LEADERS. INNOVATORS. VISIONARIES.
About Us
Sustainability Advisors (SAC) is a Public Benefit Corporation assisting companies, communities, tribal nations, and both profit and non-profit humanitarian organizations to advance sustainable development projects at any level. SAC experts will work across a variety of disciplines to guide our clients step-by-step in making each project safe, reliable and profitable. Our mission is to provide various resources and solutions that make investing in sustainability easier than ever before.
Our Focus & Values
Environment
We want to build a future of renewable energy so we can protect our air, land and water.
Saving Money
Investing in renewable energy is investing in a cleaner world. That's why we do our best to make it easy, reliable and profitable.
Data Driven
Having the right data, technology and team is what separates us from the competition.
Trust
Every relationship we have is built on transparency and trust. At the end of the day, we want what is best for you.
Welcome to The SAC Family!
Executive Team
Kirsten Shaw
PRESIDENT, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
- (480) 310-1055
- kirsten@sustainability-advisors.com
- Kirsten Shaw
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Kirsten Shaw is CEO for Advanced Energy Efficiency & Environmental Quality (AE3Q). She has over 20 years of experience in environmental science and building performance project development and management, including projects to identify measures and implement solutions that improve the energy and water efficiency, health, comfort and durability of homes and businesses in the southwest. She is a Home Energy Rater (RESNET), a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst Certified Professional instructor, and an Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), as well as a member of the national IAQA Green Building committee. She is an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Certified Building Inspector and has also earned an Arizona College Teaching Certificate.
As a wife and mother of two amazing sons, Kirsten brings a working-mother’s perspective to making our communities better places by building and renovating our homes and businesses based on building science. She earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science, and in a previous career was a science teacher for grades 7 through graduate school. While teaching at Arizona State University, she discovered her passion for indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency.
Today as a Green Building General Contractor, Kirsten is focused on improving the quality of new and existing buildings through independent, scientific building diagnostics, and renovations that improve the quality of life of the people living and working in those buildings.
In addition to the hundreds of comprehensive building performance assessments she has performed Kirsten presents workshops at indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency professional conferences nationwide. She also teaches Building Performance Institute Building Analysts and RESNET Home Energy Raters courses.
Heather Szymanski
SECRETARY, business & community development
- (443) 257-6710
- heather@sustainability-advisors.com
- Heather Szymanski
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Heather Szymanski, BPI BA/EP, PDC, Smartscape is an experienced technical executive director, energy auditor and community project organizer focused on advancing sustainability projects, workforce development, education and prosperity. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College with a focus on International Business, Human Resources and Spanish.
The value of energy and water efficiency became clear early on while working with a leading German and Danish process engineering company with clients such as DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, and Merck. Experience with Northrop Grumman and Integrated Access Control Security Companies in the DC area has made building resilience, security and emergency planning an essential element of all her business and community development efforts with SAC.
Heather was a non-profit executive director in Maryland and Arizona for the past 10 years in green building and energy efficiency. She served as a lead energy auditor in the Home Performance with Energy Star Program before helping to found an organization in Arizona to help successfully defend the state energy goal to save 22% by 2020.
Heather has presented at building science conferences like RESNET and National Home Performance. She obtained Building Performance Institute’s Building Analyst and Envelope Professional Certifications, is NABCEP Solar Thermal Trained, has a Permaculture Design Certificate and a University of Arizona’s Smartscape Certification.
Brion Crum
Strategic Advisor
- (480) 881-1906
- brion@sustainability-advisors.com
- Brion Crum
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For over a dozen years, Brion Crum has been advising early-stage, high-growth potential companies involved in manufacturing, software, IT, clean tech, nanotechnology, biotechnology, renewable energy and non-profit endeavors.
One of these high growth companies is Caliber: The Wealth Development Company. Brion is the Senior Vice President of Wealth Development where his primary role is to drive revenue and profitability to all business units and increase shareholder value for their investors.
Brion has been a member of Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce, Valley Partnership, and Arizona Technology Council which allow him to leverage these resources on efforts that will make Arizona a better place to live and do business.
Brion is also a certified ambassador with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and has been educating the business community about the nation-wide “Opportunity Zone” program.