Zeyneb Magavi

Executive Director at HEET

Greater Boston Contact Info
2K followers 500+ connections

Join to view profile

About

HEET is committed to cutting emissions through transformative systems change. We are currently focused on designing a strategic evolution of aging gas systems into bidirectional ambient thermal grids, with the aim of driving rapid and equitable decarbonization of heating and cooling in urban areas.

A 2019 BuroHappold feasibility study of my GeoMicroDistrict concept won a national APA award and multiple utilities proposed to demonstrate this networked geothermal approach. In Massachusetts there are now six installations funded with five of these in regulated gas utilities. Many more coming in New York, Colorado, and throughout the U.S..

We launched the LeGUp (Learning from the Ground Up) research team to learn as much as possible from the first installs. Including how to optimize the street scale installations (formerly known as GeoMicroDistricts), how to interconnect them to grow a utility managed network of thermal energy, and how to maximize positive outcomes such as equitable deployment, affordability, safety, emissions reduction, and electric grid benefits.

I bring to this work an educational background in physics and global health as well as work experience at BBN Technologies, Harvard, MIT, & multiple startups. I am committed to using every tool I have to create and drive forward just and wise solutions to the urgent challenge of climate change. Doing so within a large network of stakeholders leads to the kind of multi-disciplinary problem solving, co-creation, and innovation that gives me hope.

Activity

Join now to see all activity

Experience

  • HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)

    HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)

    6 years 9 months

  • IFC - International Finance Corporation Graphic

    Short Term Consultant - Senior Advisor

    IFC - International Finance Corporation

    - Present 2 months

  • MIT Sloan School of Management Graphic

    Short Term Lecturer

    MIT Sloan School of Management

    - Present 3 years 10 months

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

  • Harvard C-CHANGE Graphic

    Guest Lecturer, Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program

    Harvard C-CHANGE

    - Present 7 years

    Cambridge, MA

    On change leadership.

  • Harvard University Graphic

    Faculty Aide

    Harvard University

    - 1 year

    MIT

    I worked with Prof. Nicholas Ashford on 'Transforming the Industrial State'.

  • Partner and Editor

    Science Editors Network

    - 9 years

    Cambridge, MA

    SEN is a network of scientific consultants and editors that supports independent investigators in academic and industry, through research and developmental editing, grant writing, and consulting. My role at SEN included strategic planning and business development as well as editing and consulting projects related to Technology, Health and the Environment.

  • D-tree International Graphic

    Strategy Development Officer

    D-tree International

    - 3 years

    Boston, MA

    I worked together with founder, Dr. Marc Mitchell, to conceptualize and launch a novel health systems intervention. Using mobile technology, D-Tree's optimized decision trees enhance health care decision making in areas not served by physicians. I led the creation of the first prototype of D-tree's mobile diagnostic tool.

  • Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard AIDS Institute

    Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard AIDS Institute

    4 years

    • Consultant

      Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard AIDS Institute

      - 1 year

      Boston, MA

      Completed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure feasibility assessment for the KITSO AIDS Training Program (a partnership with the Government of Botswana to provide training in HIV/AIDS therapies to Motswana medical professionals). Formed and managed a production and development team for video-based distance education, taped on site in Gabarone. Taught ICT classes in Boston, South Africa, and Botswana.

    • Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard AIDS Institute Graphic

      Information Management Coordinator

      Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard AIDS Institute

      - 3 years

      Boston, MA

      I began by helping to launch and maintain an Institute web site and then proceeded to initiate, design, and develop an internet-based knowledge management system for the Enhancing Care Initiative; a multi-national, multi-disciplinary research project focused on the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. I initiated and led a technical team to provide services in the U.S., Brazil, Senegal, and Thailand. This team also continued the creation, management, and maintenance of multiple large research…

      I began by helping to launch and maintain an Institute web site and then proceeded to initiate, design, and develop an internet-based knowledge management system for the Enhancing Care Initiative; a multi-national, multi-disciplinary research project focused on the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. I initiated and led a technical team to provide services in the U.S., Brazil, Senegal, and Thailand. This team also continued the creation, management, and maintenance of multiple large research oriented web sites.

  • BBN Technologies

    BBN Technologies

    2 years

    • Associate Scientist

      BBN Technologies

      - 1 year

      Cambridge, MA

      Conceived of and wrote a proposal for MedWeb, an electronic medical records web site and FileMaker, a curation software for the then rapidly growing online world.

    • Associate Engineer

      BBN Technologies

      - 1 year

      Newport, RI

      Wrote and optimized code for a real-time underwater acoustics application in C++. Completed upgrade of software package BBN-Probe from VMS to UNIX.

  • Research Assistant

    Brown University Observational Cosmology Lab

    - 2 years

    Providence, RI

    Designed, built, and tested apparatus for the detection of microwave radiation remnants of the Big Bang.

Education

  • Brown University Graphic

    Brown University

    Bachelor of Science (BS) Physics

    -

    Activities and Societies: Varsity Epeeist Brown Fencing Team.

  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Graphic

    Harvard School of Public Health

    Population and International Health

    -

    Activities and Societies: Class President and Harvard Graduate Student Council Representative

  • Harvard University Graphic

    Harvard University

    Master's degree Sustainability Studies

    Activities and Societies: Deans Thesis Award

Volunteer Experience

  • Health Impacts Team, MA Leadership Team, & Regional Beyond Gas Campaign

    Mothers Out Front

    - 5 years 1 month

    Environment

    After volunteering with Mothers Out Front Cambridge 2015-2016, serving as a coordinator of the Cambridge team 2016-2017, I then volunteered in other leadership roles on National, Regional & State Teams. Mothers Out Front is a national organization of mothers, grandmothers and caregivers mobilizing for a livable climate for the children.

  • International School of Boston Graphic

    Buildings & Grounds Committee

    International School of Boston

    - 4 years 6 months

    Education

    I served on the Buildings and Grounds committee.

  • City of Cambridge Graphic

    Appointed to Envision Cambridge

    City of Cambridge

    - 2 years 8 months

    I served on the three year Envision Cambridge Task Force, helping the city 'envision' our future around issues as diverse as housing, transport, environment, health, equity, jobs, etc.

  • Board Member

    HEET

    - 3 years 1 month

    Environment

    I was honored to serve on the board of HEET, an amazingly high impact & nimble non-profit seeking solutions to climate change.

  • Research Lead

    HEET

    - 1 year

    Environment

    I helped to lead an unusual coalition of activists, scientists, gas utility company executives and others in an effort to determine the best method for finding and fixing the largest gas leaks first. In the process we have innovated in multiple arenas - inventing a new technology - but also fueling social innovation through our effort to collaborate between traditionally opposing forces. Our research outcomes were significant and were announced at Common Ground, Uncommon Partners on Oct. 3rd at…

    I helped to lead an unusual coalition of activists, scientists, gas utility company executives and others in an effort to determine the best method for finding and fixing the largest gas leaks first. In the process we have innovated in multiple arenas - inventing a new technology - but also fueling social innovation through our effort to collaborate between traditionally opposing forces. Our research outcomes were significant and were announced at Common Ground, Uncommon Partners on Oct. 3rd at MIT, as well as shared directly with the Department of Public Utility in an effort to drive regulatory design.

Recommendations received

2 people have recommended Zeyneb

Join now to view

More activity by Zeyneb

View Zeyneb’s full profile

  • See who you know in common
  • Get introduced
  • Contact Zeyneb directly
Join to view full profile

Other similar profiles

Explore collaborative articles

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

Explore More

Others named Zeyneb Magavi

2 others named Zeyneb Magavi are on LinkedIn

See others named Zeyneb Magavi

Add new skills with these courses

See all courses