Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah knows that market transformation begins with people. She is a catalyst, movement builder, and executive leader championing the critical issues of equity, accessibility and belonging as the center of the climate agenda worldwide.
As the Executive Vice President, Equity and Engagement for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), Kimberly champions 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, she collaborated with 200+ advisers to build the WELL Equity Rating, which received an Honorable Mention in the Workplace category of Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards.
Formerly Senior Vice President of Market Transformation and Development, North America for the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Kimberly spent 18 years leading USGBC’s 40 local community advancement teams (Chapters) in delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable buildings, cities, and communities. Kimberly developed the award-winning Greenbuild International Conference & Expo to propel thought leadership and serve as 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, 1,500 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.
Kimberly has served on numerous boards, including for Starwood Hotels, Marriott International Hotels, and the convention and visitors’ bureaus in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Denver. She is the past board chair of Groundswell, a nonprofit community solar and energy equity leader. Currently, she serves as Governance Committee Chair for Elevate (Clean Energy NGO) and Executive Committee Board member of PACENation (Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing). She also led the global Women in Green (WIG) mentorship programs, summits, and events in the US, Brazil, China, Europe, India, and Mexico.
Kimberly’s love for people stems from a solid base of faith and family. She is a licensed minister and past leader of women’s and youth ministries for Harvest United Ministries, Clinton, MD (United Churches of Jesus Christ – Apostolic). 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.
