The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

Breana Wheeler became BRE's Director of Operations in the US in June 2016, launching BREEAM USA in the US market. BREEAM is the world’s first green building rating system and today is the most widely used program worldwide with over 2.2 million registered buildings and over 560,000 certifications. Breana organizes and oversees the daily operations of the business in the United States, including the development and maintenance of the BREEAM USA technical standards. Prior to joining BRE, Breana worked for ten years as an internal advisor on environmental and sustainability risk management for large, multinational corporations and was based in London, England.   Breana is a Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and a LEED® Green Associate. She was a Fellow with the Royal Geographical Society from 2010 to 2014. She has a double BA in Geography and Political Science from San Francisco State University and an MA in Environment, Politics and Globalization from Kings College London. Expertise: BREEAM, LEED O+M, environmental risk assessment and management, carbon reporting and management, sustainability communications, training, auditing, assessment, sustainable travel planning and strategy, development of sustainability strategies, Environmental Management Systems (14001), sustainable procurement.   Gregory Patton is a member of the Sustainability Consulting Team at Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) as a Senior Sustainability & Energy Consultant. In this role, he oversees multiple projects related to Sustainable and Healthy Buildings. In addition to managing LEED, WELL, and Fitwel projects for clients, he also provides support to SIG’s Engineering Team for ENERGY STAR, Commissioning, and technical expertise centered around existing buildings.   Gregory joined SIG in January of 2022 and brings two decades of operational experience to the team. Throughout his career he has successfully operated and managed numerous large commercial buildings as well as sustainability programs for clients. Gregory’s deep understanding of building systems and his passion to create a Sustainable and Healthy Future has enabled him to excel in the sustainability space. Gregory holds professional accreditations for LEED O+M, LEED BD+C, LEED ID+C, LEED HOMES, LEED Green Rater, WELL, and is a Fitwel Ambassador and BREEAM In-Use Assessor.  Originally from Florida (GO GATORS), Gregory has adapted to Colorado life and can be found outside enjoying the 300+ days of sunshine and blue skies that Colorado has to offer. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, live sporting events, and traveling with his wife and son   Show Highlights Learn 3 things sustainability needs to deliver value and go beyond green for better outcomes.  BREEAM’s science based solutions, certification and footprint. Programs for life cycle stages for all types of buildings to make significant improvements and not just gain certifications.  The 9 categories to BREEAM’s holistic approach to handle the integrity of managing the asset in confirming data. Science driven tools and resources to identify gaps and add value to builds  Understanding the specific BREEAM Professional roles and licenses, educational requirements, and assessment process. Unpacking BREEAM Cost and price points  Carbon and energy efficiency vs Energy Star Regional components Comparisons with LEED, WELL, and Living Building Transparency and clients choice Breeana Wheeler’s Show Resource and Information   Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES

Deborah Gilboa, MD, aka “Dr. G” is a resilience expert who works with families, organizations, and businesses to identify the mindset and strategies to turn stress into an advantage. Renowned for her contagious humor, Dr. G works with groups across multiple generations, to rewire their attitudes and beliefs, and create resilience through personal accountability and a completely different approach to adversity. Author of the new book From Stressed to Resilience, she is a leading media personality seen regularly on TODAY, Good Morning America and The Doctors.  Dr. G is board certified attending family physician and is fluent in American Sign Language. She resides in Pittsburgh with her four boys.   Show Highlights Redefine your relationship with stress. Proactively plan for leveraging stress and change in your personal and professional life.  Eight scientifically most validated tools to measure growth and resilience. Understand the three reflex reactions to change and overcome the most frustrating part for leaders and change makers. Ways to empower your teams with more transparency, autonomy and choice.  Strategies that help grow human resilience and infrastructure resilience.  Create the ability to build connections, set boundaries and set goals. Green building practitioners persevere in the face of adversity all the time. Create a plan to manage discomfort in a safer way.   “Resilience is the ability to navigate change and come through it mission focused. For a person, that means the ability to navigate change and come through it with integrity and purpose aligned to your own purpose for an organization that is the ability to navigate, change and come through it aligned to your mission for a building.”  -Dr G Dr G’s Show Resource and Information   Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES

Lauren Sparandara has over 15 years of experience as a green building leader where she has been a champion for green building projects in California and across the globe. For the past eight years she has worked for Google’s Real Estate and Workplace Services team where she is currently a Bay Area Sustainability Partner. In her role she advances Google's efforts to optimize our built environments for the health and performance of Googlers and the natural environment. For the six years prior to Google, she was a Senior Green Building Consultant for the DNV GL Group. Mrs. Sparandara obtained her environmental management degree from Yale University and her architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a LEED Fellow and Living Future Hero. She has taught many green building courses and contributed to a variety of green building publications, blogs and podcasts. Over her career, she has volunteered with sustainability rebuilding efforts at Historic Green in New Orleans, was appointed to be part of the City of Mountain View’s Sustainability Task Force, and was a member of the USGBC Materials and Resources Tag. Show Highlights A visionary approach to thinking about buildings. The challenge and honor of working at a place like Google with regard to green building projects and opportunity.   Lauren unpacks her role as Bay Area Sustainability Partner within the Real Estate and Workplace Services team at Google to unite workstreams.  Determine best practices and minimum sustainability building goals on diverse projects. Key components to circularity and sustainability.  The exciting challenge of building and selecting materials to meet California and Google mandates.  Work towards the interconnected components of the sustainability spectrum.  Lauren shares a powerful list of women who supported her journey to becoming a LEED Fellow.  “We want to stay focused on this idea of how interconnected everything is.  I think sustainability professionals are really smart and experienced at this, but we don't want to lose sight of the other elements like circularity, health, materials, ecology, biodiversity, water. All these different components of sustainability.” -Lauren Sparandara Lauren Sparandara ’s Show Resource and Information Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES

Ralph Bicknese, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, LEED Fellow is a nationally recognized sustainable design leader with over 40 years of experience and is a principal and co-founder of Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects. His expertise has been demonstrated throughout his career starting with sustainable community committee work with the City of Ames, Iowa in 1980 and most recently on several pioneering projects seeking certification to the Living Building Challenge and/or the LEED Green Building Rating System. Mr. Bicknese has significant experience in all phases of the architectural process including as a principal with complete project responsibility. Ralph’s objective is for every act of design and construction to enrich life.   His role as sustainability consultant for The Gateway Arch National Park Arch Visitor Center & Museum is his largest project to date at over $130 million in project cost. It involved a complex international team, and achieved LEED Gold certification in January 2019.   Ralph assisted in the founding of the U.S. Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter where he served as Chair, Past Chair, Program Chair, Government Advocacy Chair, and as the chapter’s Green School Advocate. He was a juror on the USGBC-Minnesota Chapter’s 2011 Leadership in Sustainability Awards, served on two Greenbuild Session Selection Committees, the Greenbuild 2005 Program Committee, USGBC Advisory Committee on Haiti Recovery, initiated, helped organize and facilitate the Katrina Charrettes at Greenbuild 2005, and was a contributor to The New Orleans Principles. Ralph is a former board member of the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (Washington, DC) and Vice Chairman of the SMART Sustainable Building Product Committee (Washington, DC), served on the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District Sustainable Futures Committee, serves on the Maplewood, MO Sustainability Commission, is 2019 Co-chair and Chair-elect of the AIA Materials Knowledge Working Group, a member of the AIA Sustainable Leadership Group and is a frequent mentor, juror, panelist and lecturer for architectural and sustainability courses. He served on Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s Home Building and Residential Energy Efficiency Panel in 2009, served as an Advisor on the State of Missouri MDNR-Department of Energy Missouri Energy Stakeholder Process in 2011, was a peer reviewer for the Public School District’s Adherence to Guidelines For Environmentally Sound Practices in 2010 and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Missouri’s Energy Efficiency Potential: Opportunities for Economic Growth and Energy Sustainability in 2011, and worked with State Legislators to establish the Missouri Green Schools Legislative Caucus in 2009.   Ralph is an ardent champion and advocate for transformative green building at local, state and federal levels. He has served and continues to serve on several boards and committees dedicated to widespread sustainability, has participated in several publications and is a frequent mentor, juror and panelist for students at K-12 schools, universities and colleges and frequently lectures on numerous facets of green building. Show Highlights Benefits and support of various trade organizations. Volunteering tips to transform sustainability and your career.  Sneak peek into the AIA and Mindful Materials presentation at the AIA Chicago Conference.  Ralph reflects on some pioneering projects and tackling earlier energy crises.  ​​Ames Sustainability action plan is a model for others to follow. AIA’s resources and action committee to “Propel the bell” for practitioners to adopt sustainability. Materials Equity Climate action Framework for design excellence Ten principles Choosing less harmful products to protect “fence line” communities and people within buildings.  Climate Action Equity for a holistic approach and material selection pledge.  EC3 tool and common materials framework to select carbon content products and lifecycle analysis. Ralph's vision of where buildings, regenerative design, and materials will go using nature as a model.  “A huge driving factor is that we really need to be addressing climate action through design. It has to do with operational energy, embodied carbon, and equity. We have to do a better job of making designs more equitable…” -Ralph Bicknese   Ralph Bicknese’s Show Resource and Information Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the ! Copyright © 2022 GBES

Dennis Stinson is the Vice President of Sales for Fujitsu General America, a global manufacturer with distributors in local communities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and he brings over 30 years of industry experience.    Dennis leads a team of sales professionals, selling well over $300M of Fujitsu products. At Fujitsu, Dennis has held the responsibilities of Regional Sales Manager in the Mid-Atlantic and The Director of National Accounts. Prior to joining Fujitsu, Dennis spent his career as a Manufacturer’s Representative representing various Manufacturer’s in the HVAC industry throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.   Show Highlights   Paybacks that bring emotion and economics into mandates.  A look back on Dennis’ sales career.  The growth and momentum in the HVAC market. Resources and websites to assist with common sense and compliance. Managing changes to efficiency ratings for HVAC equipment in different regions.  A glance at refrigerants 123, 134 and the impact of the 2015 mandates in equipment for specific industries.  Challenge between energy efficiency, giving more control to occupants, and more comfort overall.  Hybrid workspaces Balancing Temperature vs Wallet Comfort Zoning for Comfort The mindset shifts from (normal) sales to consultative sales. The three motivators of sustainability.   “When you take a look at a business opportunity or a proposal for a project, you don't have to have the best solution. You're never always going to have the best solution. You have to have a reasonable solution that everybody involved can stick their thumbs up and say, ‘Yeah, that makes sense for me, my company, my people, and my client.’”  -Dennis Stinson    ! Dennis Stinson’s Show Resource and Information Disney CEO Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES

We apologize for the lack of show notes this week.  For the unedited transcript click .   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to  to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community! If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the ! Copyright © 2022 GBES

John Powers is an entrepreneur with broad experience leading software and consulting firms, extensive direct experience with startup, growth, financing, and operation of successful companies. He’s a mentor for Bay Area startups in the intelligent energy economy. An energy expert with three decades experience working with the world's leading utilities, as well as their customers and suppliers - about half that time as a consultant, and half as a software entrepreneur. Unlike most people in electricity markets, he’s comfortable working on both the customer and utility sides of the meter. He led Energy Interactive from founding to funding to exit, and served as Director of Retail Software at ABB. He’s the founder and co-chair of the PLMA Distributed Energy Resource Integration interest group; they organize bi-annual workshops for utilities and industry leaders in this growing field. He has authored over 100 papers and reports on energy efficiency, demand response, DER integration, resource planning, load forecasting, renewable energy, rate design, transmission markets, dispatch modeling (including economic and carbon-minimizing dispatch), and more. He’s spoken at more than 100 industry events on topics from metering and billing to transmission market manipulation. Specialties:  CEO with proven leadership, management, analysis, and execution expertise. Deep expertise in energy markets, including energy efficiency, demand response, renewables, rate design, transmission markets, demand-side program design and evaluation, metering and billing. Strong marketing, sales, and business development experience.  Specific skills include:  Team building, company strategy, market strategy and tactics, grid computing, economic and statistical analysis, project management, contract negotiation, expert testimony. Show Highlights John uses his expertise in energy and utilities to explain the difference between demand, consumption, KW and kilowatt hours Extensible Energy’s 4 Cs of Carbon and the importance of how renewables factor with clients. nto the more purpose driven climate, the and green buildings world Help sorting the difference between croptec, cleantech, climate tech. Tips on how to clean up the grid and electrify everything. Operating steps inside the building to minimize cost and carbon footprint to keep you in control and sustainable. Why do you have to make the load side of the grid more flexible? The first priority of utilities for their customers.  “Energy is quite cheap. Reliability is expensive. Reliability requires building a lot of infrastructure, some of it redundant, and has very little to do with the expense of producing the power and every bit to do with the expense of keeping it reliable.” -John Powers    John Power’s Show Resource and Information   Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community! If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the ! Copyright © 2022 GBES

On May 5th, 2022, I was in Munich, Germany as part of GBCI Europe’s Circle Conference (a LEED reunion). I was fortunate to go LIVE on stage and interview Peter Templeton the President and CEO at U.S. Green Building Council/Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI). Then, we go into a great Q&A with the audience.   LINKS

Paola graduated in 2001 in Architecture at the IUAV University of Venice; she’s been a member of the Trento Architects Order with n. 1037 since 2002 and in 2003 she received the qualification of Spanish Architect. She has been involved in sustainability since 2007 and in 2012 founded Macro Design Studio, of which she’s CEO and Technical Director. In 2014 she led to certification as LEED AP BD+C the first building in Italy according to the LEED for Retail 2009 Gold level protocol; in 2015 resulted in certification as LEED AP ID+C the first building in Europe according to LEED v4 ID+C for Retail protocol; in 2018 as LEED AP BD+C the first building in Italy according to LEED v4 BD+C protocol: NC Gold level and again in 2020 – as LEED for Homes Green Rater – certifies the first LEED BD+C project: Multifamily Midrise v4 in Europe, Platinum level. Show Highlights Paola shares how to determine what green building rating system to use on a project. Green buildings in Europe and Northern Italy.  The importance of making the regenerative approach and regenerative design more popular. Macro Design Studio Promoting women in green building. Variety of programs and projects Tips on how to best communicate with clients. Why networking, collaborating, and education is vital to your career? “My hope is that this is the moment for Living & Regenerative Buildings, because this is the way we will finally have a building with a positive environmental impact.”  -Paola Moschini   Paola Moschini’s Show Resource and Information Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community! If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES

Daniel Overbey, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, EcoDistricts AP, Fitwel Ambassador, is the Director of Sustainability for Browning Day in Indianapolis and an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Ball State University's R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. His work focuses on high-performance building design and construction, environmental systems research, LEED and WELL-related services, energy modeling, resilient design, and evidence-based design.   Current Affiliations: American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Indiana Chapter American Solar Energy Society (ASES) International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) – Indiana Chapter   Show Highlights The value of being active in AIA and your local USGBC chapter.  Effective ways to see change through advocacy and education. Solar Decathlon, pedagogical framework fused into an architectural studio. Debunking rumors surrounding LEED.  A peek into Indiana, LEED platinum projects and the challenges in building in a four season region. Issues related to renewable energy and the economic payback of that.  Why we are against the clock on embodied carbon. The need to invest in existing building stock and the rate of change. “If you have an opportunity to try to blaze a new trail and try to do something that no one's done before, you should try to do that. That means something when you can show others what's possible. Show that pathway. Anytime you have an opportunity to try to set a new bar somewhere, go after it and try to do it as best you can.” -Daniel Overbey Daniel Overbey’s Resources & Contact Info: Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community! If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2020 GBES