For our latest episode, Lindsay Baker and I talked with Jennifer Taranto -- a powerhouse leader in construction. Jenn has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate and construction and serves as Vice President of Sustainability at STO Building Group, a major construction company (they build everything, everywhere).
Passionate about reducing environmental impact, she drives STOBG's internal sustainability strategy, helps clients define CSR goals, guides project teams to achieve milestones, and supports efforts to lower costs and emissions. We talked with Jenn about her long-term role with Built Environment Plus, the New England-based regional green building nonprofit, and how such groups are supporting market and industry transformation.
Jenn suggests that people working on sustainability in the construction sector should be "deeply curious, have loads of tenacity, and be interested in breaking systems to build better ones." She was instrumental in shaping and launching the Contractor's Commitment (https://www.contractorscommitment.org). "We saw a real need for a system to encourage companies to track progress and engage in this transformation, she says.
As for how we're progressing -- the movement, the industry, and society -- we asked Jenn where she thought we'd be by now. Are we there? "Not exactly," she said. "Where's my hoverboard?"
Listen at https://www.designthefuturepodcast.com/episodes/jenn-taranto or on your favorite podcast platform.
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Kira Gould Hon. AIA
Kira Gould CONNECT
Mission Hills KS
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