Event encourages participants to lead with purpose

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) West Virginia chapter is hosting its first-ever Women in Green event. Held at Marshall University on September 27 (details below), the event will bring together a panel of female leaders in sustainability. The theme for the event is “Leading with Purpose.”

“Leading with purpose means to have commitment to an ideal or a goal and work towards meeting that goal,” said Jill Watkins, Chair of the USGBC’s West Virginia chapter.

Watkins will moderate the panel. Panelists include Breanna Shell, City of Huntington Planning Director; Margie Phillips, an instructor at Marshall University; Marisa Long, USBGC’s Vice President of Public Relations & Communications; and our own Autumn Long. The panel will discuss ways women can lead with purpose to inspire others and drive continued creativity and progress.

The USGBC began its work several decades ago promoting sustainable building design practices. As the organization has grown, it has broadened its scope to include development and transportation issues. It has developed a rating system for buildings to determine how well they mitigate their environmental impacts. Locally, the organization has worked to educate West Virginia communities about sustainable building practices through tours of sustainably constructed buildings such as Marshall University’s engineering building.

In addition to the panel, attendees will be able to share experiences and network over lunch. Watkins said the event is an opportunity to brainstorm how women can lead with purpose in their own work.

“I’d like to have people be inspired to follow their passions, even if it might be either unpopular or if they feel like they’re the only ones out there,” Watkins said. “There are women specifically interested in [sustainability] issues and taking leadership on these issues. We’re not alone in creating positive change.”

Event information

Thursday, September 27
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Marshall University
Shawkey Dining Room (2E28 Memorial Student Center)
1680 5th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25755
Cost: $20 for non-members; $15 for members; students free
Click here to RSVP