Our Team
Our team exists to help you create the most energy-effective building you want, using science of course.
Monica Rokicki
Principal / Owner
Monica Rokicki-Guajardo is Founder and CEO of Better Building Works LLC in Roanoke, Virginia. Design and building science come together in her role as trusted advisor for building developers who understand that buildings exist simultaneously on balance sheets, within communities, as part of nature, and where people spend 90% of their lives. Questions that keep Monica up at night include “Is this building healthy?”, “Will this building survive being unoccupied?”, or “Does this building serve its ecosystem?”.
Monica is passionate about “architecture that listens”. She founded Better Building Works to help clients implement intentional, cost-effective strategies for context-driven, high performance new construction, development projects, and improvement of existing buildings and campuses. She holds various building performance certifications, including LEED AP BD+C and EBO+M, BPI, and HERS. Continuing education in this rapidly developing field augments her decades-long experience in building design.
Monica currently serves as a Board Member with the Greater Virginia Green Building Council, is Immediate Past Chair for the ten-state USGBC Southeast Regional Committee, and has conducted numerous building performance presentations for the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, Virginia Building and Code Officials Association, and many others.
Nicole Roberts
Energy and Design Alchemist: PE, LEED AP
Vision girl, creator and early associate of BBWx, Nicole is a rural enthusiast, aficionado al fútbol and mother of a three member brood of ‘cheesy smile’ faces. Her affinity for buildings and construction has grown over the decades and really began to blossom when she graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (with Honors).
With a concentration in structural engineering, Nicole ventured into the construction document design world but soon discovered there was more, oh so much more to the construction industry. Earning a LEED AP designation started a chain reaction to safeguard the environment for future generations while still holding true to her knack for engineering. Soon she was working for BBWx and earned the designation of BPI Building Analyst. Understanding how a building is constructed offers great advantage when analyzing energy assessment results and crawling around in attics with their own microclimates . . .
Nicole utilizes her time to fulfill LEED administration responsibilities, run the open trails, draft expertly designed construction plans, volunteer as a youth soccer coach and children’s ministry leader and assemble strategies to prosper and improve BBWx client services.
Danielle Cohan
Lead Building Science Associate
Danielle is Lead Building Science Associate at Better Building Works. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Old Dominion University in 2013, and found her “scientific” calling here at Better Building Works, after discovering the importance of building performance on indoor air quality and consequently people’s health and safety. When not employed saving lives and homes, Danielle enjoys spending time with her pup, Zander, and vacationing as much as possible.
Rose James
Chief Operations Office
Rose joined Better Building Works in 2018 bringing an abundance of entrepreneurial knowledge. She brings a brightness to our office and has dedication to our growth and development. She enjoys working one-on-one with our clients and is commited to a friendly, professional, supportive customer service experience.
Rose has raised 3 children with her husband of 30+ years, Jim, and currently is enjoying her little “zoo” at home, traveling with friends and spending time with her family.
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