Marla Esser

Owner / Founder of HomeNav, LEED AP, NAHB Certified Green Professional – marla@HomeNav.com

Marla is the inventor and designer of HomeNav™ -an interactive, online homeowners’ manual which provides homeowners with peace of mind from better management and maintenance of their homes. Her company, Sustaining Spaces, LLC offers better living and better homes through education, consulting and marketing for the home building industry and consumers. See her in action introducing HomeNav.

Marla earned a B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a steering council member of the St. Louis Home Builders Association Green Building Council and Greening Midwest Communities 2010 and 2011Conferences, and a member of the US Green Building Council – St. Louis chapter. She shares her knowledge of Green for homes and small businesses as an instructor for continuing education programs around St. Louis and guest speaker in local schools.

Kathleen Engel

NAHB Certified Green Professional – kathleen@HomeNav.com

Kathleen Engel is responsible for marketing and outreach efforts for HomeNav, and is HomeNav’s lead consultant for Construction and Demolition Debris recycling. She started out studying to be a pilot, but then found her true passion in environmental causes. She has spent the last 20 years working in a variety of environmentally related fields in Water Quality, Recycling, Energy Conservation and Green Building and Construction. Aside from her tree-hugging experience, she also has experience in research and writing and is the Co-Author of ECOnomics 101: Simple and Inexpensive solutions for greening your home and lifestyle. She has a diverse professional background having worked with a wide range of industries and volunteer projects and is continuously striving to find ways to give back to the community. In her free time she conducts seminars educating homeowners about the importance of living green and is the Chairperson of the Climate Action Committee in her city. Kathleen’s experience provides a unique perspective that balances business with the environment.

Kathleen earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies, minored in Political Science and received a certificate in Public Speaking. She is also a Certified Green Professional through the National Association of Home Builder’s.