How to successfully incentivize Building for Sustainability
12:30pm - 1:15pm
Panel Discussion
More carrots and less sticks. In an industry guided by multiple levels of regulatory requirements, rules, and precedents, innovation is not easy – it adds time and risk to the planning, design, and construction process, and is often passed over for the tried-and-true approach. But does that always need to be the case? Are there ways to incentivize sustainable development and promote creative thinking to tackle age-old problems? This panel will explore some of the roadblocks to innovation and sustainable development and will use past projects and experiences to illustrate how we might shift our mindsets to start looking for carrots (incentives) to address the challenges of continued growth.
Marissa Koop
Senior Manager, Environmental Planning – B&A Studios
Marissa is a seasoned Environmental Planner with more than 20 years of experience in creating sustainable communities that seamlessly integrate natural features into the built environment. She has a deep understanding of policy, sustainability, and environmental conditions, enabling her to balance conservation efforts with project objectives by incorporating scientific and technological advancements. Marissa’s proficiency in the planning, approval and design process combined with her ability to develop and implement technical assessment and communication tools, such as the B&A Green Compass, ensures strategic and insightful contributions to a diverse array of projects.
Her extensive collaboration with regulatory agencies, municipalities, and developers throughout Western Canada has led to innovative approaches to complex problems, promoting regulatory compliance and sustainable development. Additionally, Marissa’s active volunteer work with industry and academia keeps her at the forefront of relevance and innovation in her field.
Ryan Scott
CEO – Avalon Master Builder
Ryan Scott is the leader of Avalon Master Builder and a second-generation home builder building in Calgary and Canmore. Driven by a passion to build all of Avalon’s homes as Net Zero for no extra cost to the consumer, he leads the way in Canadian green building.
Focused on multi family developments for sale, rental and for others Avalon has expanded to fill the void in sustainable homes in the Calgary marketplace. Ryan is also focused on expanding the awareness of Sustainable homes and has worked with several industry organizations to build the sustainable home of the future today. He has presented on the topic of green building for CMHC, various home Builders associations, and many community groups. Ryan was also instrumental in the development of the Natural Resources Canada Sustainable Housing Technology Roadmap a founding member of the Canadian Home Builder’s Net Zero Committee and past Board member of the Net Zero Energy Coalition. Ryan has also volunteered as the Chair of the Professional Home Builders Institute, Chair of The Alberta New Home Warranty Program, and is a past President of the Canadian Home Builders Association, Alberta Chapter, and past Chair of the New Home Insurance Canada Corporation.
Allan Willms
President and CEO – Modus Structures
Allan Willms was appointed President and CEO of Modus Structures in Q4 2022 and has successfully positioned the business for consistent, predictable growth in each of the markets Modus serves. With over 20 years of executive management experience in the automotive, downstream oil and gas, and manufacturing industries, Allan has led high performing teams to meet or exceed objectives. Creating a culture of safety-first, continual improvement, collaboration and accountability while celebrating successes along the way have been the keys to his success.
Allan’s passion is to develop a multi-generational business that strives daily to move towards “world class”. That journey is enabled through talent acquisition/development, an entrenched culture of “oneness”, extreme customer focus, and disciplined execution. He is a “roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it -done” leader with bias for action.