April 16, 2025 5:00 - 8:00 pm PDT
Join us for this screening of a groundbreaking documentary on women transforming construction while combating climate change. These visionary women are on a quest to inspire change for a sustainable planet through a comprehensive examination of low-carbon building materials and technologies — ranging from algae-based alternative cement and electrified manufacturing to mass timber and greener steel. Their innovative work places them at the core of decarbonization, human health and economic opportunity. Directed by Basia and Leonard Myszynski, “Women of Carbon” shares their empowering journeys and collective vision for a better world.
Experience a personal glimpse into the Portland International Airport Main Terminal expansion, the largest mass timber structure ever undertaken. An intimate behind-the-scenes look is narrated by ZGF architect Rena Simon, local family foresters and Yakama Nation representative Cristy Fiander. Gain insights from leading voices in the industry, including top CEO Leah Ellis, renowned architects such as Susan Jones, and experts in mass timber and sustainable materials such as Erica Spiritos. Also featured are leaders from major sustainability initiatives and professors pushing the boundaries of construction technology, such as Kate Simonen and Mija Hubler.
The event will start with a social mixer and networking with light refreshments at 5:00 pm, the film screening at 6:00, followed by a panel discussion with female leaders featured in the movie and local leaders in the California Bay Area, see the panel below.
This event is free and hosted by UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment. Registration is required.
Location and Registration
The event takes place at 112 Wurster Hall, Berkeley, CA. Registration in advanced is required.
Speakers and Presentations
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Kate Simonen (panelist)
Professor of Architecture, University of Washington; Founder & Board Chair, Carbon Leadership Forum; Head of Life Cycle Lab
Kate is licensed as an architect and structural engineer. She connects significant professional experience in high performance building design to technical expertise in environmental life cycle assessment. She is globally recognized for her impact advancing embodied carbon data, methods and policy as well as inspiring and empowering collective action in the building sector. Kate is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, an honorary fellow of the UK’s Institution of Structural Engineers, was named Engineering News Record Top 25 Newsmaker in 2020 and received Architecture Record Women in Architecture award in 2024.
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Stacy Smedley (panelist)
Vice President of Product Impact, ERG
With over two decades of environmental leadership, Stacy Smedly is keenly focused on helping organizations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental performance across the lifecycle of end products and supply chains. At Building Transparency she the development of the EC3 Tool (Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator) an open-source platform and database that enables the building industry to make informed, actionable decisions about reducing embodied carbon in construction materials, as well as Tally, a whole building life cycle assessment tool. These tools are helping reshape how stakeholders — from architects to contractors — evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of their projects.
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Frances Yang (panelist)
Associate Principal, Americas Circular Economy Lead, Arup
As leader of the sustainable materials practice in the Americas region of Arup, Frances has extensive experience in leading projects towards lower carbon, more sustainable and healthier outcomes. Combining her expertise in structural engineering, materials and advanced used of life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools, she has helped numerous projects aggressively drive down embodied carbon. Frances served on the Carbon Leadership Forum Board, vice-chaired the USGBC Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group and the Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment, and co-founded the All for Reuse initiative. She has co-authored numerous papers, articles, plus policy and design guidance documents, published and referenced by the AIA, LEED, ILFI and other respected standards.
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Gail Brager (moderator)
Director of the Center for Environmental Design Research; Distinguished Professor of Architecture, UC Berkeley
Gail Brager serves as director of the Center for Environmental Design Research, and associate director of the Center for the Built Environment at UC Berkeley. She conducts research and teaching across multiple dimensions of design, operation, and assessment of buildings with a focus on thermal comfort and adaptation, occupant well-being, natural ventilation, and personalized environmental control. Among her many service activities, Dr. Brager was the founding chair of the Research Committee of the US Green Building Council. She is also an ASHRAE Fellow and past president of the Golden Gate ASHRAE Chapter.