Lauren C. Roth Venu

Lauren Roth Venu is passionate about developing strategic, innovative solutions to build water resiliency. As the Founding Principal of Roth Ecological Design Int. LLC, Lauren strives to bridge her background in ecological design, the water sciences and policy to elevate site design by maximizing onsite water conservation, reuse and stormwater recharge practices that meet the triple bottom line.

She is a recognized leader in ecological design and green  infrastructure. A frequent lecturer and published author, she has served in numerous advisory and leadership roles, including with the World Bank Youth Water Accelerator, the State of Hawai‘i Water Security Advisory Group, the State Water Conservation Plan Committee, and the City and County of Honolulu Sustainable Building Task Force. She has also contributed to the development of Hawai‘i’s water reuse guidelines, plumbing codes, and sustainability standards, while volunteering her expertise with organizations such as Engineers Without Borders and ‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi (Board of Directors).

She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science with a focus on Water Resources from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She is also a graduate of the ProPer.net Leadership Program through the United Nations University / East-West Center and a 2015 Fellow of the Water Leadership Institute (Water Environment Federation).

In addition, prior to forming REDI, she had the privilege of working under Dr. John Todd, founder of Oceans Arks International and pioneer of the Living Machine. She also recently launched 3Rwater to develop and deploy the Follow the Drop software to democratize access to stormwater management solutions and, for cities and corporations, to manage stormwater programs and report metrics.

 

Mel Yoo

Mel is an architectural designer with a passion for sustainability and regenerative practices.  She is a LEED Green Associate and an Associate Member of the AIA. With over eight years of professional architectural design experience, she has contributed to award-winning projects and is passionate in implementing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, particularly through the integration of green infrastructure in urban environments. Mel earned her Doctor of Architecture degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her dissertation examines opportunities to address low access food areas in urban Honolulu through the integration of regenerative architecture, fostering sustainable and resilient communities. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. 
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Having spent part of her childhood on O‘ahu, Mel developed a deep connection to the islands' rich cultural heritage and landscapes. These formative experiences shaped her passion for place-based design, inspiring her to create architecture that harmonizes with ecology. She is an advocate for community-centric design and has collaborated with local organizations to promote green infrastructure initiatives.

Owen Van Lehman

Owen is a Water Resource Engineer with a passion for developing innovative solutions to stormwater management challenges. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecological Engineering from Oregon State University and has gained valuable experience working as a civil engineer in both Portland, Oregon, and Denver, Colorado.

With a strong background in civil engineering, Owen specializes in designing stormwater systems that improve water quality, mitigate flood risks, and promote environmental sustainability. He is committed to delivering practical, customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each community.

Growing up in Oregon, Owen developed a deep connection to the environment, which has shaped both his personal and professional life. His experiences in nature have instilled in him a strong commitment to sustainability and a desire to contribute to projects that benefit the natural world and the communities within it.

Gerry Failano

Gerry is a landscape designer with a passion for landscape architecture, urban and environmental design, and plant cultivation. He holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his studies focused on food security, international relations, and public policy. His capstone explored strategies to enhance healthy food production and community-based agricultural education in Waiʻanae. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in History, Political Science, and Ethics from Pacific Union College.

Gerry’s public service experience includes internships with the U.S. Congress and professional roles at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. He has contributed to an award-winning design that received the Mayor’s Choice Award and co-authored a publication on urban adaptation to coastal flooding. 

Born and raised on Maui to immigrant parents from the Philippines, Gerry’s early exposure to plant cultivation through his father sparked a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship and sustainable design.