Staff

Sustainable Works is a non-profit environmental education organization. We are a project of Community Partners. We are funded by the City of Santa Monica's Sustainable City Plan, our program participants, grants and donations, and from in-kind services from Santa Monica College. Although our programs are targeted to Santa Monica residents and businesses, our participants represent the greater Los Angeles Area. Sustainable Works is interested in expanding into other cities with a focus on sustainability, resource efficiency or community development.

Garrett Hart, Executive Director

Garrett joined Sustainable Works in August, 2011 as Executive Director.

After a successful career in the entertainment industry, which included eleven years as President of Paramount Network Television, he is pleased to team with the outstanding staff and volunteers to help take Sustainable Works to the next level; expand program offerings, increase the size and scope of the organization, and build the SW brand so that it becomes the first place residents, students and Los Angeles businesses turn to when they want to learn more about sustainability and turn that knowledge into action.

Garrett believes there is no more important mission than being part of the solution that insures our planet survives and thrives for all future generations.

Susy Borlido, Business Greening Program

Susy moved to Los Angeles in 2001 shortly after obtaining her BA in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from the University of Toronto.  Along with 4 years spent working and studying in the UK, extensive travel throughout Europe, and speaking a variety of languages, Susy brings a global perspective on sustainability issues. 

She has helped “green” over 100 businesses and helped develop Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification Program (www.smgbc.org) which was launched in 2006. Susy is Director of Business Greening Program at Sustainable Works and the Green Business Certification Program Coordinator for Santa Monica.

Holli Fajack, Student Greening Program

After earning her BFA in Photography from the College of Santa Fe, Holli left her home state of New Mexico for Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue a career in commercial photography. She found her true calling, however, during the 4 years she worked with Tree Media Group, a Santa Monica based production company focused on social and environmental media. The experience sparked her own commitment to environmental awareness, education and advocacy and she is thrilled that as Student Greening Program Director she has the opportunity to share her passion and enthusiasm with students through the sustainability workshops. Holli has also worked as a Sustainable Works Green Living Workshop Instructor and as an Intern for the City of Santa Monica's 2009 Water Efficiency Program. She is honored to be a part of Sustainable Works' growing team. 

Gina Garcia, Residential Greening Program

Originally from the east coast, Gina has lived in Los Angeles so long she considers herself a native.  Gina came to Sustainable Works as a volunteer with the Residential Greening Program. She taught the Green Living Workshop and then joined the Student Program as a Sustainable Crew instructor.  She took over the position of Student Program Coordinator in the summer of 2009 and elevated the program to a record number of participants in her short tenure. In August 2010, Gina took the position of Residential Program Coordinator, which allows her to continue working in her Santa Monica community to bring issues of sustainability to the forefront.  Gina received a BA in Theater from Montclair State College and a certification in Horticulture from UCLA.  Her passions are gardening, the environment and her family.

Lisa Harrison LEED AP, Marketing Program

Lisa was born and raised in Seattle and lived in New York City for over 12 years before relocating to Los Angeles in the fall of 2002.  Currently, she is working on a Masters in Urban Sustainability in conjunction with managing the Marketing Program at Sustainable Works. Having worked in various business sectors including Graphic Design, Marketing and Production Services, Lisa feels blessed to blend her business acumen with the vibrant Santa Monica sustainable community.

Tamsyn Hunnewell LEED AP, Business Greening Program

Tamsyn has been involved with Sustainable Works since her arrival in Southern California in 2006. A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in environmental engineering, she worked for several years as an environmental engineer on transportation-related projects in New York City.  Prior to moving to Los Angeles she also lived in New Zealand, where she assisted the work of several environmental non-profits including the World Wildlife Foundation’s Climate Change Initiative project. Tamsyn has enjoyed many pristine natural environments in her travels, and she is working to ensure that many others will be able to share these pleasures for years to come.

Jason Hyde, Marketing Program Assistant

Jason has been involved with the online social media and social marketing presence of Sustainable Works since the summer of 2009. A native of California's Central Coast, he graduated from UCLA with a degree in Atmospheric, Oceanic & Environmental Sciences and Geography. After moving to Seattle to complete a certificate program in Geographic Information Systems, he returned to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies in Urban and Regional Planning, with an emphasis on transportation and global warming mitigation. Jason is especially interested in making our transportation systems and urban form more green through the engaged and knowledgeable citizenry that groups like Sustainable Works foster.

Emily Logan, Office Manager

To come.

Edward Pakdaman, Business Greening Program

Edward received his degree in International Business from San Francisco State University. While researching clean technology companies for the US Department of Commerce in San Francisco, Edward’s interest for a more sustainable planet quickly turned into a passion that drove him to apply his first hand knowledge and experience to the Southern California region. Coupling his enthusiasm for sustainability and human interests, Edward delivers an ardent and diverse approach in troubleshooting various environmental issues. He feels honored and fortunate to be a part of Sustainable Works and the Business Greening Department, where all are wholehearted with their work and demonstrate excellent leadership.

Neha Sharma, Executive Assistant

Neha was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to parents who moved here from India. She graduated from Harvard-Westlake High School in the summer of 2009 and started at Santa Monica College in the Fall 2009 semester. Neha first began at Sustainable Works in October 2009 as an office manager intern and was promoted to Executive Assistant in February 2010. Neha's concern for the environment coupled with her interest in people and education has made this a wonderful work experience. Neha feels fortunate to have the opportunity to explore her passions and be a part of the Sustainable Works team. 

Samantha Sommer, Community Sustainability Program

Samantha Sommer received a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies and a MS from the University of California, Davis in Community Development.  While at UC Davis, Samantha worked in various capacities teaching, researching, and writing in the Environmental Science & Policy, Community Development, and Design Departments.  She was a Teacher Associate for the class, Introduction to Sustainability, completed the Education for Sustainable Living Program and worked as a Community Liaison for the John Muir Center for the Environment. She is interested in how land-use impacts the environment and public health and fostering sustainable communities through outreach, education and action.