Keynotes
USGBC Live Washington DC Opening Keynote - June 9
Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy
Jennifer M. Granholm was sworn in as the 16th Secretary of Energy on February 25, 2021, becoming just the second woman to lead the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Secretary Granholm will lead DOE in helping America achieve President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies, creating millions of good-paying union clean energy jobs, and building an equitable clean energy future.
USGBC Live Washington DC Opening Keynote - June 9
Adrianne Todman
Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development joins USGBC Live in person in Washington, DC on June 9 to deliver keynote remarks at our opening session. The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is focused on the pursuit of economic development and creating affordable housing for low-income families and underserved communities that bear the brunt of the climate-fueled impact.
USGBC Live Washington DC Featured Keynote - June 9
Jerome Foster II
Jerome Foster II is an environmental activist, voting rights advocate, and emerging technology engineer. He sits on President Biden’s White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
USGBC Live Washington DC Featured Keynote
Michael S. Regan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Video message from Administrator Regan
USGBC Live Washington DC Closing Keynote - June 10
Nina Albert, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service
Nina Albert, Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), joins USGBC Live in person in Washington, DC on June 10 to deliver keynote remarks at our closing session. PBS is comprised of nationwide asset management, design, construction, leasing, building management and disposal of approximately 371 million square feet of government-owned and leased space across the United States and six territories.
Twin Cities Forum Keynote
After The Time of the Seventh Fire, A Green Economy Emerges
We are at a crossroads – one path is green and lush, the other, charred. Economist, Water Protector, and Author, Winona LaDuke will share why a just transition through equitable access and mindful sustainability actions will build a green economy. Winona will explore how honoring natural biodiversity, increasing access to renewable energy, designing zero-carbon intentions, and delivering on intergenerational equity will collectively support our economic prosperity. Because when we put our heads together, and choose the green path, we will deliver a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.
Twin Cities Forum Closing Keynote
Greening our Economy: Perspectives on Equitable and Innovative Urban Development
Our communities are constantly evolving and the way they are designed and developed plots the course for the health, sustainability, resiliency, and equitable access of those the community serves. Large scale projects not only provide an opportunity for economic growth and spark excitement but can have several ripple effects that spinoff smaller projects and the potential to collectively change the community moving forward. This session will bring together three leaders to share their perspectives on how developments can change the course of the communities they are designed within. We will explore how engaging stakeholders through the process can lead to positive impact, discuss the hard questions and learn how these leaders are addressing gentrification, green and healthy job creation and how the introduction of new community developments can underpin the creation of a local green economy.
Twin Cities Forum Closing Keynote
Honorable Mayor Melvin Carter
The Honorable Mayor Melvin Carter joins USGBC Live Twin Cities Forum to provide closing remarks and celebrate the success and meaningful work being done by the green building community to advance buildings of the future that offer equitable services and green spaces for communities connected to them and seek to reach all people, particularly those underserved communities most in need of financial, economic and social equity."
Boston Forum Opening Keynote
Electrifying Buildings and Climate Justice to Save the Planet
Donnel Baird is the CEO and founder of BlocPower, a climate tech company working to rapidly green America's buildings in 25+ cities. He will share why aging buildings are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions and how to solve this problem, while improving health outcomes and creating good, green jobs.
Boston Forum Closing Keynote
A Conversation with Chief Mariama White-Hammond
Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space with the City of Boston joins us for our closing session. As Chief, Rev. White-Hammond oversees policy and programs on energy, climate change, sustainability, historic preservation and open space and has extensive background embedding equity and environmental justice into Boston's communities. We’ll explore innovative city initiatives including the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) to set carbon targets for existing large buildings, the Net Zero Carbon Zoning initiative, and a city-led youth green jobs program.
Past Speakers
USGBC Live delivers inspirational moments each day.

Aaswath Raman
Assistant Professor, UCLA; Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, SkyCool Systems

Adam Grant
Organizational Psychologist, The Wharton School of Business; Bestselling Author; Host: WorkLife, a TED Original Podcast

David Brooks
Author and New York Times Columnist

Deeohn Ferris, JD
President, Institute for Sustainable Communities

Gwen Migita
Vice President Social Impact, Sustainability, Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Mahesh Ramanujam
President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc.

Dr. Monica Araya
Clean Mobility Advocate, Adviser, Decarbonization Strategist

Paul Polman
Co-Founder and Co-Chair, IMAGINE

Dr. Tara Shine
Irish environmental scientist, policy advisor and science communicator

Tom Szaky
Founder and CEO, TerraCycle

Vic Barrett
Climate Justice Activist