Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

After years of experience and accomplishments, Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah knows better than anyone that market transformation begins with people. Kimberly is a catalyst and executive leader championing the critical issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as the center of the health & wellbeing, sustainability and climate agenda worldwide.

As the Executive Vice President, Equity, Engagement & Events for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), championing the return on investment and opportunity cost for investing in a more inclusive culture for organizations, buildings and communities worldwide. As the co - chair for IWBI’s Health Equity Advisory along with 200 advisers collaborating to build the WELL Equity rating purposed to scale strategies and evidenced based interventions that address health inequities in buildings, businesses and communities around the world.

Formerly Senior Vice President of Market Transformation and Development, North America for the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Kimberly spent 18 plus years leading and directed USGBC’s 40 local community advancement teams (Chapters) along with members, volunteers and emerging professionals delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable buildings, cities, and communities worldwide.

Under her leadership, the values of service and respect undergird people-centric strategies to provide the council and the movement with a strong foundation of stakeholder-based support. Kimberly’s love for people stems from a solid base of faith and family. She is a minister and past leader of women’s and youth ministries for Harvest United Ministries, Clinton, MD (United Churches of Jesus Christ - Apostolic.)

Kimberly is a movement builder who developed the award winning Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. Part market development platform and part tent revival, Greenbuild was created to propel thought leadership and be the epicenter for sustainability in the built environment and beyond. Under Kimberly’s guidance, Greenbuild became the largest sustainability conference in the world with an annual operating budget exceeding $15 million, 28,000+ attendees, 1500 exhibitors and sponsors, 700+ global speakers, and 500+ media outlets. In 2014, Greenbuild was acquired by Hanley Wood LLC (and later Informa) to grow the show and expand it globally.

Recognizing the journey of women in the built environment, Kimberly fights for gender equality. She created, and lead, the global Women in Green (WIG) mentorship programs, summits, and events in the US, Brazil, China, Europe, India, and Mexico.

Focusing on building community power, Kimberly is chair of the board of directors for Groundswell, a nonprofit community solar and energy equity leader. She also serves on the board for PaceNation and Elevate Energy as the diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader.

Grounded in her belief in the power of face to face convening she has shared her people first visioning on various hospitality sector advisory boards to include Starwood Hotels, Marriott International Hotels, and the convention and visitors’ bureaus in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Denver.

Kimberly has been recognized with numerous awards including the GB&D magazine 2018 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award (WSLA). In April 2011, Kimberly received prestigious recognition as the White House Champion of Change for Clean Energy. She was also named in Glamour Magazine’s 70th Anniversary 70 Women Leaders to Know in Sustainability.