Justine Shindak

Energy & Sustainability Manager, BGIS

BOMA Member Since 2023

Being in a room full of like-minded people, sharing stories, observing trends is valuable in more ways than one.

What is your current job title?

I am an Energy & Sustainability Manager for BGIS.

How long have you been involved in the industry?

16 years.

What are some of your responsibilities?

I wear a lot of hats, however to try to summarize my responsibilities, on the project delivery side, I am one of the technical stakeholders for energy and sustainability projects where I provide direction to consultants and contractors through the various project phases. This ranges from supporting the development of business cases, completing life cycle costing analysis, and performing technical reviews on the drawings and specifications. I also develop scopes of work for energy/sustainability projects, and support with capital planning activities. On the operations side, I analyze building energy utility data and support our building technicians with any building automation system troubleshooting questions they may have.

What are some of the benefits you see in becoming a member?

Being in a room full of like-minded people, sharing stories, and observing trends is valuable in more ways than one. Sometimes it’s as simple as meeting someone new and having an engaging conversation; other times it’s meeting up with a contact and brainstorming a solution to a problem during the minutes before a luncheon.

Do you think becoming a member has helped you in your career?

Absolutely! The monthly luncheons provide the space to see familiar faces and make new connections. Again, you never know when a conversation may lead you to a resolution to a problem.

Why did you become a member?

The opportunity to join began at a previous employer, and I’ve been a member ever since.

What’s a valuable piece of advice you’d give your past self?

It’s ok to feel shy, but just remember that if you’ve been invited into a meeting or event, you were invited for a collaborate with the appropriate stakeholders, either on the operations side or project delivery side; in both cases I will provide support throughout the implementation to achieve a successful outcome.

What are some impactful sustainability initiatives you’ve seen successfully implemented in commercial real estate?

In the spirit of “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”, our team has started using smart devices and sensors. Implementing smart water meters and leak detectors has become a simple but effective way to flag unusually high consumption and mitigate large water leaks. Additionally, implementing automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) software allows us to identify anomalies, which in turn help to reduce energy consumption but also minimize equipment wear and tear.

How can BOMA members start making their buildings more energy-efficient, even with limited budgets or resources?

Talk to your building operators; collaborate and allow open dialogue. This may lead to identifying no- and low-cost savings opportunities.