As WorldGBC opens nominations for its Board of Directors, current Chair Tai Lee Siang and Vice-Chair Lisa Bate reveal what drives their own enthusiasm for green building and the attributes behind a great Board member…
Tai Lee Siang
Tai Lee Siang is a globally renowned architect and urban planner with nearly three decades of experience. During his illustrious career, he has been the President of the Singapore Institute of Architects, President of the Singapore Green Building Council, and Group Managing Director of Ong and Ong Pte Ltd, a consultancy firm specialising in urban planning, architecture and landscaping. In 2016 he published the book Cities of Love, on sustainable cities.
“In the last 50 years, rapid urbanisation has resulted in a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions. However, urbanisation has also provided shelter, job opportunities and new paradigms of life. Having practiced architecture alongside these growing trends, I have had the opportunity to directly impact the world of sustainability.
“The World Green Building Council provides the perfect platform to transform the real estate market for the better. It brings together the global building value chain with the fullest and most diverse representation. While the needs may vary regionally, WorldGBC must provide leadership and assistance to its members to make change in their respective markets. And to ensure its success, WorldGBC’s actions must be highly organised and intentional to achieve the ultimate goal of green buildings for everyone, everywhere.
“WorldGBC’s Board is vital to this mission. It represents the engine to strategise and oversee implementation of the best way to transform the building market to a green building market. It is therefore hugely important that board positions are filled by candidates with the passion to change and foresight to lead. An outstanding board member must possess the drive to act proactively at all times, must be willing to do the right thing, and must be selfless – serving the interests of others first before their own.
“I look forward to your participation and nomination.”
Lisa Bate
Lisa Bate is a global ambassador for sustainable design, with a vast portfolio of work around the world in commercial, mixed use, healthcare, education, sport, and institutional projects. She is the Past Chair of the Canada Green Building Council, Past President of the Ontario Association of Architects in Canada, and was B+H’s (where she is currently Regional Managing Principal, North America) representative to the United Nations Environmental Protection – Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI). She is also a winner of Green Building & Design’s Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards, and was recognised by the Huffington Post as one of Canada’s leading women in architecture.
“There is nothing more exciting than when a grass roots start-up advances local, national, then global impact. I have been fortunate to live this trajectory with my professional career, with my family living and working for four years in China, as well as with my Green Building Council Board experience, first with the CanadaGBC and currently as Vice-Chair of the WorldGBC Board.
“Working with our member countries, the WorldGBC seeks to influence organisations, governments, global corporations and high-profile world leaders to align our thinking around one singular goal: “Green buildings for everyone, everywhere.” We must advance the tools and skills to enable people to design, build and operate healthy and low (better yet zero!) environmental impact buildings for all. Leadership is critical to this advancement, and especially so on our Board of Directors. So, who are we looking for?
“Are you or have you been a senior leader with global experience, expertise and influence who is passionate to drive green buildings and ready for a position of governance? Do you have Board experience that will help us with our strategy, our financial and governance acumen and do you have relationships to build our global network? If so, we would encourage you to seek nomination to the WorldGBC Board of Directors.”
If you are interested in joining our Board, please read the full Board of Directors Role Description, download a nomination form, or view a short one page summary.
Board Members must be nominated by an Established Green Building Council by 31 March 2018.
For a full list of our Established Green Building Councils, please see our Member Directory and select ‘Established’.
For further information, please contact Alexis Dangel at office@worldgbc.org.
