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The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie CichettiAuthor: Charlie Cichetti
Do green buildings matter to you? This podcast fuels your fire with inspiring interviews from industry and nonprofit leaders across the built environment. Not sure if green building matters? Listen to the personal stories of our guests and let Charlie's passion help convince you why green buildings are essential to our shared future. Each episode illustrates a unique journey through sustainability and towards resilience. Charlie explores the challenges and celebrations of the movers and shakers in the green building industry. Hear behind the scene stories from the inner world of green and healthy building design, construction, and management. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Careers, Design Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Theresa Lehman Returns: Net-Zero Schools, LEED v5 & Greening the Midwest.
Episode 421
Wednesday, 25 February, 2026
📣 The Green Impact Report Quick take: LEED Fellow Theresa Lehman is back on the podcast! Since her first episode in 2021, she's doubled down on big-impact projects — like delivering one of the largest net-zero middle schools in the U.S. and advising on next-gen data center sustainability. If you're navigating LEED v5, IRA funding, or how to scale sustainability within a large firm — this episode is your roadmap. 🙋♂️ Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Theresa Lehman is one of the original LEED Fellows and a driving force in the Green Building movement across the Midwest. She grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin, studied construction management, and quickly became one of the first professionals to pilot LEED v2 in the region. Now at Myron Construction, she leads sustainability strategy across a $1.7B company and delivers award-winning schools, data centers, and manufacturing projects that set new benchmarks for health, energy, and carbon outcomes. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Theresa Lehman revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 📌 Key Insight #1: Scaling LEED from Pilot to Powerhouse The Challenge: Construction industry waste and zero awareness of sustainable practices in the late 90s. The Solution: Theresa piloted LEED v2 on one of Wisconsin's first green government buildings, then joined the team that created the LEED exams and training workshops. ROI: Helped normalize LEED in commercial construction and advanced its national adoption. 📌 Key Insight #2: Schools as Engines of Health and Growth The Challenge: Traditional school buildings ignored occupant wellness and long-term community ROI. The Solution: Projects like Lake Mills Elementary (LEED v4 pilot) prioritized daylight, air quality, and biophilic design. ROI: 75% drop in asthma medication, 15% fewer absences, increased test scores — and new subdivisions opened to meet demand. 📌 Key Insight #3: The IRA Advantage for Net-Zero The Challenge: Budget limitations often block net-zero designs in public school systems. The Solution: Leveraged the Inflation Reduction Act for Menasha Maplewood Intermediate & Middle School, funding PV systems and energy upgrades. ROI: $5.3M in support, net-zero electricity, and on track to be the largest verified zero-net-energy middle school in the U.S. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "Movement doesn't happen individually — it happens in groups." — Theresa Lehman 🧗♂️ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit your team's waste diversion efforts — start with the job site dumpster. This Quarter: Evaluate IRA funding or local incentives for energy or health upgrades. This Year: Target a net-zero pilot school or municipal project and build a dream team. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: https://gbes.com/podcast/ 🗒 Read the transcript here 👩🏻💻 Connect with Theresa Lehman: Website: miron-construction.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalehmanleedfellow/ 🎧 Missed her first appearance? Go listen to: How to Inspire Sustainability Throughout a Large Construction Company (Ep. 164 | March 17, 2021) 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe ♻️ Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2026 | Good Green Fun.
