The Net Zero Emerging Leaders grants are given to Oregon architecture and engineering firms to employ students for a 12-week internship. The interns support each firm’s AIA 2030 Commitment—an industry pledge to transform architectural standards toward net-zero buildings.
Energy Trust awarded six grants to the selected firms to offset the costs of employing interns from January to April 2020.
Alyssa Birum
Ankrom Moisan Architecture
Alyssa is from Seattle and is currently in her final year at the University of Oregon, where she will be graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture. Her professional interests are in sustainability and the urban environment. Alyssa is looking forward to understanding more about the 2030 Commitment and what firms are doing to achieve their goals.
Bentley Rager
GBD Architects
Pursuing a career in architecture runs in the family for Bentley, whose architect father helped nurture her desire to work in the profession. Bentley attends the University of Oregon where she will be earning a Bachelor of Architecture and has interests in sustainability and building science. She hopes to eventually use her skills for the betterment of both people and the planet.
Michelle Montiel
Green Hammer
Michelle has a passion for the environment and sustainability and is working toward a Master of Architecture at the University of Oregon. She is interested in learning about energy performance strategies as well as energy modeling, and how they can inform design and reduce energy consumption in buildings.
Alex Smith
Otak
Alex has always enjoyed studying the inner workings of buildings and how they operate, and he has brought this interest to the Oregon Institute of Technology. He is currently studying renewable energy engineering and is looking forward to learning about improving energy efficiency in buildings. His goal is to eventually work as a sustainability coordinator or energy consultant.
Emily Waldinger
Salazar Architect
Emily has been surrounded by architecture professionals her entire life, specifically her grandfather and father, who showed her how architecture can be used to benefit communities. She is pursuing a Master of Architecture at Portland State University and is excited to explore how sustainability can be integrated into the design process of architecture.
Justin Tuttle
SERA Architects
Currently working toward a Master of Architecture at Portland State University, Justin’s professional and educational path centers around people, sustainability and technology. He is eager to gain skills in quantifying net-zero and sustainable practices, as well as learning the pedagogy and practical side of how sustainable design operates within the professional realm.
| Emily Jones, Lauren Zimmermann and Erica Buss Ankrom Moisan Architects | Matt Bray, James Chrisman and Ashley Koger GBD Architects | Erica Dunn and Jon Lundstrom Green Hammer |
| Zaq Dohallow and Amy Scheckla-Cox Otak | Matt Bokar Salazar Architect | David Posada and Mark Perepelitza SERA |