Sustainability Forum Sofia
World Green Building Week 2023
#BuildingTheTransition.

Senior Chartered Technologist, NPS Leeds, Member of the Climate change working group, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Over a career of three decades, Chris Halligan has been involved with a wide range of architectural projects, leading teams from inception to completion across a wide variety of sectors  including residential, educational, commercial, leisure and institutional spheres. He specialises in Sustainable Design with a particular interest in the use and performance of building materials in respect to the environment. Chris is an accomplished public speaker and presenter having undertaken many guest lectures for industry and media events as well as universities and colleges both in the UK and abroad. He has contributed to numerous printed academic and industry publications has been involved in an advisory capacity to numerous clients including the UK government’s Dept of Work and Pensions, the Dept. of Health and the Foreign Office. He currently sits on the climate change advisory group of CIAT and in June 2023, the third edition of his award winning online “Guide to Building Materials and the Environment,” was published.

President of the sustainability club of St. George school and creator of Green Human Being

As a passionate environmentalist, Lara devotes her time to causes which would help sustain a greener planet. She launched the start-up for biodegradable bamboo diapers “Green Human Being”, initiated a Sustainability Club at her high school and is an activist in causes including circular economy, sustainable food tech, protecting ocean wild life, etc.

The Green Human Being brand of bamboo diapers emerged as an embodiment of her natural aspirations to preserve the nature.

Chairperson of BGBC, Managing Director of Raiffeisen Property Management Bulgaria 

Ms. Welsh is а Chairperson of the Bulgarian Green Building Council as of the beginning of 2023. 

A romanian native, came to Bulgaria in 1998 to consult in the redevelopment and letting Tzum, followed by the development of 4 new office buildings with Raiffeisen Property Holding International.

Founder and board member of the Association of Commercial Buildings Owners, active member of the Bulgarian Green Building Council.

In 2018, Ms. Welsh was awarded “Real Estate Professional of the Year“ at the SEE Real Estate Awards in Bucharest.

System Architect for "Building Automation" solutions for Southeast Europe at Schneider Electric

Mr. Mankov started at the company in 2016, passing through various positions in the building segment, and in his current role he is responsible for 14 countries. Before that, he worked in internship positions in various significant and smaller Bulgarian enterprises. Dimitar graduated from TU Sofia, majoring in "Electrical Engineering and Electrical Equipment", as well as a master's degree in "Automation in the electric power system", and is currently a doctoral student on the subject of "Neural networks and artificial intelligence in the preventive maintenance of buildings" in the Department of "Building Automation".

Technical consultant in Alukoenigstahl 

Dipl. Eng. Dimitrov lived until 1997 in Germany and graduated from high school and specialized as a civil engineer. From 1997 to 2003 studied at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy - Sofia and graduated with a degree in Construction of Buildings and Facilities.

Since 2003 Todor Dimitrov works in the company Alukönigstahl Bulgaria, which is is a licensed importer of high quality aluminum, steel and plastic profile systems for glazing windows, doors, winter gardens, facades and roof structures. For more than 60 years, the company has partnered with SCHÜCO, the world leader in the aluminum and plastic profile systems market, and Jansen, a specialist in steel profile systems. Its program is directed to the highest requirements in the field of construction.

In 2014 Todor Dimitrov specializes in building certification according to the "Passive Buildings" standard and the DGNB system. Currently, eng. Dimitrov is a technical consultant and regularly conducts trainings and seminars for architects and companies in the industry on the topic: "Glazed structures".

Head of Special Projects & ESG Initiatives in Business Park Sofia

Ekaterina Radeva brings nine years of valuable experience in the Business Park Sofia team, where she has excelled in managing tenants' communications. As of the beginning of 2023, she has been appointed as the Head of Special Projects and ESG Initiatives. 

Prior to her role at Business Park Sofia, Ekaterina's dedication to the energy and FMCG sectors in Bulgaria propelled her to create innovative marketing and communication strategies.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Ekaterina has a strong passion for making a positive impact on society. For over six years, she has been in the NGO sector, leading a Bulgarian-based charity foundation aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities. 

Ekaterina holds a degree in Psychology from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. Her vision for the future includes leveraging her marketing expertise to advocate for responsible business practices and champion sustainability initiatives across the industry.

Manager of No Name ARCH 

Arch. Pencheva is leading a design company established in 2007 and focusing on innovations and implementation of various systems and materials in designed buildings and facilities. She has got behind herself multiple designed and managed photovoltaic sites. Her designs consider the the sustainability principles, ecological and innovative construction, ESG and LCA. She offers comprehensive service, namely from pre-project studies leading to the acquisition of the desired property, design and management of the site, to its successful operation.

BGBC Advisory Board member, Development, Marketing and Sales Director at OKOL Lake Park  

Ms, Kanazireva is one of the main engines at OKOL Lake Park -  the largest Golf & Residential Community in Bulgaria, covering an area of 3,000 decares, a space for active living and recreation. The project combines an international IMG golf course, a 5-star Pullman hotel, a center with many amenities, family homes and holiday properties.Born in Samokov, she holds a Master's degree in Tourism from the University of National and World Economy. Since 2009 she has been the certification manager of the BREEAM and LEED sites in Markan, as well as internal auditor of the Integrated System for Quality, Environment, Health and Safety at Work. Since 2012 she is a Managing Director of D.Trust Ltd. - the company specialized in the project development of the new investment projects of Markan Holding. During the 2015/2016 academic year, she took the position of Administrative Director of the American English Academy, an international school in Sofia, part of Markan Holding.

Luxury Business Development Director in Sotheby's International Realty  Bulgaria

Ms.Tzvetanova is a seasoned marketing and business development professional with 10 years of experience in Brand Marketing and luxury portfolio management. As part of Sotheby's International Realty in Bulgaria manages diverse campaigns in local and regional scale. With integrated experience in luxury brand management, business development, client engagement, internal and external stakeholder management, social and communications.

BGBC Advisory Board member, owner of Momerin Awarded BREEAM Assessors 

Is an architect devoted to the development of a sustainable built environment. For the last 15 years, he has been introducing BREEAM in Bulgaria and the region, having led and supported the certification of over 100 buildings and projects. Awarded with the BREEAM COUNTRY FIRST AWARD 2013 LONDON. Andreya has consulted municipalities, schools and ministries in the introduction of ecological architecture. 

He is the initiator and the maker of BRING - The Shelter 2050 at Vitosha.

He is currently leading the creation of the project for sustainable homes Qhome.

Andreya is an active member of the Advisory Board of the Bulgarian Green Building Council.

Counsel at Wolf Theiss Bulgaria

Katerina Novakova is with great experience in regulatory, environmental and natural resources law. Katerina is part of the Wolf Theiss ESG Practice Group, which brings together lawyers from all 13 offices of Wolf Theiss in Central and Eastern Europe, with experience and expertise in all aspects of ESG's impact on businesses. Katerina Novakova has taken part in the drafting of regulatory programmes and energy and environmental legislation in Bulgaria. She is also a key member of the Wolf Theiss Mergers & Acquisitions team, covering regulatory matters. She is highly experienced in advising and representing clients in complex court and arbitration proceedings.

BGBC Board member, Managing Partner of Triple Green Building Group

Arch. Valtcheva-McGee  is with 18 years of experience in sustainable development and green buildings, an expert in key assessment tools in the construction sector, such as: ESG, policy making, planning and leadership. 

Former board member and chair of the USGBC, state of Georgia, Board member and Co-founder and former Chairperson of the BGBC. Managing Partner of Triple Green Building Group, a sustainable building consulting, certification and training company. Arch. Valtcheva-McGee holds two Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design, post-graduate diploma in Business Sustainability and Leadership from Cambridge University. Accredited as a LEED Fellow, LEED BD+C AP, BREEAM International Assessor, DGNB and EDGE auditor. Since 2021, she has been awarded by the European Commission as an official ambassador of the European Climate Act.

Senior consultant sustainability, Risk Advisory, Deloitte Bulgaria

Ms. Georgieva has more than 15 years of experience in sustainability and environmental management consulting for large scale international projects in Bulgaria for  private and public clients.

She is experienced in development and management of environmental and socio-economic impact assessment studies.

And in sustainability reporting according various standards and requirements, incl. EBRD, IFC, GRI etc.  She has vast experience in environmental and social due diligence. 

She has led the collection and analysis of environmental baseline data; analyzing results, assessment of environmental and social impacts and proposing measures, policies and procedures for addressing those. Experience in stakeholder engagement strategies and their implementation, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Worked on decarbonization strategies on national, municipal and corporate level.

Part of Deloitte Europe CSRD(ESRS) and Taxonomy task forces.