Meet the NYC 2026 Content Committee

Joaquin Font is an energy and sustainability engineer with extensive experience in tackling complex challenges related to net-zero building design. During his tenure at BR+A he has worked on millions of square feet of fossil-fuel free projects doing energy modeling and system optimization. Joaquin holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lafayette College. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, a LEED Accredited Professional, a Certified Energy Manager, and a Certified Energy Auditor.

Crystal Ng is Director of Sustainability at Curtis+Ginsberg Architects. She leads the firm’s commitment to meeting the AIA 2030 Challenge and Material Pledge, including research efforts and ensuring sustainability and resiliency integration on all our projects. Crystal also leads many of the firm’s Passive House and LEED projects. For her dedication to advancing the firm’s research and innovation in sustainable building systems, she was recognized as one of Crain’s 2020 40 under 40 honorees.

Christina Aßmann is a senior architect and building scientist with 18 years of professional experience working on a variety of project types at various firms. Her work embraces design, sustainability, regenerative design, carbon reduction, social justice and the synergy of different high-performance building standards. Christina is passionate about incorporating her sustainability research into her roles as both architect and educator.

Christopher Bland is a Program Coordinator and Asthma Educator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He also serves as the Clinical and Finance Coordinator for the New York State DOH funded New York State Children’s Environmental Health Centers, the first state-wide, publicly funded model for children’s environmental health clinical services in the United States. His expertise lies in evaluation, statistical analysis, and epidemiological research methods.