Holly Brink is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Arup in Los Angeles. She has a PE license in mechanical engineering and is an ASHRAE BEMP. She is driven by the hope that building industry professionals can make a positive difference in the fight against climate change.
How long have you been a member of IBPSA-USA?
I've been a member since about 2020
Why did you join IBPSA-USA?
I joined because I wanted to learn how building performance simulation could improve my HVAC designs, and the San Francisco Bay Area chapter meeting topics were so relevant. The meetings were the perfect opportunity to learn from the other members -- not only about simulation but also about the career path of a modeler.
What’s your favorite part of being a member of IBPSA-USA?
My favorite part is the educational aspect, but ultimately, I pay for a membership so that I can support the organization and all the great work that it does for our industry.
Can you describe the volunteer work you do with IBPSA-USA?
I'm the Los Angeles area point of contact for IBPSA-USA. I am just getting started in this role, but I'm hoping to reinvigorate the LA Chapter to connect members here.
How did you get involved with this volunteer work?
When I moved to LA from SF during the pandemic, I had a limited network of local colleagues. Since no one was meeting in person, it was difficult to expand that network. Once the pandemic subsided, I started reaching out to IBPSA-USA to find out if there was an LA-metro chapter. Other IBPSA-USA volunteers encouraged me to take on a leadership role, and they have been helping me organize a chapter event. Stay tuned!
To someone who is interested in participating in IBPSA-USA, do you have any words of encouragement?
If you're interested in learning more about participating or volunteering, don't hesitate to reach out to IBPSA-USA members to ask them how to get started. Everyone that I have met has been super helpful and welcoming.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the field of building performance simulation?
I entered the field by learning as much as I could from IBPSA events, helpful colleagues, and project work. My best piece of advice is to seek out a building performance simulation project that interests you and explore it from all angles.
Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you!
I was raised on a family farm in Nebraska.
