Summer Webinar Series
Session 2: Buildings & Resilience
New Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Virtual Session
12:00 - 1:00 PM
1 CE (Pending)
About the Presentation:
Join us for the second webinar in the Advancing Sustainability in the Built Environment series as we delve into how sustainability rating systems evaluate and promote resilient, high-performing buildings. This webinar will explore how rating systems such as LEED, LBC, Envision, PERFORM, and TRUE assess strategies related to energy efficiency, material selection, durability, and climate adaptability. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to design and operate buildings that can withstand evolving environmental stresses while optimizing occupant health, operational efficiency, and resource conservation.
Learning Objectives
Series Sessions:
Session 1: Sites & Water - June 24
Session 2: Buildings & Resilience - July 24
Session 3: Health, Equity, & Social Sustainability - August 20
Presenters:
Sarah Talkington, PE
Sarah has devoted her career to sustainability and resilience in the built environment. She has spent more than 18 years working for the City of Austin, currently with the Parks and Recreation Department. She’s a LEED Fellow, a New Buildings Institute Senior Fellow, a TRUE Advisor, and WELL Faculty. She started her career in the field at the intersection of acoustics, noise and vibration control, and human health and wellbeing, which led her to the field of green buildings more broadly. Sarah has been a volunteer for the US Green Business Council (USGBC) for more than 12 years, as the Chair of the LEED Steering Committee (LSC) in 2023, and now as an advisor to the Chair of the LSC. She was a core contributor to the guiding principles and framework for LEED v5.
Jill Kurtz, AIA, LEED AP
Jill's mantra is “intention requires rigor,” an apt phrase for someone committed to leading Page's efforts to embed sustainability into every project. Leveraging her strengths as a systems thinker and ability to work across disciplines, Jill has spent the last 20 years advancing sustainable design both as a sustainability consultant and also as the director of sustainability at Page.
Jonathan Kraatz
Jonathan is Executive Director for the USGBC Texas Chapter. In 2015, he was asked to lead the formation of a statewide USGBC Chapter for Texas, bringing together green building resources and knowledge from across the state. For the last decade, he has worked with Chapter volunteers to coordinate activities and green building outreach and advocacy in Texas.
