LEED committee volunteer spotlight 2024

Learn what motivates these three green building pros to volunteer.

USGBC's committee volunteers share a common goal of advancing sustainable market transformation and playing a critical role in developing current and future versions of LEED. Shana Scheiber, Emma Jones and Adam Stoker currently serve on the Indoor Environmental Quality Technical Advisory Committee (EQ TAG), Existing Building Consensus Committee (EBCC), and Design and Construction Consensus Committee (NCCC), respectively.

Each of these green professionals has dedicated countless hours to the careful creation of LEED v5, which will be released for second public comment in October, and has demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout the process, with Scheiber serving as the vice chair of the EQ TAG, Jones as the chair of the EBCC, and Stoker as the vice chair of the DCCC.

Here, Scheiber, Jones and Stoker share their experiences, motivations, and visions for the green building industry:

How did you get your start in the green building industry?

Jones: I started my career in HVAC design before quickly realizing that my passion was green buildings. I started on the design side, doing energy models for LEED projects, working with the design teams to evaluate energy conservation measures. From there, I started in a sustainability consulting role, with a focus on improving existing buildings' operations through data.

Stoker: Growing up with parents dedicated to environmental education instilled in me a deep respect for sustainability and conservation. This personal connection to environmental values led to a career that aligns with those principles. I was drawn to the green building industry as a place where I could make a tangible impact through green building practices.

Scheiber: I worked as an engineer in a coal-fired power plant right out of college. After a few years of that, I got a job at an energy consulting firm doing energy audits, which then inspired me to get a job as a building performance engineer at a design firm. Now, I'm a data-driven mechanical engineer with special interests in sustainable and human-focused design.

What advice would you give to a new LEED Committee volunteer?

Scheiber: Make the most of your time volunteering by prioritizing participation and speaking up during your first meeting. You were selected to join the TAG for a reason!

Jones: Do your homework and speak up often in meetings! Becoming an expert in the rating system or credit category that your committee is focused on will make you much more effective. Focus on what's important to you, and be persistent in having others understand your perspective.

Stoker: Take initiative and actively participate in meetings and discussions. This is your opportunity to shape the green building industry, and your enthusiasm will be appreciated. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification or further information when needed-everyone brings their own knowledge and perspective, and no one expects you to know it all.

What has been your favorite or most rewarding experience as a USGBC volunteer?

Stoker: Volunteering with the USGBC offers a unique dual benefit: it's a platform for continuous learning and a stage to share your own expertise. As a volunteer, you contribute your knowledge, whether it's through educating others, leading initiatives or providing valuable feedback on projects.

Jones: My favorite aspect has been getting to know and learn from my committee members. It is a rare opportunity to have discussions with stakeholders from across the green building industry. I have learned a lot from their perspectives and what they have brought to the table.

Scheiber: Hands down, attending live meetings with USGBC staff and volunteers from all TAGs. Greenbuild 2022 and the LEED Steering Committee (LSC) meeting in 2024 were big highlights for me. The multi-discipline collaboration was amazing!

What does servingon a LEED committee mean to you as a professional?

Jones: Being able to contribute to seeing that the LEED v5 rating system is something that I can use to transform my company's existing building portfolio in a meaningful, impactful and actionable way.

Stoker: There is a significant connection between volunteering on technical committees and the professional responsibility of an engineer. Professionals have a responsibility to contribute to the advancement of their field. By volunteering, we share our expertise and learn from peers, fostering collective growth.

Scheiber: I love sharing my "real-life" mechanical engineering successes and challenges related to indoor air quality. I have been working on several airport projects this year, and airports inherently have poor outdoor air quality from jet fuel exhaust. A building's basis of design needs to change due to outdoor air quality.

What aspects of LEED v5 are you most excited about or proud of?

Scheiber: I love that LEED v5 is incorporating resilience as a basic principle throughout prerequisites and each credit category. Climate consequences are already part of everyday life and will become more dramatic throughout the life of LEED v5.

Jones: The combination of transparent performance scores, with several options to achieve points, and credits with realistic best practices that buildings can put into place.

Stoker: I am excited about the inclusion of climate resilience in LEED v5. The focus on climate resilience means that buildings will be better prepared for extreme weather events and other climate-related challenges, ensuring safety and continuity.

What is one small change you wish every building would undertake to improve sustainability performance?

Jones: Every building should have access to real-time energy and water data and monitor it frequently!

Scheiber: Implementation of a "Goldilocks" ventilation design. A building needs ventilation, but not too much (energy penalty) and not too little (poor indoor air quality risk). Outdoor air quality, indoor contamination sources, human occupancy schedules, outdoor/return air treatment and control system limitations should all be considered.

Where do you hope to see the green building industry in five years? Ten years?

Jones: I hope that published building performance standards push the grid to become cleaner and that owners invest in making their buildings more efficient. I hope to see more access to both real-time and aggregated utility data for tenants and building owners who want to closely monitor their building performance.

These dedicated professionals showcase the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that contribute to the success of LEED committees. Their insights and commitment to sustainable building practices are driving the industry forward, shaping a more resilient and environmentally conscious future for our built environment. If you are interested in joining a LEED Committee, you can find more information on the USGBC LEED Committees page.

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