Elizabeth Whalen

For more than 25 years, Elizabeth Whalen has developed and led sustainability strategies for a broad base of sectors, including multinational corporations, public utilities, international NGOs and academic institutions. Much of her focus has been centered on the use of alternative materials that eliminate chemicals of concern for human health; disruptive innovations that have reshaped the global marketplace; and driving policy for positive climate impact in green building, renewable energy and CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture).

Elizabeth has had the opportunity to launch disruptive innovations that led to pioneering advances in green chemistry and biomimicry, and to regulatory successes that altered the global construction industry for the good of the environment and human health. And throughout her career, collaboration and strategic stakeholder engagement have underscored every successful program she’s launched, leveraging her ability to effectively bring people with different viewpoints together for a common goal. 

Elizabeth served on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for seven years, helping drive exponential growth in the LEED green building rating system, while successfully advocating for increased commitments to sustainable forestry and policies within LEED® that rewarded industry for taking health compromising chemicals out of their products. She has continued to spur market growth for low carbon materials and decarbonization progress in the built environment.

And in 2016 she collaborated with three colleagues to found a nonprofit focused on establishing a ramework for operational sustainability within the emerging indoor and greenhouse agricultural industry. Since then, the Resource Innovation Institute has become a leading voice in sustainability standards, industry benchmarks and best practices on both a national and international stage.

Elizabeth has undergraduate degree in Journalism and Communications and an MBA in Sustainable Business. A native Pacific Northwesterner, she spends as much time in the outdoors as she can with her family and their Bernese Mountain Dog Huckleberry.