September 16, 2020

Moderator 

Elizabeth “Betta” Broad (she/her) is the Director of New Yorkers for Clean Power (NYCP) and has been an organizer for social justice, peace and sustainability for nearly two decades. She organized the major Earth Day festivals in NYC for five years before joining the campaign to ban fracking. While working for Catskill Mountainkeeper she created the RenewableNY program that subsequently received a $1.8 million award from NYSERDA to expand Solarize campaigns across 15 counties. She is one of the co-founders of the New York Energy Democracy Alliance and serves on the board of directors of Citizens for Local Power. A resident of Kingston, she was appointed to the Kingston Climate Smart Commission, Kingston Conservation Advisory Council and the Ulster Climate Smart Committee.

 

Panelists

Ross Gould joined WDI in 2015 and currently serves as Director, Energy and Climate Program. Ross assesses the impact that energy policy, sector trends, and emerging technologies have on the workforce to drive conversations about energy workforce development. He also tracks areas of opportunity within the energy sector where new employment is likely and workforce development needs are anticipated. Ross travels throughout New York State to obtain ground level intelligence about the state’s energy workforce, the hiring demands of employers, and training programs.

Max Levitzke (he/him) leads the Green Workforce training program at Solar One, a non-profit organization fostering urban sustainability and resilience through innovative education, training, and technical assistance. He has had a passion for renewable energy since he was teenager and has done various work and research related to climate change, electric vehicles and the shift away from fossil fuels. Previously, Max worked in program management and operations at a renewable energy education start-up. He’s found great fulfillment in turning his excitement for renewables into a career that continues pushing for the growth of the clean energy industry through education, as well as providing those in need with sustainable job opportunities. Max has a degree in Environmental Science and Business from the University of Missouri.

Aram Marcelle (he/him) is the Alumni Training and Advancement Manager at Green City Force (GCF), which trains young leaders from low-income housing communities to power a green and inclusive economy through service. He has nearly a decade of experience in green workforce development. Previously, Aram was a Team Leader  of various service projects across NYC related to energy efficiency, urban agriculture/horticulture, and zero waste. Before joining GCF, Aram worked as a Program Manager for Envirolution’s community energy efficiency consultant program, the Win-Win Campaign. Aram holds an M.S degree in Urban Sustainability from City College, and a B.A in Corporate Communications with a minor in Black studies from Baruch College. He is a USGBC certified instructor for GPRO Fundamentals and Operation and Maintenance, a BPI certified Building  Analyst, Envelope Professional, and Multifamily Building Operator.

 

About 350Brooklyn

350Brooklyn works to counter climate change and achieve climate justice through local action. We promote sustainable energy, oppose the fossil fuel industry, and educate and activate our community. 350Brooklyn is a local affiliate of 350.org, a global grassroots organization. For more information visit https://350brooklyn.org/.

About Brooklyn Library

Brooklyn Public Library is the nation’s sixth largest library system and among the borough’s most democratic civic institutions. BPL offers 72,000 free programs a year for people from all walks of life—immigrants learning a new language, students preparing for college, older adults seeking companionship, aspiring entrepreneurs launching their dreams, children discovering the world, and people of all ages exploring arts and culture. And BPL provides patrons over 3 million opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the discovery of a good book.

 

Climate Wednesdays will be on hiatus until the spring of 2021. Stay tuned for an upcoming newsletter about the launch of Climate Check: Stories and Solutions, a new podcast from 350Brooklyn. Â