Sustainable Works

Andrew Schmerl, Business Greening Program Consultant

Andrew provides professional services for the Green Business programs of Sustainable Works. As a volunteer advisor, Andrew is currently assisting with integrating procedures of Santa Monica’s program with the California Green Business Program Network. He has been responsible for creating business case analyses to show the ROI and CO2 savings for recommended electricity and water improvements; summarizing key metrics of the program’s success; and communicating with over 60 Chamber of Commerce members regarding the program. Besides his time with Sustainable Works, Andrew works as a management consultant with Robert Half International. He has 20 years of experience in the delivery of business solutions and services. Andrew holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, as well as a BS in International Economics from Georgetown University. Andrew is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and is pursuing the LEED Green Associate accredidation.

Alicia Holleweg, Development & Marketing Progran Intern

Alicia was born in Europe, but moved to Los Angeles when she was five years old. While pursuing an Associates degree at West Los Angeles Community College, Alicia discovered her passion for design and enrolled in the Art Institute of CA - Los Angeles and will graduate in December 2010 with a B.S. in Graphic Design. Alicia is constantly on the lookout for the latest in design and loves to go out and explore the places that inspire her so much. Alicia seeks out new and innovative ways to implement greener practices in her design work by checking out what other designers are doing. From using 'green printers' to recycling at home, Alicia has been consistently trying to reduce her environmental impact. Since starting with Sustainable Works in May 2010, she has been designing promotional materials and motion graphic videos for the 3rd Annual Fundraiser.

Alyssa Miller, Development & Marketing Program Intern

Alyssa has been with the Development & Marketing Program at Sustainable Works since July of 2010. Alyssa manages the membership database, updates our website, and is overseeing the volunteer team for the September 2010 Annual Fundraiser. Alyssa was born and raised in Reedley, California and moved to Santa Monica to study Graphic Design at The Art Institute of California. Alyssa enjoys traditional illustration, typography, and any print design dealing with music styles. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in December 2010, Alyssa plans to return to the county of Fresno and encourage green graphic design now that she understands how much our world wastes.

Chelsea Roos, Development & Marketing Program Intern

Chelsea Roos is a senior at The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, pursuing a B.S. in Graphic Design. She interns with the Development and Marketing Program by designing promotional materials for the Sustainable Works Fundraiser and creating the fundraiser details on the website. Up until last winter, Chelsea, had never really thought about the concept of Green Design, but after taking a Sustainable Design class she was inspired to change the way she designs. Chelsea has since been taking small steps to build up her green design practices. Paper choice is a big part of this process in addition to using environmentally friendly printers. Chelsea has even implemented sustainability into her personal life by buying fresh produce from local farmers and cutting back on meat, carrying a travel mug everywhere she goes and seeking out products that are made with renewable resources, energy or repurposed goods. Chelsea has also began to plan for a compost pile in her back yard.

Sara Stone LEED AP, Development & Marketing Program Intern

Sara is originally from Boston, where she received her Bachelors in Architectural Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology. She has several years of experience dealing with building design, energy analysis, green product research and LEED project management. Upon relocating to Los Angeles, she has immersed herself in green living and has taken an interested in sustainable community development. As a committed advocate for sustainability, she enjoys collaborating with various non-profits to promote awareness and education.

Daniel Yaffe, Development & Marketing Program Intern

Daniel is a third generation native angelino with a passion for preserving California's natural beauty. While studying Biochemistry at UCLA Daniel was heavily involved in student organizing around environmental and social justice issues. After graduating in 2006 with his BS, Daniel moved to NYC where he spent time as an Industrial Hygenist and was moved to pursue a career in sustainable structural materials after inspecting commerical and residential buildings throughout the city. In addition to Sustainable Works, Daniel is working with the Household Hazardous Waste Facilities and the Dept of Green Chemistry for the City of Santa Monica to gain a better understanding of environmental issues as he prepares for a graduate program in Material Science Engineering.

Jason Hyde, Residential Greening Program Social Marketing Intern

Jason has been involved with the online social media and social marketing presence of Sustainable Works since the summer of 2009. A native of California's Central Coast, he graduated from UCLA with a degree in Atmospheric, Oceanic & Environmental Sciences and Geography. After moving to Seattle to complete a certificate program in Geographic Information Systems, he returned to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies in Urban and Regional Planning, with an emphasis on transportation and global warming mitigation. Jason is especially interested in making our transportation systems and urban form more green through the engaged and knowledgeable citizenry that groups like Sustainable Works foster.

Vahagn Karapetyan, Residential Greening Program Intern

Vahagn received a BA in History with a minor in Public Affairs from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and is currently back at UCLA working towards an MA in Public Policy. Vahagn is interested in policy issues dealing with the environment and transportation. Vahagn has been interning at Sustainable Works since January 2010 and primarily serves as a field representative for the Residential Greening Program. He is involved in projects dealing with community outreach, research of potential grants and sources of funding, and workshop participant questionnaire data analysis. He hopes to enhance his educational experience at UCLA with hands-on experience with the Sustainable Works staff.

Meghan Kavanagh, Residential Greening Program
Alternative Transit Consultant

Meghan is a passionate environmentalist. She is an avid cyclist who is equally comfortable in the saddle wearing a dress and heels or a spandex skinsuit for racing. She is an award-winning writer and worked for several years as a radio news editor. Meghan is also the Green Consultant for SoCalCross.

Claire Soley, Residential Greening Program Intern

Claire Soley has been an intern for the Residential Greening Program at Sustainable Works since February 2010. Claire updates weekly announcements for workshop participants, does research for in-kind donations, and is also researching ways for the residential workshops to expand more into the Greater Los Angeles Area. Claire is beginning her second year at Santa Monica College, and is planning on transferring to a four year university in Southern California.