In June 2021, Ezgi Karayel, Owner and Principal of Vektor Consultants, delivered a lecture to Cooper Union students, providing an overview of environmental assessments, risk management, and corrective action.
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In June 2021, Ezgi Karayel, Owner and Principal of Vektor Consultants, delivered a lecture to Cooper Union students, providing an overview of environmental assessments, risk management, and corrective action. She introduced her background in environmental engineering, her career path, and her entrepreneurial journey, having founded Vektor Consultants in 2017.
She emphasized the importance of environmental assessments in real estate transactions, especially through Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), which are essential due diligence steps before buying or developing property. The process helps identify potential environmental liabilities and is critical for obtaining protections under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Karayel outlined the different phases of an environmental assessment:
Phase I focuses on identifying environmental concerns on the property and surrounding areas through historical research and evaluations.
Phase II involves subsurface investigations to assess contamination and determine remediation needs, such as soil, groundwater, or vapor treatment.
She also discussed the difference between being a Participant (responsible for contamination) versus a Volunteer (not responsible), with implications for the remediation process. She highlighted New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and New York City’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), comparing the advantages of each.
In addition to the technical aspects, Karayel stressed the importance of professional networking and involvement in industry organizations like the New York City Brownfield Partnership (NYCBP) and BCONE, which offer opportunities for students to learn, grow their networks, and stay informed about regulations and trends. She encouraged students to engage in internships and take initiative in developing leadership skills.
Karayel concluded by stressing that networking is crucial for career growth, offering her personal experience of finding mentors outside her workplace, and advised students to attend industry events and expand their professional connections.
