Meeting/Event Information

WIA Panel: Sustainability in the Built Environment

This isn't just for the women in ASHRAE—this event is open to ALL members! 

How do we really “sustain” the sustainable buildings through the day to day operations and overall lifecycle?  

Drawing on the experience of professionals who lead major energy retrofit initiatives, manage utilities and oversee energy programs, this Women in ASHRAE panel will explore how the definition of a truly sustainable built environment has evolved over the last 10 years, expanding beyond energy efficiency into maintenance, digital transformation, community impact, and long‑term asset stewardship.

The discussion will highlight often overlooked opportunities for savings within existing buildings, the crucial role of preventative maintenance in total cost of ownership, and the invisible labor/operational losses that shape day‑to‑day performance. Panelists will discuss how responsibility should be shared between asset management and operations, how to include tradespeople and equipment owners meaningfully in decarbonization efforts, and how tools such as digital twins, AI  are reshaping building operations while introducing new challenges. The conversation will close out with a discussion why women are increasingly dominating the fields of energy reduction and sustainability engineering.

• 11:00am  -  Social Hour
• 12:00pm  -  Lunch/Introductions
• 12:10pm  -  Panel Discussion
• 2:00pm  -  Adjourn