Better buildings are our legacy
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC’s 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.”
USGBC builds on this vision through the development and improvement of the LEED rating system, the LEED professional credentials, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders and USGBC member organizations, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and other USGBC initiatives, as well as through advocacy and outreach that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.
LEED is an achievement in better building
USGBC's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings.
2.2 million +
square feet, or 205,800 square meters, of space is certified LEED daily.
92,000 +
LEED projects, comprising over 19.3 billion square feet, or 1.8 billion square meters, of construction space.
165 +
countries and territories with LEED projects.
1.6 million +
residential units registered or certified with LEED.

The hallmark of LEED is its open and transparent development process.
LEED is developed by thousands of committee volunteers who specialize in various science, specialty and industry fields. LEED follows a consensus based, continuous improvement process. New versions of the rating system and released and subject to public comments and review. Any changes are balloted by USGBC members before finally being released. No other rating system undergo the rigorous development that LEED does, which has propelled it to the most widely used green building program in the world. The current version of LEED is Version 4; LEED Version 4.1 is expected in early 2018.

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 is 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.
Initiatives support our vision
At USGBC, we continue to support sustainable development through professional certificates, green building education, advocacy efforts, events and more.
The LEED professional credential suite signifies leadership in the field and active participation in the green building movement by contributing expertise in the design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings and neighborhoods that save energy, use fewer resources, reduce pollution, and contribute to healthier environments for their occupants and the community. USGBC certificate programs are also available for those looking to advance green homes and schools.
USGBC offers best-in-class sustainability and green building education to grow your knowledge and fulfill continuing education for LEED credentials, AIA, and others. Education @USGBC includes the LEED v4 web-based reference guide the ability to learn anytime from anywhere in the world, with online and offline components; content in ten languages that is regularly updated and refreshed by partners; the ability to fulfill continuing education requirements for all LEED credentials; and streamlined CE reporting experience.
USGBC is a movement of community leaders, professionals, businesses and innovators working to accomplish a single bold vision: healthy, efficient and equitable buildings and communities for all. USGBC members make an impact within their sphere of influence and advance the movement for a more sustainable built environment. Employees of member organizations receive exclusive access to resources, education and programs. Join today.
Many of USGBC’s local chapters have merged into the national USGBC organization. The USGBC community consists of one integrated network of local, regional, and national leaders. Prior to 2016, USGBC had 76 chapters that were separate 501(c)(3) organizations. Chapters that did not integrate, continue to be chapters of USGBC, retaining separate governance structures. USGBC communities are driving the mission and vision locally.
The Greenbuild Conference & Expo is the world’s largest event dedicated to green building. Greenbuild is held in the U.S., India, China and Brazil each year and brings together leaders from industry, government and nonprofits to learn about the newest, most groundbreaking green building products, services and technologies.
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council’s mission is to make sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. The Center sits at the intersection of buildings, curriculum and community and works directly with teachers, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to create programs, resources and partnerships that transform all schools into healthy learning environments. High-performing schools result in high-performing students, and green schools go far beyond bricks and mortar. The Center advances opportunities to educate a new generation of leaders, including sustainability natives, capable of driving global market transformation.
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
- Kate Hurst, Senior Vice President
Enterprise operations
- David Witek, Senior Vice President
- Susan Dorn, General Counsel
- Jennifer Druliner, Vice President
- Ashley Fowler, Director
Market transformation & development
- David Witek, Senior Vice President
- Roger Limoges, Senior Vice President
- Roger Platt, Senior Vice President
- Kimberly Lewis, Senior Vice President
- Doug Gatlin, Senior Vice President
Strategic partnerships & growth
- Peter Templeton, Senior Vice President
- David Witek, Senior Vice President
- 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 [email protected]. View the latest board meeting minutes.
Mike McNally, Chair; McNally Green, and retired President and CEO, Skanska USA
Bob Fox, Vice Chair; Partner, COOKFox Architects and Terrapin Bright Green
Chrissa Pagitsas, Secretary-Treasurer; Director, Multifamily Green Initiative, Fannie Mae
Paul Anastas; Professor, and Director, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University
Janine Benyus; Co-founder, Biomimicry 3.8 and The Biomimicry Institute
Aaron Bernstein; Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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
Emma Stewart; Chief Business Development Officer, Impact Infrastructure
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 [email protected].
Emma Stewart; Seat: Technology, 2017 Chair; Affiliation: Impact Infrastructure
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
Linda Chipperfield; Seat: Environmental Nonprofit Advocate; Affiliation: Green Seal, Inc.
Amy Costello; Seat: Product Manufacturer; Affiliation: Armstrong World Services
Fiona Cousins; Affiliation: Arup
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
Sara Neff; Seat: Developer/Real Estate Services; Affiliation: Kilroy Realty Corporation
Christopher Schaffner; Seat: Sustainable Practice Leader: Engineer; Affiliation: The Green Engineer, LLC
Kevin Stack; Seat: Residential Construction Leader; Affiliation: Northeast Natural Homes
Brandon Tinianov; Seat: Business to Consumer Leader; Affiliation: View Inc.
Joe Van Belleghem; Seat: Real Estate Finance and Capital Markets; Affiliation: Lend Lease
Karen Weigert; Seat: Climate and Clean Energy Transition Leader; Affiliation: Northwestern University
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.
Education
LEED
LEED International Roundtable