Kimberly Lewis

EVP, Chief Equity Officer

International WELL Building Institute

After 18 years of experience and accomplishments, Kimberly Lewis knows better than anyone that market transformation begins with people. Kimberly is a catalyst and executive leader in the global green building movement, championing the critical issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as the center of the sustainability and climate agenda worldwide.

With this vision Kimberly has recently transitioned to work with a diverse network of partners in service of a clean energy future that lifts ALL people and communities.Formerly Senior Vice President of Market Transformation and Development, North America for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Kimberly directed USGBC’s 40 local community advancement teams (Chapters) along with members, volunteers and emerging professionals delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable buildings, cities, and communities worldwide.

Under her leadership, the values of service and respect undergird people-centric strategies to provide the council and the movement with a strong foundation of stakeholder-based support. Kimberly’s love for people stems from a solid base of faith and family. She is a minister and past leader of women’s and youth ministries for Harvest United Ministries, Clinton, MD (United Churches of Jesus Christ – Apostolic.)

Kimberly is a movement builder who developed the award winning Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. Part market development platform and part tent revival, Greenbuild was created to propel thought leadership and be the epicenter for sustainability in the built environment and beyond. Under Kimberly’s guidance, Greenbuild became the largest sustainability conference in the world with an annual operating budget exceeding $15 million, 28,000+ attendees, 1500 exhibitors and sponsors, 700+ global speakers, and 500+ media outlets. In 2014, Greenbuild was acquired by Hanley Wood LLC (and later Informa) to grow the show and expand it globally.

Recognizing the journey of women in the built environment, Kimberly fights for gender equality. She created, and led, the global Women in Green (WIG) mentorship programs, summits, and events in the U.S., Brazil, China, Europe, India, and Mexico. Kimberly serves as the co-chair for the International Well Building Institute (IWBI) Health Equity Advisory collaborating on the deployment of a multi-faceted strategy to channel the collective expertise and insight of the global WELL community to help identify and scale strategies that address health inequities in buildings, businesses, and communities around the world.

Focusing on building community power, Kimberly is chair of the board of directors for Groundswell, a nonprofit community solar and energy equity leader. She also serves on the board for PaceNation as the diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader.

Grounded in her belief in the power of face to face convening she has shared her people first visioning on various hospitality sector advisory boards to include Starwood Hotels, Marriott International Hotels, and the convention and visitors’ bureaus in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Denver.

Kimberly has been recognized with numerous awards including the gb&d magazine‘s 2018 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award (WSLA). In April 2011, Kimberly received prestigious recognition as the White House Champion of Change for Clean Energy. She was also named in Glamour Magazine’s 70th Anniversary “70 Women Leaders to Know in Sustainability.”