Stars of Our Community: Nikola Kravik
Posted by jteo on Feb. 1, 2025 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Meet our featured member, Nikola Kravik, Director of Business Development – West Coast at Sustainable Investment Group (SIG). Nikola specializes in client relationships, strategic partnerships, and project management, while supporting sustainability initiatives across SIG. With extensive experience leading energy modeling teams and designing over 25 ZNE (Zero Net Energy) buildings, Nikola has contributed to high-profile projects such as the Vallco Town Center in Cupertino. As SIG expands its West Coast presence, Nikola focuses on fostering collaboration within the AEC and real estate industries to meet growing sustainability demands driven by decarbonization efforts.
How long have you been involved with ASHRAE in years? Describe the roles or capacities in which you are involved with ASHRAE.
I have been involved with ASHRAE for 17 years. I was Membership Promotions Chair in 2013, went to become board member in 2014 and President in 2017. In 2023, I was back for a 2nd duty tour and started with RP Chair and then my latest involvement this year is RVC CTTC Region X and RP Co-Chair at Chapter level. I'm part of the Operations Subcommittee on society level under CTTC.
If you had to describe the ASHRAE community in three words, what would they be?
Generosity, Versatility and Sincerity! I see those strengths in many members.
What has been your favorite ASHRAE memory, event, or experience, and why?
Top 3 events and experience overall going from memory lane although there is many more: 1. CRC Tempe AZ 2024 because of the spy theme and overall superb organization example for everyone!, 2. CRC Hawaii 2014 because of MP award, Hawaiian culture, surroundings, hospitality and unforgettable luau dancing on the beach in hula skirt, 3. CRC Reno 2023, because of burning man theme, fun outfit I wore and first real post Covid19 in person comeback!
How has your involvement with ASHRAE influenced your career and personal growth?
I get asked often to put a value on what I've given vs gotten out of ASHRAE for the past 17 yrs. I say priceless, my involvement has helped me grow both personally and professionally, meet longtime friends at every annual, winter meeting or CRC, and learn more about our broader engineering society and our influence on the world. The volunteerism has been very rewarding, especially the elementary school visits and seeing bright faces smiling on the magnetic field experiment, scholarships rewards for bright students seeking both financial and stipends for meetings, and learning and sharing knowledge extensively through peer groups, technical committees, newsletters, webinars, websites and live events.
Do you hold any ASHRAE or other professional certifications/licenses? If so, how have they benefited your career?
Yes, I am a BEMP (Building Energy Modeling Professional) certified member through ASHRAE since 2013. I was one of the first few people to fall in love with energy modeling back in college in 2005, with loading calc software at Professor Walz's SFSU HVAC Class. We were designing a school with 6 classrooms, hallway, bathrooms, kitchen, storage, and office area. How BEMP has helped my career-forward 2007-2024 I have used my BEMP certification to fulfil project requirements for companies or owners or code or county program compliance and registration. A BEMP Modeler certification and recognition is valuable to me because we are the subject matter experts, with data, simulation, and results to support it. I'm planning to look into BCxP commissioning and OPMP operations and performance management professional next.
What initially drew you to ASHRAE, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
What initially drew me to ASHRAE was unforgettable memories of my first Golden Gate meetings at Scott's in 2007 and suddenly sitting next to 3 Society and/or Chapter presidents: Richard A. Charles, Tom Gilbertson and Carl Jordan. Carl and I started talking about designing projects worldwide, Richard said well I made CB Engineers the company you are working for, and Tom liked high rise design, and I was telling him about WSHPs on One Rincon Hill and was music to his ears; since then we had always wanted to do Chicago Highrise together!
What is one key piece of advice you would offer to young professionals entering this field?
I've helped over 30 young professionals in the past 15+ years with mentorship, job placement and coaching. One piece of advice that has carried me through during my early days was choosing your path, but also listening and learning from experienced mentors. Get yourself an ASHRAE mentor or two or three in the industry. Be vulnerable and share where you are, what you are looking for and what you aspire to be, I bet they'd love to help!
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