Exciting competion in Mumbai, India. What started with 650 schools proposing local initiatives they could implement at their schools ended with the finalists, three schools, presenting at the 25th India Green Building Council Congress. Kath Williams was honored to serve as one of the four jurors for the finals. All three schools were given grants to implement their strategies.
Inagurated 19 years ago as the "Green-I" competition, the IGBC Green Your School Programme is now an annual contest for government and private schools across India, on coming up with ideas to convert their existing school building into a green one! Under the programme, schools are encouraged to brainstorm and share with their green ideas on making their school campus more environment-friendly. The top-3 schools with the most innovative ideas on sustainability are awarded the grant for implementation each year and are certified as a Green School.
This year's final three came from three distinct parts of India and their proposed projects reflected the climate-zone where they lived, such as subtropical, urban, and high mountain environments.
The inspiration of spending an afternoon with the students is unforgettable. They are the future and it is GREAT!
The USGBC annually the IMPACT award for Organizational Excellence. The award is named for Dr. Malcolm Lewis, an early founder of USGBC and an impactful leader in building research. As part of the award, $10,000 is donated to a worthy organization aligned with the values of the award.
The combined teams (staff, board, technical advisory groups, volunteers) who designed, developed, and promoted LEEDv5 are the organization of excellence. Kath Williams was honored to serve on several advisory groups that have been named in this award.
The $10,000 donation goes to Build Reuse as this year’s donation recipient, based on votes of the USGBC membership!
Build Reuse is a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming construction and demolition waste into local resources. Their work empowers communities to reinvest the inherent value of existing materials, creating economic, environmental, and social benefits. Their commitment to sustainability, circular economy principles, and workforce development in the deconstruction industry makes them a fitting partner for this award and a powerful ally in our shared mission to advance green building.
Check out this group at Build Reuse!
Kath Williams and Randy Hafer presented "Sustainable Solutions Across Montana" in a Fireside Chat during the USGBC Forum. Held June 26, 2025 at Montana State University, the two took questions from the lively audience about the progress seen in sustainability since the State's LEED movement began in the mid-1990s.
The Forum was kicked off by Charlie Woodruff, Regional Director for USGBC, giving a LEEDv5 overview. The audience heard an eye-opening to LEED-Cities certification by Louis Engels, Water Quality Superintendent from Billings, Montana's first LEED-Certified (Gold) City. Lizzie Peyton, director of Big Sky SNO, discussed the challenges of bringing together a diverse ski resort. Kristin Blacker and her team from MSU Sustainability Office closed the Forum, taking the group on a tour of the LEED-Platinum American Indian Hall on campus.
USGBC+ magazine featured retiring president of Montana State University, Waded Cruzado, in an article released today. She will be missed!
Read article here...
On August 3, 2023, Chloe Naese became a LEED-GA with nearly a perfect score on the exam. This comes on the heels of her earning a Master of Landscape Architecture degree at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture in May of 2023.
Montana State University School of Architecture invited Kath Williams to present on "Issues In Sustainability" for Architecture 231. The class, facilitated by Stephanie Irwin, former intern for Kath Williams + Associates, draws students from all disciplines across campus. The newest building on campus, American Indian Hall, earned LEEDv4 Platinum and will be dedicated October 17. A photo of the drum room ceiling is shown above.
The Energy Innovation Center (EIC) was targeted to be LEED-GOLD from concept stage, under the leadership of Developer and Contractor REL Facilities, Inc. and Ormond Builders.
On October 24, 2013 the Indian Green Building Council honored Kath by recognizing her as the first inductee into the IGBC Hall of Fame.
Kath Williams was one of three early officers/leaders of the World Green Building Council at a ceremony in Toronto October 2011. Chairman Tony Arnell from Australia presented each with the council's CHAIRMAN'S AWARD for services and support of the council during its formative years.
