Past and present colleagues often know me as a visionary leader on a mission—strategically engineering healthier, more sustainable, and livable communities.

With a background that melds architecture, construction, and military precision, I'm a natural problem-solver, magnetically pulled toward tackling grand-scale global issues, particularly those intersecting health and the built environment. Let's face it: the building sector is a major climate culprit, responsible for over a third of global annual greenhouse gas emissions, and more specifically, the construction industry is responsible for 38% (14 gigatons) of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Recognizing this, I've made it my life's work not just to be part of the conversation but a catalyst for change, driving practical and effective solutions for our economy into a greener, more sustainable era.

But here's the kicker—I’m not just committed to this work; I’m absolutely jazzed about it! It's not just a job; it's a calling I relish every day.

My Focus and Drive: I am passionately focused on advancing sustainable practices within the built environment, striving to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency. My goal is to leverage innovative technologies, including AI and advanced data analytics, to optimize building lifecycles from operations and renovations to new construction. By integrating these technologies, I aim to create more resilient and adaptive buildings that meet the demands of our rapidly changing climate. I am driven to inspire a movement towards sustainability, mentoring the next generation of leaders and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship across the industry.

Professional Achievements: My journey began as an architect and a military mechanic, which gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and addressing challenges in the built environment. Once I discovered the construction industry, I realized how all my past professional experiences blended together, including my academic expertise in environmental science and public policy. The dynamic nature of construction, with its ever-changing challenges, fascinated me more than theoretical architecture. Over the years, I've grown increasingly passionate about sustainable construction, driven by the desire to implement practical, impactful solutions that benefit both the environment and the community. 

In my current role as HITT Contracting’s Director of Sustainable Construction, I lead nationwide sustainability initiatives, driving carbon neutrality, regulatory compliance, and innovative green building strategies across a $5.6 billion portfolio. I manage a high-performing team focused on reducing HITT’s environmental impact while maintaining efficient operations across multiple U.S. offices and projects. Drawing upon more than 20 years of experience in architecture, operations, and construction, I shape the company’s sustainable construction operations and corporate sustainability initiatives. This includes overseeing HITT’s Carbon Action Plan, which positions the company as a leader in the construction industry's transition to carbon neutrality. By managing a comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing material procurement, and leveraging innovative technologies, I ensure that HITT continues to align with the highest standards of environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. 

Previously, as Clark Construction Group's Director of Sustainability, I directed the national sustainability strategy and operations, leading multi-billion-dollar green building projects and promoting environmental stewardship through GHG Protocol compliance and advanced LEED material tracking systems. My leadership in creating the Clark Embodied Carbon Program in partnership with the Building Transparency EC3 toolkit significantly contributed to Clark's recognition as the nation's #2 Green Builder. Additionally, I delivered award-winning projects such as Amazon's HQ2 and more than 90 LEED-certified projects, including the SDSU Snapdragon Stadium, which won multiple awards such as the 2023 ENR California Best Project Award.​ (Clark Construction)​​ (Clark Construction)​​ (Clark Construction)​​ (Clark Construction)​.

Before joining Clark, I advised government, non-profit, and private sector stakeholders on healthy design strategies at the Health in Buildings Roundtable (HiBR) of the National Institutes of Health, where I focused on promoting wellness through better design practices. I managed strategic relationships at the Clinton Global Initiative, engaging international leaders in discussions on global health and sustainable development. My military service included roles in both the United States Navy and the Army, where I developed strong leadership and logistical skills. I practiced architecture for seven years in New York City and Los Angeles, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable design and construction. I also consulted for Accenture's Resources Group, providing strategic advice on sustainability to major corporations, and worked for the New York City Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning & Sustainability, where I contributed to the city's ambitious environmental initiatives.

My commitment to sustainability continues:

• As an Administrator Appointee and Co-Chair of the Green Building Advisory Committee at the U.S. General Services Administration, I champion government-wide best practices and innovations in high-performance buildings and carbon management as a subject matter expert volunteer advisor. My leadership involves collaborating with industry experts, including architects, suppliers, and contractors, to promote eco-friendly building solutions. I have authored several influential pieces of advice addressing critical sustainable building topics, including green leasing, greenhouse gas reduction in federal buildings, decarbonization strategies, and promoting the use of low-impact materials. My contributions have directly supported the government's environmental objectives, including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with sustainable measures. Additionally, I advised the GSA on employing cutting-edge strategies for the design, operation, and planning of Federal buildings, aiming at cost reduction, mission optimization, enhancing human health, and minimizing environmental footprints, which has contributed to significant advancements in federal building sustainability. As the co-chair of the Federal Buy Clean Implications Task Group, I focus on evaluating the policy's impact on procurement practices and material selection in federal buildings, considering the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes assessing how the policy influences market demand for low embodied carbon materials, drives innovation and job creation in clean manufacturing, and addresses the climate crisis.

• As an Appointee to the LEED Steering Committee of the U.S. Green Building Council since April 2022. In this role, I serve as a key member of an esteemed collective of volunteers and staff dedicated to fostering and upholding the LEED rating system, emphasizing its role as a leadership tool in driving sustainability within the built environment. I play a pivotal role in preserving the integrity of the LEED rating system and promoting the consensus process, ensuring that the system continuously evolves in alignment with the USGBC's Mission, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Plan. I am responsible for establishing strategic direction and providing vital oversight for the LEED program, ensuring projects consistently achieve performance goals and adapt to the changing needs of the building market and technological advancements. Utilizing extensive project experience and industry expertise, I contribute to LEED's evolution, maintaining its status as a leading sustainable building certification system and shaping a sustainable future through environmental responsibility and positive change.

• As a Founding Member of the Associated General Contractors of America's Task Force on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting, leading the creation of a comprehensive playbook for construction companies aimed at minimizing their carbon footprint.

Through my professional journey, I have remained dedicated to advancing sustainable practices, fostering innovation, and driving transformative change within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors.

In this 45min podcast interview with Charlie Cichetti from GBES, I discuss my background and professional experiences, and basically everything that has led me to embrace my career in Sustainability with passion and vision for how to build stronger impact via private sector: