Entrepreneur, sustainability professional, and now as President & CEO of the Green Building Initiative (GBI), an international nonprofit dedicated to improving the impact of buildings on climate and society, Vicki Worden has supported a myriad of industries, corporations, government agencies, and international nonprofits progress sustainability goals while increasing ROI.
In an age of great change in the commercial real estate industry, Worden spearheaded creation of a decarbonization rating system for commercial buildings that launched in late 2023 with early participation from 170 buildings, across various verticals. GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero is accessible to all building owners, providing third-party assessed progress reports containing recommendations for further reduction in site energy and emissions towards a goal of net zero certification.
With Worden at the helm, GBI continues its efforts towards global expansion. Known in North America as one of only two nationally recognized commercial building certification programs, GBI’s Green Globes certification now celebrates certification of nearly 650 million square feet of commercial space and expanding into several global markets, including Central and South America, as well as the Middle East.
In her previous role as President of Worden Associates, Inc., Worden provided sustainability consulting and strategic planning expertise for a diverse range of industries including solar, wind, parking, furniture, mattress, composites, wood products, and rainwater harvesting. She is a member of Women Executives in Building and a former Chair of the National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council.
Worden holds an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Relations from West Chester University.