During the recent IWBI webcast, From Classrooms to Communities: The Future of Healthy Indoor Air Policy and Advocacy, leaders in health, policy, and technology came together to discuss how innovations in indoor air quality (IAQ) are transforming the built environment—particularly within schools, a sector central to community well-being and future progress.

“What began as a small weekend idea completely took on a life of its own. Eleven years later, here we are,” said Liam Bates, CEO and Co-Founder of Kaiterra, describing how his company was born from a passion project to improve access to cleaner indoor air.

“COVID made everyone realize that the places where we live, work, learn, and play are more than just a slogan—they’re essential to survival and human health,” noted Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, Client Development Director at BranchPattern, pointing to a lasting shift in how people perceive the importance of healthy buildings, where research shows we spend about 90% of our lives.

“We need to put more muscle behind modernizing our schools so that we don’t lose an entire generation,” emphasized Mary Filardo, Executive Director of the 21st Century School Fund, highlighting the urgent need for investment in school infrastructure.

“Students’ well-being should come before closing off outdoor air to save a few dollars. We have to do better,” added Glenn Wilson, Business Development Manager at Daikin Applied, referring to how some schools still prioritize short-term savings over proper ventilation.

Moderated by Jason Hartke, IWBI’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Global Advocacy, the conversation explored how technology, policy, and advocacy intersect to improve indoor air quality—from classrooms to offices to public spaces. The session spotlighted how schools can drive broader community change through data-driven approaches and collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors.
 
Turning Passion into Public Impact
For Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, the push for healthier air begins at home. As both a parent and a sustainability professional, she has seen how education leads to awareness and action. “When my teenage son turned on the exhaust fan after attending the WELL Healthy Homes Summit,” she shared, “I realized education is everything. That same understanding needs to reach our schools.”
 
Standing Together for Stronger Schools
With over three decades of experience leading the 21st Century School Fund, Mary Filardo reminded attendees that America’s school infrastructure remains vast, aging, and underfunded. “Every community makes decisions about the condition of its schools,” she said. “When education, civic, and industry leaders work together, we can make real progress and ensure we don’t miss a generation.”

As the lead author of the upcoming State of Our Schools report, Filardo revealed that the funding gap for school infrastructure continues to widen. Yet she remains hopeful: “If we approached facility investments more intelligently and holistically, that gap would shrink dramatically.”
 
Innovation Rooted in Purpose
For Liam Bates, advocacy for cleaner indoor air was personal. When his wife’s asthma worsened due to pollution, he sought affordable ways to measure air quality but found none. That challenge sparked Kaiterra’s creation. “We wanted to make the invisible visible,” he said. He also encouraged action, no matter how small: “If every school collected just one air quality data point, we’d instantly know which buildings are struggling—and which fixes are simple and cost-free.”
 
Designing for Healthier Learning
Glenn Wilson offered a practical perspective drawn from his field experience. “I’ve been on too many school rooftops where the fresh air dampers are screwed shut,” he said. “Saving a bit on energy shouldn’t come at the expense of children’s health.”
 
Looking Forward
Throughout the discussion, one message was clear: America’s school facilities—and the people inside them—deserve better. The panel called for innovative funding strategies, smarter policies, and stronger collaboration to modernize schools and safeguard public health.

In closing, Jason Hartke summarized the shift in mindset needed: “For decades, we’ve poured billions into energy efficiency. Now, it’s time to invest in health with the same focus and commitment.”