Closing The Loop: The Circular Economy of Ventilation
A Climate Week NYC event on the sides of the United Nations General Assembly
Watch the highlight video now!
Training Session Speaker
Szabi Fekete
Szabi Fekete is a BPI certified professional, HERS rater, a Phius verifier and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). He has worked on Zehnder ventilation units for 11 years, and has been an employee of Zehnder America since 2022. Szabi graduated from technical high school as a park ranger in Hungary. He is also a Hungarian Air Force veteran. His high-performance construction interest started with his first IR camera in 2007. From 2008 onwards, he worked for multiple state-, utility- and government-founded energy efficiency programs in multiple states.
His personal motto is :
Never give up!
Panelists
Dr. Chantal Line Carpentier
Dr. Chantal Line Carpentier is currently the Head of the Trade, Environment & Climate Change Branch, International Trade and Commodities Division at the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Dr. Carpentier has consulted to the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Dr. Carpentier obtained her PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, as well as both her MSc. and BSc. in Agriculture Economics from McGill University. Born in Canada, Dr. Carpentier is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and possesses a strong knowledge of Mandarin.
Gonzalo Canseco Gómez
Gonzalo Canseco Gomez, a former Special Advisor to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is Director of global consulting firm onepoint5. He is the former Chair of Mexico’s Committee for the SDGs. At the Mexican Ministry of Finance, he held various positions, including advising the Minister and heading the Unit for International Financial Affairs. He acted as a governor for regional public financial institutions and chaired the Fondo Yucatán. He served as Chief of Staff for the Secretary for Social Development, contributing to a successful National Strategy for Social Inclusion. Canseco holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Oxford, in Literae Humaniores and Economics, Politics, and Philosophy, and pursued a DPhil. in Politics.
Laura Blau
Laura Blau is a seasoned architect and accomplished artist with over 25 years of experience in architectural design, sustainable construction, and the fine arts. As an award-winning painter and sculptor, Laura integrates artistic sensitivity with technical expertise to create spaces that are both aesthetically compelling and environmentally responsible. She is the Principal of BluPath Design, a Philadelphia-based architecture and interior design firm specializing in sustainable, energy-efficient, and Passive House–certified buildings. Laura is a founding member of Green Building United’s Passive House Community and currently serves as Co-Chair of the AIA Philadelphia Committee on the Environment (COTE).
Through her combined work in design, advocacy, and art, Laura is committed to shaping a more sustainable and beautiful built environment.
Â
Crystal Ng
Crystal Ng is Curtis+Ginsberg Architect’s Director of Sustainability. She leads the firm’s commitment to meeting the AIA 2030 Challenge, as well as many of the firm’s Passive House and LEED projects. She has been recognized as one of Crain’s 2020 40 under 40 honorees. Crystal is a nationally recognized expert on sustainable design and is regularly invited to speak and teach about innovations in the field. She has also volunteered her time with Urban Design Forum, Open Architecture Collaborative, Architects Without Borders, and Habitat for Humanity. Crystal received a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Southern California.
In Cho
In Cho, co-founder of ChoShields Studio and the youth education non-profit Passive House for Everyone (PHFE), is a leading advocate for sustainable architecture and education. She designs Passive House projects across NYC and helped strengthen the city’s Energy Conservation Code, advancing decarbonization goals. Through PHFE, Cho empowers youth to take climate action by blending creative arts with hands-on building science, opening pathways into the green economy. She trains professionals and educators, engages with youth K–12 and higher education, including Pratt Institute and Columbia University, and develops curricula that promote building sustainability to shape a built environment that sustains both people and the planet.
Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M.
Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M. is the Marketing Associate at Zehnder America. She has an MBA from Cornell University. Kehkashan is a global influencer, environmentalist, feminist, sustainability expert, TEDx speaker and award-winning author. She is the recipient of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal and the Spirit of the United Nations Award for her work on sustainability. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30, United Nations Human Rights Champion, National Geographic Explorer, and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence. She has spoken at over 500 United Nations and other global fora. Kehkashan has been named one of the Top 100 SDG Leaders in the world. She is a Board Member of the International Leadership Association.