Globally renowned leaders across multiple industries will advise on advancing health through the continued growth and impact of Fitwel

New York, NY, November 2, 2017 — The Center for Active Design (CfAD), an international not-for-profit organization and operator of the Fitwel Certification System, today announced the creation of the inaugural Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) and Fitwel Advisory Councils. The Fitwel LAB and Councils brings together pioneering companies across the finance, healthcare, real estate, design, and sustainability sectors to advise CfAD on maintaining Fitwel’s vision and strength of product by providing strategic direction for its continued impact and growth. CfAD will continue to expand on the members of the LAB and Councils to reflect Fitwel’s expansion in the coming years. Fitwel is the world’s leading healthy building certification system, jointly developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. General Services Administration.

CfAD is pleased to welcome Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Tishman Speyer as the founding members of the Fitwel LAB. Their leadership and guidance are critical to Fitwel’s transformative impact on the building industry.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), the first company to become a First-in-Class Fitwel Champion and a Global Strategic Partner, is a pioneering urban office REIT focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses. Earlier this year, Alexandria was recognized as the top company in the United States for promoting health and well-being, according to results from the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). Through its commitment as a Fitwel LAB founding member, Alexandria has further solidified its leadership in promoting and enhancing health and wellness in the workplace.

“Fitwel helps Alexandria optimize our building design and operations to create sustainable and vibrant environments that support the health, productivity and success of our tenants and employees,” said Vincent R. Ciruzzi, chief development officer of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. “Through the Fitwel LAB, we look forward to providing CfAD and the real estate industry with our guidance and expertise so that the awareness and practice of healthy building practices continues to accelerate.”

Tishman Speyer, a leading owner, developer, operator and fund manager of first-class real estate around the world, is the first Global Strategic Partner to adopt Fitwel across its portfolio.  Further establishing its position at the forefront of the healthy building movement, Tishman Speyer will seek to apply Fitwel to the majority of its buildings by the end of 2019.  Tishman Speyer has acquired, developed and operated a portfolio of over 165 million square feet with a total value of approximately US $83 billion spread over 402 assets in 30 key global markets.

“Fitwel is an outstanding partner for Tishman Speyer as we prioritize the health and wellness of our tenants throughout our worldwide portfolio,”said Jonathan Flaherty, Senior Director of Sustainability and Utilities, Tishman Speyer. “We will apply Fitwel not just in the United States, but introduce it to the Chinese, Indian and European markets, making it a global strategic resource and roadmap to create healthier work environments.”

“As an organization, the Center for Active Design aims to transform the real estate industry to elevate health as a priority. We will only be successful in achieving this goal by collaborating with experts and leaders as we continuously work to strengthen Fitwel and support global health impact,” said Reena Agarwal, chief operating officer of the Center for Active Design. “Members of the Fitwel LAB and Advisory Councils represent industry leaders and who will provide critical input into Fitwel’s growth.”

Additionally, the following companies will serve as members of the Fitwel LAB, representing their commitment to advancing Fitwel’s global impact: Anthem, Fannie Mae, Kilroy Realty Corporation, Vornado Realty Trust, Steelcase, Perkins+Will, and BOMA Canada.

“Anthem is committed to helping create a healthier generation of Americans,” says Hakon Mattson, Director of Sustainability, Anthem Inc., “Participation in the Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board confirms this commitment while helping to advance health and wellbeing best practices in building design and operations.”

“Fannie Mae believes that the manner in which affordable rental housing properties are designed and maintained creates a strong platform for healthier families and their surrounding neighborhoods,” said Bob Simpson, Vice President of Affordable and Green Financing, Fannie Mae. “Fitwel’s healthy building certification system strengthens that platform by providing multifamily property owners and developers with the tools they need to create healthier places to live for our nation’s renter population.”

“Fitwel is transforming the commercial real estate industry by helping real estate managers understand what to implement to improve health outcomes for their occupants, and through our participation in LAB we are committing to help them achieve their aggressive goals around health in the built environment,” says Sara Neff, senior vice president of sustainability, Kilroy Realty Corporation.

“Occupant health and wellness is a pillar of Vornado’s sustainability program, and we are proud to support Fitwel through its Leadership Advisory Board” says Daniel Egan, Vice President of Sustainability and Utilities, Vornado Realty Trust. “Fitwel is essential to advancing our built environment – both existing and new – so that it fosters a healthier lifestyle for our tenants, our visitors, and our surrounding communities.”

“At Steelcase, we are on a relentless mission to help people love how they work. Our research informs our understanding of the important role that wellbeing plays in achieving this goal,” says James Brewer, Workplace Consultant, Steelcase. “Our participation on the Fitwel LAB allows us a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of an important, evidenced-based tool designed to help move the needle on population and organizational wellbeing.”

“At Perkins+Will, research is part of our core mission. We therefore deeply respect and appreciate the level of research that shaped Fitwel and are proud to join the Leadership Advisory Board,” says CEO Phil Harrison, FAIA. “By using these evidence-based design strategies at all of our offices, we are better-able to ensure that all of our employees around the world will have workplaces which support their health and well-being.”

“BOMA Canada is pleased to join the Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) as the next step in our growing partnership,” says John Smiciklas, Director of Energy & Environment, BOMA Canada. “Our participation will enable us to provide input from our BOMA Canada members to further refine and strengthen the Fitwel program and help to coordinate the requirements of the BOMA BEST Sustainable Building and BOMA BEST Sustainable Workplaces certification programs with the requirements of Fitwel.”

The following companies will serve as members of the Fitwel Advisory Councils:
• Arup
• Blue Sea Development Company
• Brightworks Sustainability
• CodeGreen Solutions
• Cushman & Wakefield
• EYP Inc.
• Gensler
• GIGA 循绿/ RESET
• Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc.
• Hord Coplan Macht
• Integral Group
• LaSalle Investment Management
• Lorax Partnerships, LLC.
• Mercy Housing
• QuadReal
• Stantec
• Terrapin Bright Green LLC
• Urban Ventures
• Vitus
• WSP

Premier researcher Andrew L. Dannenberg, MD, MPH, Affiliate Professor, University of Washington School of Public Health will serve as a member of a Fitwel Advisory Council.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. General Services Administration will continue to provide input into Fitwel’s scientific rigor through the Federal Scientific and Operations Liaison Team.

About Fitwel & the Center for Active Design
Named one of Fast Company’s 2017 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Social Good, Fitwel is the premier system for optimizing building design and operations to improve health and productivity outcomes. Generated by expert analysis of over 3,000 academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and wellbeing. Fitwel was created as a joint initiative led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention together with the General Services Administration. The Center for Active Design (CfAD), an international non-profit that uses design to foster healthy and engaged communities, is the independent operator and third-party certifier of Fitwel. CfAD was awarded the exclusive operating license in 2016 with the mandate to expand Fitwel globally to the private sector. Follow CfAD & Fitwel: @active_design + @fitwel.

FITWEL & Design is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Participation by The Center for Active Design and/or any other organization does not imply endorsement by HHS.