Biomimicry Co-Labs

Bedari Collective, New York, New York
Senior Associate

Kirstin Weeks is Principal of Bio Studio, bringing experience as an energy and building ecology specialist. Her work focuses on creating sustainable, resilient environments where people and nature thrive together.

The Biomimicry Institute, Sydney, NSW
CEO

Amanda Sturgeon is an architect, author, and leader in regenerative design. Her work focuses on connecting people and nature through design, addressing climate change and biodiversity loss through regenerative approaches that create positive outcomes for both society and nature.

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Director, Biobased Materials Lab

Anna Dyson is the Hines Professor of Architecture at Yale Schools of Architecture and Environment, directing the Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture. Her work focuses on developing architectural systems that handle energy, water, and materials in innovative ways, collaborating across disciplines to integrate natural processes into building design.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., San Francisco, California
Global Principal

Chris Allen has been a leader in sustainability for more than 30 years at Jacobs, working on environmental and economic solutions. An early innovator in biomimicry, he served as CEO of Biomimicry 3.8 and continues to focus on sustainable engineering solutions.

SHoP Architects PC, New York, New York
Founder

Christopher Sharples is a founding principal of SHoP Architects, focusing on public realm projects and next-generation environmental and materials systems. His current work concentrates on revolutionary building models that embrace bio-based material systems and process-driven innovation.

Arup Group Limited, San Francisco, California
Americas West Energy Leader

Cole Roberts is the Americas West Energy Leader at Arup, focusing on urban energy and sustainability. He integrates sustainability and regeneration across the built environment, working on climate-responsive engineering, energy transition planning, and decarbonization policy.

U.S. Green Building Council/ Green Business Certification Inc., Washington, DC
SITES Director

Danielle Pieranunzi is the SITES Director at the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. Since 2006, she has worked across sectors to develop the guidelines, metrics, and rating system behind SITES certification for sustainable land development. Her work focuses on advancing nature-positive outcomes in the built environment—supporting resilience, biodiversity, decarbonization, resource conservation, public health, and community well-being.

Mithun Architecture, Seattle, Washington
President

Dave Goldberg is an Architect and President of Mithun, an integrated design practice that has been recognized with 9 National AIA COTE awards, and the 2023 National Firm Award. Dave’s leadership at the practice extends to hands-on roles on mission-driven projects at a wide range of scales from individual buildings to campuses and large scale development plans – all with a focus on education, sustainability, and connecting users to nature.

International Living Future Institute (ILFI), Seattle, Washington
Vice President of the Community department ILFI, TBI Board Member

Erin Rovalo is Vice President of Community at ILFI, overseeing education, events, network, and publishing. She has been a leader in sustainable design and nature-positive solutions since 2004, combining experience in green building and nature-inspired innovation with academic research.

Heatherwick Studio, London, UK
Senior Associate & Project Leader

Francis Ng is a Project Leader at Heatherwick Studio in London, bringing architectural expertise from roles at McGill University and McFarland Marceau Architects. His work at Heatherwick Studio contributes to their innovative approach to architecture and design.

COOKFOX Architects LLP, New York, New York
Associate Partner & Director of Communications

Jared Gilbert is Associate Partner and Director of Communications at COOKFOX, working at the intersections of sustainability, architecture, urbanism, and social justice. His research and writing focus on biophilic design and its impact on cities.

Earthwise Design, Portland, Oregon
Principal, Founder, Senior Design Leader

Jeff Roberts is Principal, Founder, and Senior Design Leader of Earthwise Design. As a licensed architect across multiple states, he brings sustainable design expertise to diverse regions. He is LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design + Construction and a Construction Documents Technologist.

The Biomimicry Institute, Bozeman, MT
Head of Programs

Jenélle Dowling is Head of Programs at the Biomimicry Institute, bridging science, education, and community engagement. With a Ph.D. in behavioral ecology, she leads program development and supports her team using nature-inspired approaches. Her career spans managing citizen science initiatives and scaling science policy organizations, bringing research expertise to mission-driven work across academic and nonprofit sectors.

Design Ecology, Sonoma County, California
Founder

Josiah Cain is a landscape architect and ecological design consultant with over two decades of experience working at the nexus of ecology, infrastructure, and urban design. He previously served as Principal and Director of Innovation at Sherwood Design Engineers and co-owns Green Valley Farm + Mill, a 172-acre working farm and regenerative land-use project in Northern California.

BioStudio LLC, San Rafael, California
Principal

Kirstin Weeks is Principal of Bio Studio, bringing experience as an energy and building ecology specialist. Her work focuses on creating sustainable, resilient environments where people and nature thrive together.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Los Angeles, California
Partner

Leon Rost is a Partner at Bjarke Ingels Group, leading the firm’s west coast office in Los Angeles since 2023. He has directed major projects including Google’s 3.1 million square foot Silicon Valley campus and headquarters, along with institutional work for Johns Hopkins University, Claremont McKenna College, and other distinguished clients. His practice spans from building design to urban-scale projects like the Athletics Ballpark district and Toyota’s prototype Woven City, with a focus on sustainability, technology, and public realm innovation.

Ramboll Group, Cambridge, UK
Global Head of Sustainability for Buildings

Lora is the Head of Sustainability for Ramboll’s Global Buildings Business, where she leads the operationalisation of Ramboll’s Strategy and provides leadership in sustainability practice across Ramboll’s engineering, architecture and advisory services. Lora brings over 20 years of experience in property, built environment and sustainability across UK, Europe, USA and the Middle East.

Independent Consultant/Practice, Los Gatos, California

Mary Davidge is an independent environmental advocate and former Director of Global Design for Real Estate and Workplace Services at Google. Her work focuses on creating places that foster both human and environmental health, bringing extensive experience from architecture and design firms in Silicon Valley.

Snøhetta, New York, New York
Director

Matt McMahon is a Director of Landscape Architecture at Snøhetta, bringing interdisciplinary expertise spanning biology, landscape architecture, and architecture. His work focuses on the intersection of context and scale, history and time, often engaging overlooked landscapes through design. He currently leads the design of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND, and has directed projects including the Blanton Museum of Art and Willamette Falls Riverwalk. With twenty-six years of professional experience across leading firms, Matt draws upon ecological and architectural knowledge to create designs that bridge disciplines and connect people to place.

Exploration Architecture Ltd., London, UK
Global Head of Sustainability for Buildings

Michael Pawlyn established Exploration in 2007, focusing on regenerative design and circular economy principles. He brings experience from his work on the Eden Project, where he led design of the Warm Temperate and Humid Tropics Biomes, and continues to work with design teams to implement nature-inspired solutions in architecture.

Second Nature Ecology + Design, San Francisco, California
Principal and Founder

Robin is an urban ecologist and Founding Principal of Second Nature Ecology + Design. He collaborates with designers, developers, sustainability leaders, and local communities to bring the beauty and functional benefits of nature into innovative projects that make our cities better, healthier, and more resilient places. His work has been featured in a UN-Habitat Global Urban Lecture and covered by media from NPR to The New York Times. Recently, he collaborated on the integration of biodiversity at the award-winning St. John’s Terminal in Manhattan.

World Economic Forum LLC, San Francisco, CA
Lead, Sustainability and Resilience Urban Transformation

Sarah Franklin brings over a decade of experience advancing decarbonization and resilience strategies in cities globally. Her work focuses on bringing public and private sectors together to create more resilient, adaptive, regenerative, and circular urban environments. She specializes in bridging policy development with practical implementation to drive transformative change in urban sustainability.

The Biomimicry Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Director of Innovation

Sarah McInerney is Director of Innovation at the Biomimicry Institute, managing the Ray of Hope Accelerator Program supporting a portfolio of over 50 nature-inspired startups addressing our most pressing environmental challenges. With a Ph.D. in integrated bioscience focused on biomimicry in corporate sustainability, she has provided innovation and professional development training services across multiple sectors. Her background in zoology and wildlife conservation informs her approach to implementing biomimicry solutions for positive environmental, social and behavioral change.

Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK), San Francisco, California
Director, Regenerative Design

Sean Quinn is Director of Regenerative Design at HOK, leading their global regenerative design practice. He brings two decades of experience in performance-based sustainable design and biomimicry to planning and design projects worldwide.

Common Current, San Anselmo, CA
President/ Founder

Warren Karlenzig is President of Common Current, a global consultancy for urban sustainability planning, policy, and development. He has worked with national governments, major cities, and international organizations including the United Nations, White House Office of Science and Technology, and various ministries in China. As co-author of the UN’s Shanghai Manual for sustainable urban development and author of “How Green is Your City?”, he brings extensive expertise in sustainability metrics and implementation strategies. His work spans three continents, focusing on creating practical pathways for cities to become more resilient and regenerative.