Maria Perez is Gensler's Regional Climate Action and Sustainability Practice Area Leader. With over 20 years of experience as an architect and sustainability director, Maria has a track record of leading ESG design efforts for over 100 million square feet of space, including net-zero projects. She has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor to clients, assisting them in understanding and developing metrics for ESG reporting. Her project experience includes complex facilities, workplaces, mixed-use developments, high-rise buildings, campuses, and corporate projects.

As a LEED Fellow with multiple credentials (BD+C, ID+C, O+M, and ND), WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and a Licensed Professional Architect and Interior Designer in Texas, she is a recognized leader in the industry. Her influence extends to the USGBC Texas Chapter Board of Directors and the USGBC National LEEDv5 Consensus Committee, where she actively promotes green building practices.

Jonathon Matle serves as a Director of a team within the Sustainable Buildings practice, located in Los Angeles. With an extensive background in sustainable design, construction, and operations, Jonathon has established himself as a leading professional in the industry. At JLL, Jonathon manages some of the most complex and wide-reaching programs and projects, as well as leads a team of sustainability professionals.

Jonathon has 13 years of extensive experience includes working on a diverse range of projects, including commercial buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and government
buildings. Jonathon has worked towards the successful certification of over 300 LEED, WELL, and Fitwel projects, totaling over 75m certified square feet. Jonathon's holistic approach to sustainability, coupled with his ability to navigate intricate project requirements, enables him to
provide valuable insights and develop innovative solutions for various stakeholders.
Jonathon holds a Bachelor degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University. He is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), and Operations and Maintenance (O+M). Additionally, he is a WELL Accredited Professional.

Katherine is the head of real estate, facilities, and travel for Technip Energies Americas. With over 25 years of senior leadership experience in finance and real estate, Katherine has successfully developed business strategies and implemented multi-billion joint ventures in US and Asia. She successfully managed multiple real estate projects including the most recent completed TEN Americas' headquarters from Core and Shell, and transitioned TEN Americas headquarters to a new and sustainable, LEED Platinum-standard office space in the Houston Energy Corridor. The project emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and optimization of its operational footprint. Technip Energies’ office upgrade in Houston represents a significant milestone for the city, transforming the workplace into a healthier and more inspiring environment for current and future employees. The project is the first commercial interior endeavor in Houston to target both LEED Platinum Interior Design and Construction and LEED Platinum Operations and Maintenance for existing interiors, setting a new standard for sustainable office space.

Heidi Jones-Huffman is the Design Standards Program Director at NFDC. Her team works across three key areas: developing and maintaining national planning and design tools; standardizing processes for design and construction stakeholders; and leading design initiatives over multidisciplinary business lines. During her tenure, she has led efforts to streamline standards, modernize tools and processes, and improve alignment between Kaiser Permanente’s environmental stewardship goals and LEED certification requirements. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Heidi spent 20 years as a healthcare architect and medical planner. She is a licensed architect in the State of California, a National Council of Architectural Registration Board certificate holder, and a LEED bd+c accredited professional. Heidi received her Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects.

Manjula Bagli is an independent consultant providing grant management and public funding support to companies in the energy sector. In her recent role as the Public Funding Manager-Americas at Technip Energies, Inc, USA, and at Bloom Energy, she provided award management, US federal funding analysis and grant writing support to T.EN business teams, with emphasis on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). During her 10+ years at Development Finance International Inc (www.DFIntl.com), and as practice lead for their Clean Energy Practice, Manjula delivered market growth, stakeholder engagement, and capture of multimillion-dollar energy transition and renewable energy projects in emerging markets for her clients by leveraging funding from the international development Banks such as the World Bank. Manjula started her career as an analyst in the financial services sector in India. She has spent 15+ years living, traveling and working in South East Asia, Africa, India, and about several years working in USA. Manjula recently located to California from the Midwest. She is excited to be one of the founding committee members at WEN California and this year’s President Elect.