“Any concrete new mixture, whether it’s embodied carbon or flyash or any other Innovation in making concrete more sustainable one way or the other in terms of the material itself, those are all tested through a rigorous standardized process.” Elizabeth Thompson, USGBC on Green Connections Radio podcast
As our hearts go out to the people in Surfside, Florida coping with the loss of their loved ones and friends in the catastrophic building collapse, this tragedy raises some hard questions that the “green” building community needs to answer. First among them is: Do sustainable building technologies and materials affect the structural integrity of their buildings? How are they tested to be sure?
Listen to architect Elizabeth Thompson, Vice President of the US Green Building Council – which developed the iconic LEED certification protocols that are gold standard for sustainable buildings – in this enlightening and engaging interview on Green Connections Radio podcast with host Joan Michelson. Elizabeth brings her 20+ years of experience as an architect, including in sustainable buildings, and provides helpful insights.
You’ll hear:
- How new building technologies and materials are tested for durability and safety.
- How the iconic LEED certifications are developed by teams of industry Experts.
- What role the local climate plays in determining the building code standards.
- The importance of holistic preventative maintenance plans and how to develop and implement them effectively.
- Plus great career advice!
“I have found it very helpful to keep following the trail of my curiosity. So, if I’m really interested in something, find a way to make the space for following that in my life. Reading books, having conversations, all of that.” Elizabeth Thompson on Green Connections Radio
What questions do YOU have for Elizabeth Thompson? Tweet them to us @joanmichelson or post them on our Facebook Page — and ask to join our private Facebook group.
You’ll also want to listen to:
- Rawlings Miller of WSP on developing a climate resilience plan for your community or business.
- Beth Gibbons, Executive Director of American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP).
- Robin Currey, Prescott College, on creating a sustainable food supply.
Listen to more great interviews with innovators at www.greenconnectionsradio.com – or on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify or other podcast networks, and subscribe.
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Joan Michelson, MBA is a highly accomplished business leader and award-winning strategic social impact and ESG – environment, social, governance – leader, who drove breakthrough results at Chrysler (in EVs), American Express and Deloitte, small businesses, and government agencies. She is an instructor on ESG issues to professionals, leaders and board members across industries. Her specialties include leveraging ESG solutions and partnerships strategically for maximum benefit, helping organizations recruit innovative, diverse women, and helping these women thrive in their careers. She is based in the Washington D.C. area.
Joan is also an accomplished journalist who has worked with top media organizations and hosts and produces the acclaimed Electric Ladies podcast (formerly known as Green Connections Radio), about innovation and leadership in energy-, climate- and sustainability-related issues across industries, featuring women experts.
She writes regularly for Forbes on these issues and has also been in the Harvard Business Review, HuffPost, TheAtlantic.com, Greenbiz, The New Economy magazine (distributed at the World Economic Forum), New Thinking magazine, regional business journals; and various other media. She coproduced segments with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” ABC News, and “The Crusaders,” and television specials on NBC.
Joan has spent her career working in energy-sustainability-climate-ESG issues and in marketing communications, including as head of communications and co-leader of the sales and marketing team of Chrysler’s Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), driving “best year ever” growth and significantly accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. Prior to GEM, she led marketing communications efforts to high-net-worth and high-visibility clients in management consulting-financial services companies Deloitte and American Express. She's a native of NYC and has a BA from UCLA, an MBA from Baruch College at City University of NY, and post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School, The New School and The Aspen Institute, among others. She has a Sustainability and ESG certification from Competent Boards.
