New Frontiers of Sustainability

The judges for the New Frontiers of Sustainability Competition represent several key voices in the residential industry and cover a wide range of fields. From landscaping and exterior design to interior design, and single family to multifamily – our judges expertise covers the full gamut.

Robin Wilson, CEO, Robin Wilson Home

Robin Wilson is a pioneer in eco-friendly and green design since 2000. She was the first woman with a branded line of custom eco-friendly kitchen cabinetry, plus a licensed brand of textile products sold at retailers – generating over $82 million (wholesale) of licensed brand revenue. She is author of two award-winning books: Clean Design (2015) and Kennedy Green House (2010). She regularly appears as a speaker, on television and in print with commentary of eco-friendly design, wellness, sustainability and allergy/asthma issues.

Kari Klaus, CEO, Founder, Realty Sage

Kari Klaus is the Founder and CEO of Realty Sage, a dynamic real estate platform solving one of the largest problems to consumer adoption of high performance and sustainably built homes -- education and return on investment.   Realty Sage applies intelligence to big data, shaping consumer behavior and improving ROI on clean & smart technology investments for high performance homes and homes with renewable energy. Utilizing big data, Klaus’s award-winning tech start-up company, showcases eco-certified homes and evaluates the features of millions of homes across the country and applies a Sage Score based on the quantity and quality of a home’s sustainable features, clean energy, certifications and overall sustainable design.

Sara Gutterman, CEO, Green Builder Media

As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer.

Jen Owens, Quality Assurance Manager GBCI

Jennifer has been with the Green Business Certification Inc. since 2013. In her current role as Residential Quality Assurance Manager with GBCI, she works hands-on with the quality assurance aspects of the LEED Residential certification process, collaborating closely with the programs' global network of partners. From 2008-2013, she served as a key member of the LEED for Homes start-up team with the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to green building and certification programs, her background includes start-up programs and for-benefit ventures with an emphasis in market transformation, education, community, personal wellness and leadership. Her life’s work includes sustainability in the external environment and integrated wellness in one’s inner environment. She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, including a background in mindful land development practices, environmental assessment and earth works. Jennifer is a LEED AP with Homes and Building Design and Construction specializations.

Elizabeth Thompson, Vice President of LEED Support & Customer Service

Elizabeth is a LEED AP BD+C, Associate AIA, Green Classroom Professional who joined USGBC in 2011, bringing 15 years of expertise in the practice of architecture, with a focus on sustainable schools, civic works, advocacy, historic preservation and modern homes.  Elizabeth holds a Bachelor in Architecture degree from Virginia Tech, and a Master in Architecture degree from the University of Virginia, specializing in sustainable educational landscapes. Her favorite volunteer positions have been volunteering with the public schools, facilitating community design charettes, and serving on the board of Home Resource, a nonprofit center for sustainable construction and materials reclamation. With her husband, she constructed a small home that has been featured on eco-tours. She is passionate about collaborative processes that create places of durable beauty where communities can thrive. 