- March 19-20, 2025
- 10:00 am - 3:30 pm EST
- Virbela Metaverse
Agenda | Net Zero Construction Conference 2025
Explore the sessions, speakers, and topics shaping the future of sustainable construction at NOCC25.
N0CC 2021 SPEAKERS
Help us educate the construction industry on sustainable net zero practices.
11:30 AM
Opening Remarks

Dr. Aali Alizadeh
Co-Founder, President, and CTO
Giatec Scientific Inc
Bio
Dr. Alizadeh has over 15 years of experience in the development and commercialization of technologies related to concrete materials. He brings unique expertise on the durability of concrete at the nano-level, particularly when it relates to infrastructure exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Prior to co-founding Giatec in 2010, Dr. Alizadeh co-established Construction Materials Institute at the University of Tehran, which strives to provide knowledge-based services and eficient technologies to the construction industry as well as to equip engineers of the future with superior skills and expertise in concrete durability, performance, and various technologies.
11:35AM
THE DRIVE TO NET ZERO : GOING FROM "TALKING THE TALK" TO "WALKING THE WALK"

Robert Cumming
Environment & Public Affairs
LaFarge
Bio
Join LaFarge Canada’s Director, Environment & Public Affairs, Robert Cumming as he explores how companies can move from risk management to new business opportunities, the decarbonization of cement and concrete and commercializing a low carbon concrete line.
12:00PM
CANADA'S NET ZERO OPPORTUNITY

Zoë Kolbuc
Vice President, Partnerships
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
Bio
Over the last fifteen years, Zoë has worked in public affairs in business, government and academia. As the Vice President of Partnerships, Zoë provides leadership for SDTC’s strategy to develop partnerships across the country that support entrepreneurs developing innovative technologies. Through support and funding SDTC helps companies advance projects at the critical stages of pre-commercial development and demonstration. The projects we fund have the potential to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, clean air, clean water or clean soil. Through partnerships with governments, not-for-profits and private sector organizations across the country, SDTC is always looking for new ways to help clean technology companies thrive in domestic and global markets.
12:30PM
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES THAT PAY OFF

Ben Everswick
Sustainability Coordinator
Kiewit
Presentation Description
Learn sustainable construction practices that pay off with Kiewit, Sustainability Coordinator, Ben Everswick.
12:50PM
READY MIX PRODUCER PERSPECTIVE TO LOW CARBON CONCRETE

Juan Gonzalez
Manager, Strategic Development & Sustainability
U.S. Concrete, Inc.
Bio
Juan Gonzalez is Manager of Strategic Development & Sustainability for Central Concrete, Right Away Ready Mix, Polaris Materials, and Westside Construction Materials – 4 business units of U.S. Concrete’s West Region. In Sustainability, Juan is pushing the boundaries of innovation, devising multiple strategies to achieve Zero Waste. These strategies include the use of new wash-out processes, producing concrete blocks with left-over concrete, reusing left-over concrete to produce concrete aggregates, and reusing fresh returned concrete through Same Day Stabilization process. He is also in collaboration with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants to help project teams meet embodied carbon goals. Prior to being named Manager of Strategic Development & Sustainability, Juan held several key positions: Sustainability Manager for Central Concrete and Right Away Redy Mix, Project Manager for South San Francisco and San Francisco territories, Customer Service, and QA Laboratory Technician.
1:20PM
CHAIR YOGA BREAK
Circular Economy in Construction – Part 1
1:30PM
SETTING THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE PANEL
Join leaders from across North America as they discuss sustainable construction practices and technology that are revolutionizing our industry today and tomorrow.

Panelist
Dr. Aali Alizadeh
Co-Founder, President, and CTO
Giatec Scientific Inc

Panelist
Andrew Fahim
Senior Director, Research
Giatec Scientific Inc

Panelist
Dr. Phil De Luna
Director, Materials for Clean Fuels Challenge Program
National Research Council of Canada

Panelist
Stacy Smedley
Director, Sustainability, Skanska USA, Executive Director
Building Transparency

Panelist
Dr. Gaurav Sant
Civil, Environmental and Materials Science Professor
UCLA and Founder of CO2Concrete

Panelist
Christie Gamble
Senior Director, Sustainability
CarbonCure Technologies
2:45PM
TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE CONCRETE'S CARBON FOOTPRINT

Lionel Lemay
Executive Vice President, Structures and Sustainability
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Presentation Description
Discover the top ten strategies to take advantage of concrete’s benefits while ensuring the lowest possible carbon footprint.
3:05PM
PROCURE & POWER OF PLATFORM

Raquel Casares Villaverde
Solutions Engineer
Procore Technologies
Presentation Description
How increased efficiency can impact your sustainability initiatives.
3:35PM
Closing Remarks

Dr. Aali Alizadeh
Co-Founder, President, and CTO
Giatec Scientific Inc