About GAIA
Story
Team
Working At GAIA
Firm Bio
Story
-
1st LEED Speculative Commercial Project
Before founding GAIA, Ryan held the position of Development Project Manager and Sustainability Coordinator at Yorkshire Development, where he played a pivotal role in pioneering sustainable building practices.
Under his leadership, the Tricom Building in Pasadena became the world's first LEED-certified speculative commercial building (and the 30th LEED-certified building in California). -
Today,
GAIA has provided services on over 700 buildings across the U.S.
Guided by collaborative partnerships, we drive the transformation of the built environment into resilient landscape, fostering enduring value and sustainable stewardship.
-
Who We Are
• Accredited professionals in LEED, BREEAM, WELL, Fitwel, and Living Future
• Owner’s Reps for solar and sustainability
• Members of USGBC chapters, ASHRAE, LABC
• Educators at conferences and universities
• Urban farmers and permaculturists
• Policy change-makers
• Artists, activists, and outdoor enthusiasts -
Social & Environmental Impact
As a mission-driven company, we are actively involved in community programs that demonstrate responsible land stewardship, empower human equity, foster food security, and advance health and wellbeing.
Each year, we volunteer with and donate money to nonprofit organizations and sponsor fundraisers.
Team
-
Ryan McEvoy
Principal and Founder
Linkedin -
Chris McKinley
Principal
Linkedin -
Grant Waldron
Director, Sustainability Strategy
Linkedin -
Francie von Tempsky
Director, Finance, Operations, HR
Linkedin -
Jennifer Lo
Director, Marketing
Linkedin -
Laia Gimeno
Lead Building Performance Analyst
Linkedin -
Robert Fernandez
Project Manager
Linkedin -
Alex Stellato
Sr. LEED & Sustainability Project Manager
Linkedin -
Justin Mitchell
Sr. Commissioning Provider
Linkedin -
Alejandro Manilla
Commissioning Provider
Linkedin -
Elena Sviatoslavksy
Associate Project Manager
Linkedin -
Taylor Goto
Associate Project Manager
Linkedin -
Marina Filatova
Strategic Operations and Efficiency Manager
Linkedin -
Pablo Millberg
Permaculture Manager
Linkedin
Working @ GAIA
GAIA is part of Living Future’s JUST program, a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations, including how they treat their employees and where they make financial and community investments.
Employee benefits include:
✓ Quarterly and annual profit-sharing bonuses
✓ 401K with employer contributions
✓ Medical, dental, and vision insurance
✓ Project completion bonuses
✓ Paid Time Off: vacation, holidays, volunteering, sick
✓ 9/80 work schedule and flexible work environment
✓ Educational, wellness, and research reimbursement package
✓ Solar program for employees’ homes
✓ Attend in-person industry events
Firm Bio
Since 2005, GAIA has been at the forefront of sustainability initiatives in the real estate industry. Founding Principal Ryan McEvoy made history with the world's first LEED speculative building for commercial and industrial use in Pasadena, California.
Our team is dedicated to helping developers and architects create high-performance buildings and gain a competitive advantage in their market. With our vast project experience in REITS, industrial portfolios, lifestyle hospitality, multifamily, retail, and higher education, GAIA is leading decarbonization efforts across the built environment—from development through operations —to create more resilient properties with greater long-term value.
GAIA has become a trusted name in the industry. Our reputation for hands-on project management and track record of certifying over 500 buildings earned us recognition as a LEED Proven Provider by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), solidifying our position as a sought-after partner in sustainability consulting.