Written By: Deisy Verdinez, U.S. Green Building Council
Amanda Brookes Selected as 2026 LEED Fellow
LEED Fellows represent the top of their fields in green building design, engineering and development
Oct. 1, 2026 (WASHINGTON) – Catalyst Partners’ President Amanda Brookes has been named a 2026 LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Amanda is among 21 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.
Throughout her career, Amanda has worked to expand the impact of LEED beyond individual certified projects by strengthening the people, practices, and markets that make high-performance buildings possible. In addition to contributing to more than 150 LEED projects and more than 1,000 project reviews, she has helped introduce emerging rating systems, educate project teams, mentor the next generation of sustainability professionals and advocate for stronger connections between LEED, building performance, and resilience. Her leadership has included Michigan’s first LEED v4 New Construction certified project, early LEED v5 adoption efforts, and longstanding service with USGBC and other industry organizations. By translating complex sustainability requirements into practical action, Amanda has helped owners and communities move from sustainability aspirations to buildings and places that deliver measurable benefits for the people they serve.
“My philosophy is simple: if we are fortunate, our work becomes an expression of who we are and an anchor of meaning,” Amanda shared. “That is how I approach LEED. This work is both a responsibility and a passion. I do not pursue recognition as a goal; I pursue better outcomes through everyday decisions, delivered consistently, and verified by performance.”
Candidates for LEED Fellows are nominated by their peers and undergo an extensive review by a committee comprising LEED Fellows and approved by the GBCI Board of Directors. Candidates must demonstrate expert-level technical proficiency as well as exceptional impact in education and mentoring, leadership, commitment and service, and advocacy over a minimum of 10 years as a LEED professional.
“LEED Fellows represent the highest level of professional achievement in green building practice,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and GBCI. “LEED Fellows have earned this distinction through careers defined by leadership, technical excellence, and meaningful contribution to market transformation. This year’s class reflects the depth of expertise and commitment that drives the LEED community and inspires the global green building movement.”
The 2026 LEED Fellows will be recognized on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership Awards Celebration at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in New York City. To register to attend the conference, visit the Greenbuild website. To learn more about LEED professional credentialing opportunities, visit the USGBC website.
Amanda’s recognition also marks another significant professional distinction for Catalyst Partners this year. In January, Vice President of Consulting, Amanda Bogner, was named an ASHRAE Fellow, recognizing her significant contributions to building performance, sustainability, and the HVAC&R profession worldwide. Together, these honors reflect the depth of leadership and technical expertise across Catalyst Partners and the team’s continued commitment to advancing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
