Better buildings are our legacy
We're committed to transforming how our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED.
Our vision at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is that buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. Our mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. Through our community network, continuous collaboration with industry experts, market research publications and LEED professional credentials, our global staff is working every day to help advance spaces that are brighter and healthier for us to live, work and play in. Explore USGBC's LEED certified headquarters in Washington, DC.
LEED is an achievement in better building
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green certification program for building design, construction, operations and maintenance.
How LEED works
LEED is based on prerequisites and credits that a project meets to achieve a certification level: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. LEED works for all buildings anywhere.
LEED remains market relevant
LEED regularly undergoes evaluations, whether through clarification of specific credit’s language, an adaptation to an existing rating system, or a comprehensive update to its rating systems.
LEED is flexible
We've developed alternative compliance paths to LEED credits, providing more options to address unique circumstances and accommodate advancements in science and technology.
Staff & industry leaders advance LEED
Executive staff
Our in-house experts and leadership staff are vital to ensuring LEED's success today and tomorrow.
Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO
Strategic management
- Taryn Holowka, Senior Vice President
- Melissa Baker, Senior Vice President
- Sarah Alexander, Senior Vice President
- Kim Heavner, Vice President
Enterprise operations
- Susan Dorn, General Counsel
- Jennifer Druliner, Vice President
- Sarah Karle, Vice President
- Ashley Fowler, Vice President
- Sarah Merricks, Chief of Staff
Market transformation & development
- Roger Limoges, Senior Vice President
- Roger Platt, Senior Vice President
- Kimberly Lewis, Senior Vice President
Strategic partnerships & growth
- Brendan Owens, Senior Vice President
- Roger Platt, Senior Vice President
Board of Directors
The USGBC Board of Directors is comprised of seven elected directors, one appointed director and the CEO, who serves as ex-officio and is a non-voting member. They meet in person several times a year and regularly by teleconference. To contact the board, email board@usgbc.org.
Aaron Bernstein, Chair; Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Paul Anastas; Professor, and Director, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University
Daniel McQuade; Managing Director, Global Infrastructure Solutions
Bruce Oreck; Executive in Residence, Aalto University and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland
Mahesh Ramanujam, Ex-officio; President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council
Brandon Tinianov; Secretary/Treasurer; Vice President, Business Development, View, Inc.; Chair, USGBC Advisory Council
Karen Weigert; Vice President, Business Strategy and Regional Operations, Slipstream
Doug Woods; Co-Founder, DPR Construction
Lakisha Ann Woods; President & CEO, National Institute of Building Sciences
The Finance and Audit Committee advises staff on USGBC’s financial health and recommends policy and guidelines for financial activities. The committee’s role and responsibilities are detailed in its charter.
- USGBC Board of Directors, Secretary/Treasurer: Brandon Tinianov, View, Inc.
- Mike McNally, Chair; McNally Green
- Steve Bushnell, Stephen Bushnell + Associates
- Al Skodowski, Rivion
Advisory Council
The USGBC Advisory Council provides industry leadership and experience, recommending policy and initiatives to the board. Members connect with key stakeholder groups across the sustainability movement and identify emerging opportunities and needs.
They're employed by member companies and appointed by the Board, following an open nomination process, to represent a specific perspective. To contact the council, email board@usgbc.org.
Brandon Tinianov; Chair; Seat: Business to Consumer Leader; Affiliation: View Inc.
Gina Bocra; Seat: State and Local Government Agency Leader; Affiliation: New York City Department of Design and Construction
Stephen Bushnell; Seat: Insurance; Affiliation: Stephen Bushnell + Associates
Amy Costello; Seat: Product Manufacturer; Affiliation: Armstrong World Services
Brian Dunbar; Seat: Educator (Post-Secondary); Affiliation: Colorado State University
Denise Grabowski; Seat: Urban/Regional Planner; Affiliation: Symbioscity
Daniele Horton; Seat: Facility Management and Operations; Affiliation: Verdani Partners
Mark James; Seat: Sustainable Community Leader; Affiliation: Urban Green LLC
Christopher Schaffner; Seat: Sustainable Practice Leader: Engineer; Affiliation: The Green Engineer, LLC
Kevin Stack; Seat: Residential Construction Leader; Affiliation: Northeast Natural Homes
Karen Weigert; Seat: Climate and Clean Energy Transition Leader; Affiliation: Slipstream
Committees & advisory groups are key to LEED's success
USGBC committees and advisory groups are constantly reevaluating LEED to ensure it remains robust and efficient. And they’re working to develop educational materials about sustainable building and to support USGBC, while other green building councils around the world are helping keep LEED leaning forward as well.
Explore ways to get involved in USGBC committees.