The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) welcomes four new
members onto its board and announced Dr. Aaron Bernstein, associate director at
Harvard University’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H.
Chan School of Public Health as the new board chair. The new members include
Dan McQuade, managing director at Global Infrastructure Solutions; Karen
Weigert, vice president of business strategy and regional operations at
Slipstream; Doug Woods, co-founder of DPR Construction; and Lakisha Ann Woods,
president and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences.
“Dr. Bernstein has been a longtime supporter of USGBC and we’re fortunate to
have him step into this new role as our board chair,” said Mahesh Ramanujam,
president and CEO, USGBC. “Our board plays a pivotal role in guiding USGBC as
we look for new ways to shape the future of green building and we’re grateful
for their service. The addition of Dan, Karen, Doug and Lakisha Ann provides us
with valuable perspectives as we remain committed to elevating the living
standard for all through healthier, more sustainable buildings, cities and
communities.”
Dr. Aaron Bernstein’s work at Harvard examines the human health effects of
global environmental changes, such as climate change and the loss of
biodiversity, with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of these
subjects among students, educators, policymakers and the public. He is the
course director for Harvard’s Human Health and Global Environmental Change. Dr
Bernstein also created the HarvardX course “The Health Effects of Climate
Change,” which has educated thousands of students on how climate change
directly impacts their lives, and what they can do to become part of the
solution. In 2019, Dr. Bernstein testified before Congress on the child health
impacts of climate change, drawing from his personal experience as a
pediatrician having to treat children with breathing difficulties, vector-borne
diseases, and trauma from natural disasters. He is also a pediatric hospitalist
at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dan McQuade is a recognized expert in the design and construction of buildings
and infrastructure across a range of market sectors. He is currently managing
director at Global Infrastructure Solutions (GIS), a diversified engineering
and construction industry enterprise with eight leading construction, program
and project management companies. Prior to joining GIS, McQuade was the global
president for the $8 billion Construction Services Group of AECOM. Under his
leadership, AECOM Construction Services’ gross revenue grew from $1.4 billion
in 2012 to $8.24 billion in 2018 through both organic and acquisitive
investments. Before joining AECOM as part of the AECOM Tishman acquisition,
McQuade served as president of Tishman, where he was appointed in October 2005,
and oversaw landmark construction in the United States.
Karen Weigert leads the Chicago office and strategic initiatives for
Slipstream, a nonprofit that tests, delivers and scales next-generation energy
programs and products. She provides leadership in the areas of strategy
development and execution that grows Slipstream’s impacts in decarbonization
and resilience. Weigert also served as the first chief sustainability officer
for the City of Chicago. She led the city’s development and delivery of the
Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda; launched the Greencorps Chicago Youth
Program; implemented energy benchmarking legislation; led Chicago Solar Express
and Solar Chicago; and launched Retrofit Chicago. Prior to her work with the
city, Weigert was senior vice president at ShoreBank (later Urban Partnership
Bank) where she built a national consumer group that generated deposits to
support environmental sustainability and community development in low- to
moderate-income urban neighborhoods. She began her career as an investment
banker at Goldman Sachs and later served as an appointee in the Clinton
administration, focused on global environmental issues and agriculture. Weigert
also was a producer and writer on the documentary film, Carbon Nation, which
focused on solutions to climate change.
Doug Woods is the “D” of DPR Construction and one of the company’s
three co-founders. With more than 40 years in the industry, Woods serves on the
board of directors for this forward-thinking contractor specializing in
technically complex and sustainable projects. When Woods co-founded DPR in
1990, he had an audacious vision. With an eye toward the future, Woods looks
for ways to continuously improve and for new opportunities that move the
company and the industry forward. Today, the privately held, employee-owned
organization has grown to $6 billion in annual revenue, making it one of the
largest general contractors in the United States and a story of entrepreneurial
success. He is also part of the advisory board for WND Ventures, an investment
company focused on changing the way things are done in the AEC industry.
Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, is the president and CEO of the National Institute of
Building Sciences (NIBS). Woods is responsible for leading the Institute’s
dedicated team, enhancing its value and visibility and growing relationships
with its members, clients, public agencies and partners. She also leads efforts
to expand the organization’s programs and markets. Prior to joining NIBS, she
was the senior vice president and chief marketing officer at the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB), where she oversaw all marketing and
revenue-generating programs, including sponsorship sales and partnerships with
major national companies. Woods also serves on the board of directors for the
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and is the past chair of
ASAE’s Communications Section Council and has spoken at national and
international industry events.
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