Penny Bonda, FASID, LEED AP ID+C

Penny works in the fields of environmental consulting and communications and is a prominent writer and lecturer.  She has been an active participant in the green
building industry since its early stages and has pioneered the development of many of the accepted practices and recognized standards that have defined the sustainability movement. Popularly referred to as the “mother of green interiors,” she is the founding chair of the US Green Building Council committee for LEED Commercial Interiors rating system. Her published works include Sustainability Matters, written with the General Services Administration, the highly regarded Sustainable Commercial Interiors (Wiley) and a monograph for the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications, the accreditation body for interior designers. A long time eco-contributor to Interior Design magazine’s website, Penny currently writes a monthly column for the Healthy Building Network’s newsletter.

She joined with recognized thought leaders in the green movement to form Ecoimpact Consulting www.ecoimpactsite.com - an exciting collaboration offering companies Sustainable Strategies for Better Business and the opportunity to work with experts who have a collective knowledge of the sustainability framework and a proven track record of success,

Penny was named to the National Register of Peer Professionals for GSA’s Design Excellence Program and participated in the per review of the Harry S. Truman Bldg (Dept of State) Modernization in Washington, DC.  As an invited expert by the National Research Council and the Architect of the Capitol she assisted with the scientific and technical issues related to implementing energy and sustainability initiatives throughout the U.S. Capitol Complex.

Penny has received an Honorary Doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design for her outstanding commitment to sustainable interior design. She is also the recipient of ASID’s 2007 Designer of Distinction award and the 2003 USGBC Leadership Award, the second person to be so honored. She chairs the ASID Foundation Board of Trustees, and serves on the Greenguard Advisory Council, the Healthy Building Network Board of Directors and has received honorary Senior Fellowship from the Design Futures Council.

In 1996 Penny served as the 21st national president of ASID, a 45,000-member organization that is the oldest and largest professional association of interior designers in the world and represents practitioners in all design specialties. Bonda has also been named a Fellow of ASID, the highest honor conferred by the society.

Taking a leading role in Marriott International’s green initiatives, Jefferson Thomas is responsible for the development of Marriott’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) volume program; working in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay brands.  Leveraging his extensive knowledge and passion for green and sustainable design, Jefferson has assisted the company to establish an exceptional relationship with USGBC: together developing innovative, leading edge program solutions.  A LEED accredited professional and registered architect, Jefferson has also been instrumental in providing design expertise to Marriott projects targeting LEED certification.

In support of Marriott International’s corporate green position, Jefferson frequently collects, analyzes, and disseminates green findings to Marriott’s Executive Green Council.  A talented environmentalist and green advocate, Jefferson was appointed to the Hotel Advisory Group for the USGBC, a team of professionals chartered to develop the new LEED guidelines for hospitality.  Additionally, he has been invited to speak at several leading industry events, including the 2007 Chicago - Hospitality Construction Conference,  2008 San Diego – CoreNet,  2008 Las Vegas - Hotel Design Conference,  2008 New York, NEWH - Annual Sustainable Hospitality Leadership Forum,  2008 Washington D.C World Bank - Potomac Watershed Conference, and the U.S. Green Building Councils 2009 annual Greenbuild conference.

Joining Marriott International over twelve years ago, Jefferson has been an integral part of Marriott’s Architecture and Construction (A&C) Design Management team, working with both new construction and renovation projects; furthermore excelling by bringing with him an additional ten years of experience in working with the renowned David M. Schwartz Architects.  Jefferson holds an MBA, MA in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.  Among other accomplishments, he is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, and Project Management Institute.