​​Richard Leigh is a Visiting Professor of Physics at Pratt Institute, teaching courses in climate change, building science, and energy systems. Formerly Director of Research at the Urban Green Council, his work included building energy use data, low emission futures, building code development, and worker education. Active in the field of energy efficient engineering and systems studies for over twenty years, he holds a PhD in Physics and is a Professional Engineer and a LEED AP.  

Emily Baumbach is a Senior Sustainability Consultant with Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3), operating as an Account Manager with the NYC Accelerator focused on conducting outreach to existing affordable housing in NYC. Emily previously engaged properties located in Westchester County for the 2021 Con Edison Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (MFEEP) to implement energy efficiency measures in their buildings. 

Prior to her time at KC3, Emily worked as a Program Coordinator for a National Estuary Program (NEP) where she was responsible for collecting and reporting information for NEP compliance as well as stakeholder engagement. She also served as the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Ambassador for the Greater Philadelphia Area/Delaware River Watershed working with communities in Philadelphia, PA; Chester, PA; Camden, NJ; and Wilmington, DE to restore and reconnect urban communities to their local waterways.

José Tulio Gálvez Contreras is a Senior Solar Program Manager and Researcher at Solar One. He joined the organization in the spring of 2019 to assist with project management and develop research on solar for affordable housing in NYC. He is culminating his doctoral studies in Public and Urban Policy at The New School for Public Engagement. His dissertation focuses on the intersection of just transitions and energy democracy. José holds two master’s degrees, one in public and urban policy and one environmental law and policy. He brings over a decade of expertise in sustainability planning, small business development, community organizing, and political engagement. José enjoys nature, meditation, martial arts, dancing, food, and new friends and adventures. He is creative, community-oriented, and extremely passionate about making a difference in the world

Mike is responsible for supporting the work of the Tishman Center by liaising with offices and departments throughout the university and implementing projects that advance The New School’s commitment to sustainability and environmental justice. Before joining the TEDC team, He worked at Elevate Energy, organizing around creating equity in the energy efficiency market. He obtained his Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from The New School and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in Psychology, with a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and was a 2019 Urban Design Forum Forefront Fellow and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Delta Institute, an environmental non-profit.

Haym Gross has practiced as a registered architect for over 30 years, providing design and planning services to realize a diverse range of complex projects of varied scale for commercial, residential and institutional clients. 

Sustainability has long been at the center of Haymʼs work. He has been engaged in projects to integrate renewable energy technologies into a range of buildings including solar PV and solar thermal projects for multi-family residential properties. Haym has worked on a solar+storage project to install systems for emergency power and resilience at community facilities in flood-prone areas of New York City. 

Haym is the founding member of the NYC 2030 District, a partnership of stakeholders which has established a dedicated urban sustainability district, accelerating progress to confront climate change.