Our Team
The Think Tank
Nitin Dani
President
Professional Background: Bachelor of Architecture, Bangalore, India & Masters in Strategic Design, Milan, Italy
Why Green or Why do I care?
All around us we have governments and economies pushing for GDP growth by encouraging greater consumption among the masses. Sustainable thinking is the need of the hour to educate people to consume only as much as is required. Healthier cities, lifestyles and habits are essential to reducing our impact on the environment. Green is about awareness, about building an attitude and about action.Contact and further info
Irving Steel
Membership Director
Professional Background: Social Entrepreneur with living experiences in USA, France, and China
Why Green or Why do I care?
After graduating from the University of Georgia, my mom and I went off on a cross-country road trip starting in Connecticut and going all the way to Los Angelas. In Los Angelas my dad joined us and we drove back together. We were able to experience over 10 National Parks full of immense natural beauty. I was and continue to be overwhelmed by these landscapes.
Ashley Fernandes
Project Director
Professional Background:
International transportation and logistics professional with diverse experience in customizing supply chain solutions for clients across India & the Middle East
Why Green or Why do I care?
From the invention of the wheel to weapons of destruction; the last few centuries has seen man progress at break neck speed. But at what cost? How long can our planet sustain this brutal attack on our fragile environment? That’s why I believe that if each one of us does our bit by adopting small changes to our lifestyles, we can bring about this revolution. The clock is ticking, we need to act soon…
Adina Deacu
Strategy Director
Background:
BA and MA in Urban Planning at 'Ion Mincu' University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest, RomaniaWhy green or Why do I care?
As an urban planner with extensive experience in communication and business in the corporate world, I realized that, even if the two should go hand in hand, there is still a gap starting from people's mentality, fear of change or exiting the confort zone (to make it really simple). The key here are the people, no matter the culture, background or nationality or if we are talking about governments, political parties, companies etc, and whether we understand that the change lies in every one of us. As an individual, I made my decision.Contact and further info
Advisory Board
Victoria Hajjar
Director of Operations, Urbn Hotels and Resorts
Victoria Hajjar is the Director of Operations at URBN Hotels and Resorts and SPACE Development in Shanghai. Victoria joined URBN hotel as a Marketing Manager in April of 2009 and since then has been promoted to Marketing Director and again to Ops Director. With the company, Victoria has helped URBN Hotel win countless awards and accolades with over 1,000 articles published around the world. She has also helped URBN Hotel earn a spot on Conde Naste Traveler's top 100 hotels around the world for two years in a row. Victoria is responsible for marketing and Sales and oversee's all of the hotel's departments.
Contact and further info
Jason Inch
Strategy Consultant, Writer and Professional Speaker
Jason Inch holds an MBA from Canada’s Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario) and also attended one of China’s top business schools, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai. He also holds a BA in Asian Studies from the University of Victoria (Canada), one of the premiere programs in Canada for China studies. He speaks Japanese, Mandarin, and English as a result of his educational and work background.
Jason is the author of the 2012 book, China's Economic Supertrends. He is also co-author of the 2008 book, Supertrends of Future China, and also writes the China Supertrends blog.Contact and further info
Matthew Koon
Consulting Manager at Tractus Asia
Matthew Koon is a Consulting Manager based in Tractus Asia Shanghai office where he manages consulting projects and oversees the company’s business incubator clients. In his previous work, he has advised clients on market entry strategies, investment attraction, and government regulations and incentives.
Prior to joining Tractus, Mr. Koon worked as managing director for a research-consulting firm where he authored and edited a number of publications for organizations such as UNESCO and the Chinese Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. Mr. Koon holds a MAIS and certificate in Trade, Transportation, and Logistics from the Jackson School at University of Washington. He is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Contact and further info
Joan Zhou
Sustainability Green Building Consultant, AECOM China
Joan Zhou is the Sustainability Green Building Consultant at AECOM China Building Engineering. Joan has over twelve years experience in architectural design, interior design and green building experience and is commited to green building practice.
Working as architect, green building consultant and project manager, she has been involved in dozens of projects related to LEED, BREEAM, and National green building rating system.
Her recent research is related to sustainable cities, low-carbon cities, green technologies of large public hub and impact of sustainable technologies impact on Sociology, including operational phase of national green building system (for Shanghai Science and Technology Committee), affordable housing in Shanghai, Green Rating System comparison, etc. She also participated in the preparation of the China Environmental Green Paper in 2011.
Contact and further info
Brian Wang
Founder & Chief Planner at WoiGreen
Brian has studied and worked in Barcelona, and was interviewed and reported as News People by 'EXPANSION', the biggest financial media in Spain. He has also served as a Senior Director in Multinational Corporations and has been Veteran Media Person for years. Brian has vast experiences in Global Investment, Consultancy, Management and Marketing Operation.
Contact and further info
Richard Brubaker
Managing Director, Collective Responsibility & Visiting Professor at CEIBS
Richard is the Managing Director of Collective Responsibility and a Visiting Professor of Sustainability at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), where he is focused on building platforms that promote long term organizational capacity to address the economic, environmental, and social hurdles that China faces as the country’s economic growth accelerates.
Richard holds a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee with the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai for three consecutive years.Contact and further info
The Specialists
Leonardo Losoviz
Technology Manager
Professional Background:
Undergraduate in Computer Science, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Master’s in Teaching Chinese Language Overseas, Jilin University, China.
Why Green or Why do I care?
I want to do the right thing. We are destroying this planet, this must change. I have the need to make something about it. Waiting is not an option anymore; it is the time to get involved and change things for the better.
Contact and further info
Isadora Bell
Communication Managaer
Professional Background:
Student at Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade, major in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language(business direction)
Why Green or Why do I care?
Green career should be treated as a lifelong commitment. Multiple environmental problems have been exposed constantly such as air pollution,food safety issues,portable water tests and so on. It is really a time that we strived to commit ourselves for a greener environment as much as we can.
Izy Weng
Marketing Manager
Professional Background: Bachelor of English at Ningbo University
Why Green or Why do I care?
I care about green because I care about the people around me. The environment affects us – it affects our health, our happiness, and our future. I think it is important to make sure that the actions we take today ensure that the society tomorrow is as happy, or happier, than the society of today. It worries me to see the news about things like air pollution, waste, human health hazards of coal, etc. since I was young I would make sure that I did not waste food and would try to reuse when I could. Every small action makes a difference. Working at green drinks is a way for me to support small actions from many people to make a bigger difference.
Jing Xie
Project Leader&Content Manager
Professional Background:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Design from University of Massachusetts Amherst; worked for international architecture firms based in Beijing and Shanghai for the past two years.
Why Green or Why do I care?
The rapid economic development in China has blessed people with opportunity and prosperity, although at the same time brought forth unprecedented environmental and social issues. People cannot simply seek the quick way to their desire, but the right way instead, because everyone suffers for the harsh consequences resulted from lack of awareness and indifference. At GDC, let’s toast to life with new friends, and make change to improve public well being.
The Invaluable Support
Jing Liu
Social Media Manager
Professional Background: Currently pursuing BS Finance in Tongji University. Interested in green tech, TMT, and design.
Why Green or Why do I care?
Green is growing into a concept that penetrates into every link in our world: design, engineering, business, science - you name it! It is not only about planting trees or using public transport, but also about a lot of fascinating, even surrealistic ideas, that makes the world more sustainable in a fun and witty way. I love GDC for being the platform that links those crazy and extraordinary ideas and gives life to the passion of individuals.Contact and further info
Martina Tao
Volunteer
Professional Background: Undergraduate at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, pursuing B.E. Energy and Power Engineering.
Why Green or Why do I care?
How to be green? Just keeping it as a concept in the mind is obviously not enough. What GDC is doing now is trying to maximize its efforts for environmental protection. The passion of the people and volunteers involved, apart from GDC’s mission arouses my conscience, thus making me action to make change happen. So I chose to start here by helping in the few ways that I can and can’t wait to contribute and push more.
Anna Walsh
Web Content Manager & GDC Suzhou Organizer
Professional Background: Account Manager - GIGABASE.ORG
Why Green or Why do I care?
There are many positive and informed ways to create an impact in any community, and in China people are doing them all. We invite you to take part in our community of volunteers and green-minded friends.
Kelli Cromsigt
Designer
Professional Background: Bachelor of Arts and Professional Studies at San Diego State University, CA.
Why Green or Why do I care? Right now, in China we have the chance to be at the right place at the right time during this crisis in Earth’s history. Although our presence as people is only a small dent in the timeline, our dent is dirty and destructive. It’s extremely important to instil positive change in such a society to help secure a better future for everyone and everything.Contact and further info
Jamie Yu
Volunteer
Professional Background:
Teacher and Educator of both young Children and adults. I Worked in Moscow and New York City to promote group culture exchange and language learning.
Why Green or Why do I care?
A sustainable mindset is crucial for the security of our future and for the future of our children. It is my goal and passion to contribute the green movement by imparting these values to our youth, for they are where true change will occur.
Mallory Combemale
Partnerships & Outreach Manager
Professional Background: Undergraduate at the University of Virginia, pursuing B.A. Global Development Studies. Studying Chinese and also spent last summer interning in Shanghai.
Why Green or Why do I care? Now, people are really beginning to galvanize behind the idea of sustainable and environmentally responsible development in China. The GDC concept ‘from drinks to links’ really struck a chord with me. Green Drinks is harnessing the growing energy behind the sustainable movement, connecting people to make positive change happen. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to such an ambitious and dynamic organization.
Jun-E Tan
Designer and Volunteer
Professional Background:
Bachelor of Information Systems Engineering, Master of Public Policy, PhD in Communication.
Why Green or Why do I care?
Because I believe that the environmental problems that we have are
much too big for individuals to handle, and only through connecting
people and exchanging ideas can we bring about the change that the
world desperately needs.
We are group of committed, passionate individuals, from different backgrounds, with different interests, but we all think that we can make a difference in this world for the better.
If this sounds like you, you can be part of our team. Please check our list of current Open positions, or just Contact us. Everyone is welcome to contribute and take action!
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