New Buildings Institute
Our Mission
We push for better buildings that achieve zero energy, zero carbon, and beyond – through research, policy, guidance, and market transformation – to protect people and the planet.
New Buildings Institute (NBI) is a nonprofit organization pushing for better energy performance in buildings. We work collaboratively with industry market players—governments, utilities, energy efficiency advocates and building professionals—to promote advanced design practices, innovative technologies, public policies and programs that improve energy efficiency. We also develop and offer guidance and tools to support the design and construction of energy efficient buildings.
Throughout its 20-year history, NBI has become a trusted and independent resource helping to drive buildings that are better for people and the environment.
Our theory of change includes setting a vision and defining a path forward. We then set out to create the research that serves as the basis for tool and policy development necessary to create market change. We envision a transformed built environment that is carbon-free, sustainable, and energy-efficient and supports thriving economies that benefit all people and the planet.
Looking forward, we will continue to fuel innovation that accelerates adoption of “next” practice in energy performance by the energy efficiency and building industries. NBI’s role is critical to creating low energy, even zero energy, buildings. This is a future where the built environment represent an effective use of resources, a positive force against climate change, and a driver for local economies that creates jobs and saves money for homeowners and business on energy costs. Learn more in the following documents.
Strategic Plan Summary NBI Factsheet Annual Report

Ralph DiNola
CEO
Ralph is an expert facilitator and convener providing inspiration and a pathway for business, policymakers and building owners seeking quantum advances in building energy performance.
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Amy Cortese
Director of Programs
Amy has been involved in sustainable design consulting and implementation of energy efficiency market transformation approaches for over 20 years. She is responsible for managing implementation teams covering all aspects of NBI’s work.
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Jim Edelson
Director of Policy
Jim is a leading advocate for advanced energy codes and has been at the forefront of national and local commercial energy code development of higher stringency efficiency measures.
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Cathy Higgins
Research Director
Cathy oversees the portfolio of NBI's leading-edge research work involving zero net energy buildings, measured performance, and emerging technologies. She also supports business development.
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Stacey Hobart
Director of Communications
Stacey provides her expertise across NBI projects and programs to clearly communicate progress and accomplishments while also supporting advancement for NBI’s mission.
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Kim Cheslak
Director of Codes
Kim is a building energy codes leader and content matter expert that guides the future of building energy codes throughout the United States. Her work also includes assisting leading jurisdictions to improve their use of zero based-carbon codes and energy policies.
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Alexi Miller
Associate Technical Director
Alexi has spent more than a decade working to transform the built environment through energy efficiency programs, best practices guidance, and policy development.
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Webly Bowles
Project Manager
Webly brings her wide range of experience in sustainable building to NBI's zero net energy building programs. She translates technical requirements to create practical guidance for design and construction professionals.
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Maurissa Brown
RAY Fellow
Maurissa is a recent graduate of UCLA and a RAY Diversity Fellow. She will focus her Fellowship on the intersection of energy efficiency, clean energy, and the environment.
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Diana Burk
Project Manager
Diana works to advance net zero energy and net zero carbon building codes through their development, adoption, and implementation both locally and nationally.
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Kevin Carbonnier
Project Manager
Kevin supports NBI with technical research and data analysis. He also develops and maintains systems for tracking building energy use and reporting on building systems and trends.
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Christopher Dean
Operations & HR Manager
Christopher leads NBI’s administrative team and departments including Human Resources, Operations, and Finance.
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Sean Denniston
Senior Project Manager
Sean uses his expertise for code analysis, tool development and research. He also manages NBI’s New Construction program, which provides technical resources for new construction projects.
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Maria Ellingson
Project Manager
Maria supports NBI’s zero energy and zero carbon market development efforts. Drawing on her experience in energy efficiency and coalition building, she manages NBI partnerships and collaborations for Getting to Zero.
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Leada Fuller-Marashi
Events and Partnerships Manager
Leada facilitates logistics and outreach for NBI events. She also supports NBI’s external communications through content management and stakeholder engagement.
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Mary Hansel
Controller
Mary works closely with executive management to oversee all financial aspects of NBI’s business operations.
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Susan Grant Harris
Communications Specialist
Susan supports NBI communications and stakeholder outreach by maintaining tools and client management systems that enable tech transfer of NBI research and guidance.
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Meghan Humphreys
Development Manager
Meghan coordinates fundraising and other advancement efforts for NBI. She works with NBI sponsors and partners, foundations, and other supporters to build a diverse funding mix for NBI’s mission.
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Amruta Khanolkar
Project Manager
Amruta brings her technical expertise on energy efficiency, demand response management, and mechanical design and operation to analyze building energy use, develop tools and advance energy codes and policies.
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Reilly Loveland
Project Manager
Reilly’s focus is on energy efficiency in schools; this work includes developing educational opportunities and resources for a better understanding of zero net energy.
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Mark Lyles
Senior Project Manager
Mark provides technical and design expertise, project management and research support on programs related to zero net energy buildings, new construction and commercial real estate.
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Maggie Trimbach
Office Administrator
Maggie brings her experience in administration, human resources, and accounting to NBI to support staff in reaching the organization’s mission.
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Connie Umphress
Communications Manager
Connie leads NBI’s communications efforts including publication management, brand oversight and stakeholder outreach. She also facilitates the delivery of NBI’s educational webinars.
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Kimi Narita
Natural Resources Defense Council
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Patrick O’Shei
NYSERDA
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Brendan Owens
ecountabl, Inc.
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Peter Turnbull
Board Vice President | Consultant
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Corrine Van Hook-Turner
Movement Strategy Center
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Kathryn Wright
Urban Sustainability Directors Network
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Bronwyn Barry
Board Chair, NAPHN
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Doug Baston
North Atlantic Energy Advisors
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Janice Berman
Director of Grid Innovation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
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Charles Eley
Retired Eley Associates, RA, PME, Certified Energy Modeler, ASHRAE BEMP
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Dian Grueneich
Precourt Energy Scholar, Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University
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Dave Hewitt
Retired New Buildings Institute
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David Kaneda
Founder, IDEAS Consulting
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Alexis Karolides
Sustainability Practice Leader, Point Energy Innovations
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Katrin Klingenberg
Executive Director, PHIUS
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Anica Landreneau
Director of Sustainable Design, HOK
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Vivian Loftness
Carnegie Mellon, FAIA, LEED AP, CPHC
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Vinh Mason
Senior Energy Policy Advisor, City of Portland
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Michael McAteer
Retired National Grid
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Susan Rochford
VP, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Public Policy, Legrand North America and Central America
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RK Stewart
RK Stewart Consultants, FAIA, Hon. FRAIC, Hon. JIA, Hon. AIA, LEED® AP BD+C
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Debbie Karpay Weyl
Manager for Buildings and Industry, World Resources Institute
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Senior Fellows Program
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Thanks to our valued sponsors and partners
NBI is supported by contributions from a number of entities through sponsorship and grant funding. We are extremely grateful for the faithful support of these organizations.