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Maria Atkinson AM


Special Advisor, Sustainability

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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 ​