Maria Atkinson AM
I am passionate about sustainability and work with the most senior people in Government and business globally to realise more sustainable practices and strategies. I am an expert in the realm of sustainability and are a highly sought after thought leader. My experience spans stakeholder engagement, governance, strategy, organizational and market transformation, and business development. I have worked in most international markets and my sustainability and social responsibility credentials, gained in corporate, not-for-profit, professional and industry organisations, are widely recognised. I have been part of some of the most important conversations about how to build a sustainable future for companies and nations that have occurred in recent times.
In 2012 I was honoured to be awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for “service to the construction and real estate sector, particularly as a leader and contributor to environmentally sustainable building development in Australia”. In 2006 I received a United States Green Building Council Leadership Award recognising outstanding leadership and commitment to green building and broader sustainability agendas on a global scale. I have contributed to and reviewed strategies for businesses in Asia Pacific, Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and the United States. I have presented at numerous conferences worldwide.
Key roles have included; Global Head of Sustainability and Executive, Lend Lease Pty Limited - An Australian public company with global operations (market capitalisation of A$4.8 billion and circa A$15.0 billion funds under management 30 June 2013); Founding CEO Green Building Council of Australia - This not-for-profit movement started with a handful of employees in 6 countries and now represents more than 90 countries and a market that is projected to be worth more than $170 billion by 2015; and Chair, UN Environment Programme Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative. I was previously Chair of the UN Environment Programme Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative, International Director of the US Green Building Council and Co-Chair, World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Sustainable Construction.
My director and advisory appointments currently include:
Director, Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction
Director, The Global Foundation
Director, St James Ethics Centre Board and Foundation
Member, Singapore Building and Construction Authority International Panel of Experts
Member, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative Property Working Group Advisory Council
Member, US Green Building Council Appeals Panel
Member, City of Sydney Design Advisory Panel
Member, New South Wales State Government Climate Change Council
Member, University of Technology Business School Advisory Board
Member, Australian Climate Change & Climate Adaptation Flagship Stakeholder Advisory