Stars of Our Community: Michelle Dionello
Posted by jteo on Nov. 1, 2025 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Meet our featured member, Michelle Dionello, P.E., a Campus Manager at Genentech, where she oversees the facilities operations for twenty-three buildings and three remote sites. She began her career with a decade of experience in high-performance building design, energy audits, and deep retrofits across a wide range of sectors. An active leader in the engineering community, Michelle has served on the boards of the ASHRAE Golden Gate Chapter and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Her industry contributions have been recognized with the CSE 40 under 40 award, the ASHRAE LeaDRS scholarship, and selection as a finalist for ASHRAE’s New Faces of Engineering.
How long have you been involved with ASHRAE in years? Describe the roles or capacities in which you are involved with ASHRAE.
My journey with ASHRAE began in college when I became a student member in 2005. My initial motivation was practical- I needed the books to help build an eQuest model for our Solar Decathlon team, which proudly took 2nd place that year. After college, I moved to Philadelphia for my first job and immediately connected with the local chapter, attending meetings and taking introductory HVAC design classes through the local chapter.
When I relocated to the Bay Area in 2008, I was honored to have the opportunity to give back to the organization that had supported me when I was starting out. I was lovingly peer-pressured by Scott Wayland into starting our chapter’s first Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) committee. From there, my involvement grew as I joined the Board of Governors and eventually served as Chapter President. Today, as a past president, I continue to be an active and passionate member of our local chapter. I believe it's important to note that I chose not to serve at the regional level. At the time, I had young kids, and my priority was being their soccer coach and staying present for my local community. And what I love about ASHRAE is that you can volunteer in a way that aligns with your passions. If you are technical, join a technical committee. If you want to inspire the future, work with student activities. If you love new technology, get involved with the Product Show. There is something for everyone.
If you had to describe the ASHRAE community in three words, what would they be?
Driven, Technical, and Welcoming.
What has been your favorite ASHRAE memory, event, or experience, and why?
I have many fond ASHRAE memories, but two in particular stand out.
The first was being sponsored to attend the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago with Karin LeBlanc, who was our Region X DRC at the time. I remember going out to dinner with her and being in complete awe. She knew everyone, and she took the time to talk with me about my career and offer invaluable insight. Looking back, it’s incredible the time people in this organization make for one another. That feeling of connection is real; whenever I see someone from ASHRAE, it’s like seeing an old friend. So much time was invested in me, and it's a privilege to now have the opportunity to pay it forward by showing up for others too.
My other favorite memory was bringing my dad, Daniel, to a chapter meeting at Scott’s Seafood. He had a wonderful time talking with everyone, and the members were so welcoming and engaged him in conversation. He truly enjoyed the technical content of the presentation. As we left, he turned to me and said, "Michelle, that was A LOT of FUN!" and I just smiled and replied, "I know, Dad. I know." It was a perfect moment to share the warmth and technical expertise of ASHRAE with someone who means the world to me but also be reminded that we chose to participate in ASHRAE because it is meaningful and really fun. I dream about growing up and being a little old lady, living in San Francisco going to the opera and then later on the week catching the latest ASHRAE tour; it sounds like a good life!
How has your involvement with ASHRAE influenced your career and personal growth?
My time with ASHRAE has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, primarily because it taught me the power of a collaborative community. What I cherish most is the heart and passion that our volunteers pour into creating meaningful programs for members. Being a part of that, and eventually leading it, showed me that great things are accomplished when a team is united by a shared purpose.
This supportive network was the ideal environment for my own growth. It gave me the platform and the encouragement to develop new skills, from public speaking to team management. Learning to get a room of members excited about an upcoming event wasn't just an exercise in communication; it was a lesson in connecting with people. The relationships I've built and the collective drive to support one another have been a beautiful and transformative part of my professional life.
Do you hold any ASHRAE or other professional certifications/licenses? If so, how have they benefited your career?
Over my career, I've held several credentials, including the ASHRAE BEAP, LEED AP, CEM, Scrum Master, and a California P.E. license. To me, these aren't just acronyms; they represent a commitment to my craft. While they don't define a good professional, they show a dedication to mastering the profession and have helped me open doors. Sharing this passion is important to me. Through the YEA committee, we hosted P.E. study sessions to encourage young engineers to pursue their licenses and succeed.
My own learning is always evolving. My goal in recently obtaining a black belt in Lean-Agile wasn't the belt itself, but the desire to learn a framework for tackling complex problems and thinking differently. That's why I encourage others to pursue the certifications and licenses that speak to your heart—the ones that push you out of your comfort zone. It’s how you can be the best version of yourself, for your own career and for the world’s challenges.
Where do you see the industry heading in the next 5-10 years, and what developments are you most excited about?
I am feeling very hopeful these days. Despite the challenges we face globally, organizations like ASHRAE keep their eye on the prize: ensuring the built environment has a positive impact on society. Looking forward, I believe we are just at the beginning of what is possible with AI and building operations, and that is incredibly exciting.
My career has given me the unique perspective of working as both a designer and now in operations. As designers, we create the vision, but as operators, we live with that vision for decades. I look after some buildings that are over 20-50 years old with aging infrastructure, and I think about the limitless possibilities that new technology can unlock.
What excites me most is the evolution from smart buildings to truly intelligent ones. I’ll make a prediction: one day, we will have self-diagnosing or even self-healing buildings that can anticipate failures and adapt to any situation. It feels both close and far away at the same time, and exploring that unknown is what makes the future so fun to imagine.
What is one key piece of advice you would offer to young professionals entering this field?
That one is easy: join a professional society like ASHRAE and start building your network from day one. I have always given this piece of advice to the interns I’ve mentored because it is the single most impactful thing you can do for your long-term growth outside of your day-to-day job.
Your technical skills will get you in the door, but your community will sustain and elevate you throughout your career. Building a network isn't just about collecting contacts but it is about finding mentors, discovering new ideas, and creating a support system of colleagues who understand your challenges and celebrate your successes.
So, my advice is three simple steps: 1) Build your network, 2) cultivate your community, and 3) give back to it. Volunteer, mentor someone else, share what you've learned. Completing that cycle is one of the most rewarding things you can do. You will be happy you did.
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