Boston–Stantec sustainability expert, Blake Jackson, has been named a 2021 LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)—the organization responsible for driving the implementation of the LEED green building program.
Jackson is among 21 professionals who represent leadership within the green building community and have demonstrated mastery of the technical application of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building rating system.
Jackson serves as the east coast regional sustainable design leader for Stantec out of the firm’s Boston office, acting as a company-wide resource working at the nexus of sustainability, wellbeing, and resiliency. With approximately 20 years’ experience in the built environment, he currently supports planning and permitting for several projects totaling 40 million gross square feet, including interiors, commercial, multifamily, and master planning. Jackson is a prolific author, speaker, and educator, currently teaching at the Boston Architectural College, Roger Williams University, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He previously was elected Vice President of Advocacy for the Boston Society of Architects from 2016-2018 and was named to the BD+C Magazine “40 Under 40” Class of 2015.
“I’m honored to be among those named to the 2021 class of LEED Fellows and the first at Stantec to earn this distinction,” said Jackson. “Green building and sustainable design are at the heart of our mission to put communities first every day. I’m proud to champion these practices in my work both as a designer and educator.”
LEED Fellows are nominated by their peers. In order to be considered, they must have made at least 10 years of exceptional impact on LEED and hold an active LEED AP with specialty credential, among other requirements. The evaluation process includes extensive portfolio review that is carried out by the LEED Fellow Evaluation Committee and supported by GBCI. The LEED Fellow program was established in 2011 to recognize outstanding LEED APs who have demonstrated exceptional impacts with LEED in key mastery elements related to technical knowledge and skill; a history of exemplary leadership in LEED; significant contributions in teaching, mentoring, or research with proven outcomes; and a history of highly impactful commitment, service, and advocacy for LEED.
“The 2021 cohort of LEED Fellows are driving the movement for sustainable buildings and healthy lives around the world,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and GBCI. “Through their commitment to LEED and the green building sector, this year’s fellows have demonstrated true leadership in the industry, and their contributions have had a real impact on people’s lives, building stronger, more resilient communities.”
Earlier this year, Stantec was named the fifth most sustainable company in the world and first in North America by Corporate Knights. The firm has pledged to carbon neutrality by 2022 as a first step in achieving net-zero operations by 2030 across its entire global footprint. Stantec is also the only engineering and design firm in the industry to earn an A- rating from CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) for the last three consecutive years.
