Chicago, IL – gb&d magazine is now accepting nominations for the Fifth Annual Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards (WSLA). Now more than ever, conversations around leadership in sustainability are of utmost importance. At a time when some aim to downplay the need for green, gb&d is thrilled to offer a way to showcase and congratulate those doing sustainability’s best championing as part of the Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards. WSLA is gb&d’s top annual accolade, recognizing the most powerful women making a difference in the world through sustainability.
“We’re honored that the WSLA has widely become the most prestigious American award for women who are making lasting change in the world of sustainability,” says Chris Howe, CEO and editor-in-chief at gb&d. “We remain committed to connecting the most powerful women at the forefront of sustainability through our WSLA network.”
gb&d’s Laura Heidenreich, president, says getting all of those women in the same place makes a statement. “When you look around the room at the awards ceremony, and when you hear from each of these women and how far they’ve come and the impact they’ve had already in their careers, it’s truly inspiring. WSLA gives us a chance to recognize each other and keep pushing each other to stay the course.”
Winners are selected based on their ability to meet the following criteria:
Effectively demonstrates a dedication to working in sustainability, has helped shaped her organization through lasting change, values mentorship and has helped guide other female leaders, and has demonstrated bravery/courage in the workplace. Winners will be chosen by a jury of industry professionals—including representatives of gb&d, the Women in Sustainability Leadership Alumnae Group, and the USGBC —and will be celebrated at a dinner and awards ceremony during the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Chicago in November.
Winners will join a prestigious list of women, as past WSLA awards have gone to such notable names as Hillary Clinton, Bea Perez (Coca-Cola), Angela Foster-Rice (United Airlines), Arielle Bertman (Google), and Jeanne Gang (Studio Gang Architects).
“It’s an incredible honor to be associated with such an accomplished group of women leaders who are making positive change throughout the world,” says Rochelle
Routman, chief sustainability officer at Halstead International and Metroflor and chair of WSLA’s alumnae group. This past year, the WSLA Alumnae Group was organized to provide greater connectivity with all members to create a real network. An important mission around mentorship has also been decided. This will be further explored at the inaugural WSLA Alumnae Summit, to be held in Chicago coinciding with the fifth annual WSLA celebration and Greenbuild. “I’m so excited about recognizing the new group of women leaders for their groundbreaking work in sustainability, and ultimately welcoming them into the alumnae group,” Routman says.
gb&d is the magazine for today’s leading green professional with a mission to create a more sustainable world. gb&d is the only magazine covering green building and design across industries. It connects and inspires green building professionals by partnering with those at the forefront of sustainable design, development, planning, and policy. The publication offers a comprehensive global perspective on new projects and products created with sustainability and social responsibility in mind.
