Sonia Punjabi is a technical leader, industry expert, and key influencer in international environmental sustainability, green buildings, energy efficiency, zero energy, and high-performance buildings. In her current role as the senior manager of Energy and Sustainability with B&D, she is serving as the Oakland Unified School District’s lead on energy efficiency and sustainability strategy and implementation. In this capacity, Sonia is playing a pivotal role in leading the district-wide energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and climate action programs.

She has extensive experience working with a variety of subject matter experts and industry stakeholders (utilities, architects, professional associations, building professionals, state and federal agencies, engineers, building science experts, private entities and corporations, and NGO’s). Most recently, she worked with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and she previously held leading roles with DNV GL, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U. S. Green Building Council. Sonia was an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fellow with the U. S. Department of Energy and during her tenure she led the commercial new construction and major retrofits portfolio for the Building Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She headed the research and development of industry-accepted national definitions, guidelines, and metrics for commercial Zero Energy Buildings, campuses, portfolios, and communities. Prior to joining DOE, Sonia was Director of LEED International Technical Development at USGBC. As the Director of LEED International Technical Development, Sonia led the international expansion of the LEED brand and spearheaded the technical development and early formation of USGBC’s LEED green building rating systems and programs. She is a published author and has publicly presented at many national and international conferences. She has served as a member of the U. S. General Services Administration (GSA) Green Building Advisory Committee.