Washington, D.C. – 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.
