Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Heidi Creighton is Vice President (VP) of Sustainability. In this role, Heidi will lead Skanska USA Commercial Development’s strategic sustainable initiatives across the US portfolio in Los Angeles, CA. Furthering the company’s ESG strategy, she will be responsible for identifying solutions that improve asset performance, energy management, community engagement and user experience to create the most sustainable and impactful projects in each market. Creighton will serve as a key member of the company’s leadership team reporting to Christopher Westley, Senior Vice President (SVP) for Strategic Services to support market leaders and their operational teams while integrating and expanding Skanska’s sustainability offerings with focus on Skanska’s ESG strategy.
“Skanska has a holistic approach to designing and building sustainable places, keeping the project’s full life cycle in mind. It is ingrained in what we do every day and elevated when an expert like Heidi Creighton is brought to the table,” said Robert Ward, President and CEO, Skanska USA Commercial Development. “I have no doubt Heidi will ignite thoughtful conversations through project work and advocacy that will further Skanska and its leadership team’s ambitions to drive the industry forward.
Creighton served as a Principal since 2011. In that role, she led the West Coast consulting group’s focus on sustainability, resiliency, health and wellbeing and social equity strategies in the academic, cultural, commercial, aviation and healthcare sectors. Creighton is also FAIA, a LEED Fellow, Fitwel Ambassador and is a member of the WELL Faculty program.
Show Highlights
The importance of volunteering to align with your own values, establish a network; it draws you to great people who wanna do impactful work, and discover inspiring projects.
Skanska’s sustainability umbrella with initiatives and policies to really drive sustainability across their entire portfolio.
Supplier code of conduct for all contractors and subcontractors.
How they co-develop, increase transparency, and push the envelope and test innovations.
EC3 - an embodied carbon construction calculator tool.
Advantages to connecting the main components to integrate how the developer and the construction team deliver a project.
Build understanding on climate resiliency and circularity on all green building projects.
Frame sustainability around what resonates with what customers are trying to accomplish.
Tips to have collective conversations about data collection and transparency to improve the entire industry.
“Leading with empathy, being a good listener, really trying to connect people together - are critical. In our role as sustainability experts, we are constantly asking people to change. We're constantly pushing the envelope and changing their business as usual. Generally people are averse to change, so you've got to really figure it out for each organization, individual, department, whoever you're working with, and really understand what their priorities and goals are. Then, ask yourself how can I frame sustainability around that and align it with what they're trying to accomplish.”
-Heidi Creighton
Get the episode transcript here!!
Show Resource and Information
LinkedIn
Bridges to Prosperity
Design for Freedom Toolkit
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
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 gbes.com/join 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 iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2022 GBES
Heidi Creighton is Vice President (VP) of Sustainability. In this role, Heidi will lead Skanska USA Commercial Development’s strategic sustainable initiatives across the US portfolio in Los Angeles, CA. Furthering the company’s ESG strategy, she will be responsible for identifying solutions that improve asset performance, energy management, community engagement and user experience to create the most sustainable and impactful projects in each market. Creighton will serve as a key member of the company’s leadership team reporting to Christopher Westley, Senior Vice President (SVP) for Strategic Services to support market leaders and their operational teams while integrating and expanding Skanska’s sustainability offerings with focus on Skanska’s ESG strategy.
“Skanska has a holistic approach to designing and building sustainable places, keeping the project’s full life cycle in mind. It is ingrained in what we do every day and elevated when an expert like Heidi Creighton is brought to the table,” said Robert Ward, President and CEO, Skanska USA Commercial Development. “I have no doubt Heidi will ignite thoughtful conversations through project work and advocacy that will further Skanska and its leadership team’s ambitions to drive the industry forward.
Creighton served as a Principal since 2011. In that role, she led the West Coast consulting group’s focus on sustainability, resiliency, health and wellbeing and social equity strategies in the academic, cultural, commercial, aviation and healthcare sectors. Creighton is also FAIA, a LEED Fellow, Fitwel Ambassador and is a member of the WELL Faculty program.
Show Highlights
The importance of volunteering to align with your own values, establish a network; it draws you to great people who wanna do impactful work, and discover inspiring projects.
Skanska’s sustainability umbrella with initiatives and policies to really drive sustainability across their entire portfolio.
Supplier code of conduct for all contractors and subcontractors.
How they co-develop, increase transparency, and push the envelope and test innovations.
EC3 - an embodied carbon construction calculator tool.
Advantages to connecting the main components to integrate how the developer and the construction team deliver a project.
Build understanding on climate resiliency and circularity on all green building projects.
Frame sustainability around what resonates with what customers are trying to accomplish.
Tips to have collective conversations about data collection and transparency to improve the entire industry.
“Leading with empathy, being a good listener, really trying to connect people together - are critical. In our role as sustainability experts, we are constantly asking people to change. We're constantly pushing the envelope and changing their business as usual. Generally people are averse to change, so you've got to really figure it out for each organization, individual, department, whoever you're working with, and really understand what their priorities and goals are. Then, ask yourself how can I frame sustainability around that and align it with what they're trying to accomplish.”
-Heidi Creighton
Get the episode transcript here!!
Show Resource and Information
Bridges to Prosperity
Design for Freedom Toolkit
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
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 gbes.com/join 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 iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2022 GBES








![012: Davis Richardson - Tiny House Affordable Housing
Listen to the full episode here:
https://www.gbes.com/green-building-matters-podcast/
At the age of 25, Davis Richardson already accomplished much in his life. He is the Founder, Brand Manager, and Design Director of Nomad Design-Build. Recently, he published a book called Going Tiny: Failure + Opportunity in the Future of Affordable Housing. The fact that its been on tv shows means that people are looking for it. We should move forward, so that we wont miss an opportunity to live greener and more affordably. There are also design opportunities that we can maximize. - Davis Richardson on tiny houses Passion in Baseball and Design Before attending the University of Texas, Davis attended the College of Charleston to study Historic Preservation and Community planning. He went on the receive his BA in Interior Design from Harding University. He was a student athlete, and was named 1st-Team Capital One Academic All-American in 2015 when he played baseball for the Harding Bisons. Pursuit in Architecture Davis is currently a M.Arch Candidate studying at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. His career goal is to become a licensed architect. Sustainability was a big part of his education. This is a major issue that we have to deal with, and architecture has the opportunity to make a big difference. - Davis Richardson Mentors from the Community Davis sincerely appreciates his mentors. His first mentor was Greg of Smith Dalia Architects in Atlanta. He honest feedback and encouragements ushered him forward in his career. You cant be afraid to ask. You have to know that what you are asking [involves] someones time. - Davis Richardson on having a mentor Another mentor was his college professor in the interior design program. She made him think closely about design and also encouraged him in his pursuit. Nowadays, social media have made it easier to learn from others and get involved in the community. To hear about Davis Richardson and how he is making a difference with affordable housing, download and listen to the episode! Connect with Davis Richardson: Davis’ official website LinkedIn Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES: Charlie on LinkedIn Green Building Educational Services GBES on Twitter Connect on LinkedIn Like on Facebook Google+ GBES Pinterest Pins GBES on Instagram Dont forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes if you truly enjoyed the show. We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast! 012: Davis Richardson - Tiny House Affordable Housing](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uXHEIMfZIC4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Global Green: Shaping the Future of LEED and Wellness with Mercedes Oviedo
Mercedes Oviedo has a MSc in Bioclimatic Architecture and Environment fromTechnical University of Madrid School of Architecture, a MSc in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Madrid School of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Her sustainability project management experience includes a range of LEED-certified projects and other certifications.
She has also been part of the LEED International Roundtable Committee since 2011, where she has contributed to the globalization and regionalization of LEED across Europe. She has also been an educational speaker at Greenbuild Brazil.
At e4, inc. Mercedes Oviedo is an Associate and LEED project manager. She has expertise in green building sustainability practices, as well extensive technical knowledge in passive architecture, energy-efficiency and water-efficiency strategies for buildings and their applications in different regions.
Her previous professional experience has been in international projects, most of them consisting of large-scale office buildings and mixed-use developments. She has experience in leading multidisciplinary project teams, helping them achieve sustainable goals by applying an integrated approach. Additionally, Ms. Oviedo has been committed to and involved in promoting sustainability education, working for three years with Green Building Council Spain (GBCe) on their LEED educational program.
Show Highlights
Better understanding the LEED certification system and other certifications like Fitwel and Envision.
Mercedes encourages individuals to seize opportunities in an evolving industry with great potential for growth.
How LEED has evolved into a global certification system.
Examination of international standards and perspectives on LEED certification with the LEED International Roundtable Committee.
Integration of LEED certification with other certifications like Fitwel and Envision green infrastructure certification.
Importance of credentials in sustainability careers.
Mercedes shares the importance of gaining a global perspective on LEED certification.
“This new generation has brought [Wellness] to our attention. Emotional stability is very important. We have to pay attention to how everyones feeling within the work environment. Are we designing these spaces in a way that people are excited to come? Do they feel healthy? Theyre not only healthy, but they feel healthy.”
-Mercedes Oviedo
Get the episode transcript here!!
Show Resource and Information
A Blue Mind
The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Engineers Wife
Linkedin
Envision
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
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 www.gbes.com/join 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, dont forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes. We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast!
Copyright © 2024 GBES Global Green: Shaping the Future of LEED and Wellness with Mercedes Oviedo](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ufuI2nS8Now/mqdefault.jpg)
