Christine Ervin

Christine Ervin is a national leader on market-based strategies for green buildings, clean energy, and climate change. With over 30 years of experience, Ervin addresses these pivotal issues not just through theory or rhetoric, but with demonstrable on-the-ground results from leading private-public collaborations that foster sustainable markets and technologies.

As the first President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, Ervin was pivotal in transforming the nonprofit from a startup into a powerful market force with 5,000 companies and organizations as members. Under her leadership, the organization set the LEED® building rating program as the national green building standard in the U.S. and several other countries. She also spearheaded the launch of the Greenbuild international conference and tradeshow, which in 2009 drew 29,000 attendees.

During her tenure as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy in the Clinton Administration, Ervin directed the nation's $1 billion portfolio of clean energy technologies and market delivery programs. Key initiatives during her time included a Million Solar Roofs, new private capital financing tools, a sustainable community center, streamlining nation’s appliance standards, and an EPA partnership on ENERGY STAR. She previously directed the Oregon Department of Energy, further establishing her leadership in energy policy and innovation.

Currently, Ervin serves on numerous public and private boards, including the American Council on Renewable Energy and Green Electronics Council. She is also an Editor-at-Large for Greener World Media. From her Portland-based firm, Christine Ervin/Co, she consults, speaks, and writes on topics such as "The New Industrial Revolution," "The Exuberant World of Green Buildings," and "Clean Energy." Her work continues to influence and drive forward the agendas of clean energy and sustainable environmental practices.