University of Oklahoma Alumnus Named a 2020 LEED Fellow

Founder and President of C-Wise Design and Consulting, Martha Norbeck, has been named a 2020 LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Norbeck is among 25 professionals who represent exceptional practitioners and leaders within the green building community and have demonstrated mastery of the technical application of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Norbeck is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Master of Architecture program (class of 2002).

Through her 20-year career as an architect and sustainability professional, Martha Norbeck has consulted or advised on over 50 LEED certified projects, including the first and second LEED Platinum homes in Iowa. She has provided LEED consulting services on many notable projects across the state, including at all three public universities, counties and cities, school districts, and private businesses and residences.

Norbeck serves as chairperson of USGBC Iowa, serves on the boards of Environmental Advocates, Johnson Clean Energy District, and Think Bicycles Iowa City, and is a former member of the Iowa City Climate Action Steering Commission and the AIA Iowa Environmental Working Group.

“I am so excited and honored to be named a 2020 LEED Fellow,” says Norbeck. “Core to the concept of sustainability is the creation and maintenance of a built environment that is healthy, resilient and serves our communities without taking up additional resources unnecessarily. I have used the LEED rating system in my work as a catalyst to achieve this, because I believe it is a standard bearer for building better buildings.”

LEED Fellows are nominated by their peers and must have made at least 10 years’ worth of exceptional impact on LEED and hold an active LEED AP with specialty credential, among other requirements. The evaluation process includes extensive portfolio review and is carried out by the LEED Fellow Evaluation Committee and supported by GBCI. The LEED Fellow program was established in 2011 to recognize outstanding LEED APs who have demonstrated exceptional impacts with LEED in key mastery elements related to technical knowledge and skill; a history of exemplary leadership in LEED; significant contributions in teaching, mentoring, or research with proven outcomes; and a history of highly impactful commitment, service, and advocacy for LEED.

“The green building industry plays a critical role as we look toward rebuilding our economy and our communities in the months and years ahead,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of GBCI and

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “Our LEED Fellows are on the frontlines of that work helping to ensure our buildings and spaces are healthy, resilient and sustainable places for us all to enjoy. LEED Fellows have made substantial contributions to the green building community and their commitment to LEED will continue to help us shape a better living standard for all.”

The 2020 LEED Fellows will be recognized at this year’s Greenbuild Virtual conference during the  USGBC 2020 Leadership Awards on Thursday, November 12 at 5 p.m. EST. Visit greenbuildexpo.com to register for the conference and usgbc.org/credentials for more information on professional credentialing opportunities.