Sustainability Lead, Associate Project Manager, Hanson Professional Services Inc.; MA, Education, University of Central Florida
Polematidis has seven years of experience in mechanical design, energy auditing and commissioning. Recognized for her groundbreaking work on environmental sustainability and resiliency in Northeast Florida, she has been the task manager and lead commissioning authority for a wide range of government, health care, education and mixed-use residential facilities. Beyond her mechanical engineering work, Polematidis is a sustainability and resiliency subject matter expert for Jacksonville, Florida. She participated as a subject matter expert for resiliency in the 2023 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo education program working group, the world’s largest conference and exposition for the green building industry. Polematidis’s climate leadership was showcased with her advocacy in Northeast Florida after the state initially refused to allocate resources for greenhouse gas inventory and climate action planning. Within four months, Polematidis and her team developed a plan that addressed unique environmental concerns, including rising sea levels and extreme heat. Originally a science teacher, Polematidis strongly advocates for degreed and non-degreed career paths in architecture, engineering and construction. Her efforts aim to dismantle barriers to entry and expand representation in these fields, showing young people, especially those from underrepresented groups, that they also belong in STEM and sustainability professions. Polematidis has written several articles, been featured in a children’s book about women in energy careers and has won multiple awards for her environmental work in Jacksonville. Outside of work, Polematidis loves to travel with her two children. They have visited 13 countries together so far. She also loves to sing and participates in karaoke whenever the opportunity arises.
