First Woman in Quebec awarded most prestigious title in sustainable construction

At the recognition gala of the Greenbuild International Conference in Los Angeles, Josée Lupien – LEED AP BD+C & ID+C – was awarded the status of LEED Fellow. This title is the most prestigious distinction in the sustainable building industry.

The first woman in the construction industry from the Province of Quebec to become LEED Fellow and part of the professional green building industry for over 12 years, Josée’s journey has been an exceptional one. Among her qualities that stand out, this honour recognizes her technical proficiency, leadership, commitment and dedication to the advancement of the sustainable construction industry in Quebec as well as abroad. A founding member of the Quebec chapter of the Canadian Green Building Council, her leadership has been recognized on more than one occasion.

“Josée Lupien has been a pioneer in educating the industry on sustainable building principles, and her tireless efforts have greatly advanced the green building industry and LEED in Quebec,” said Thomas Muller, president and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council.

A career path built on commitment
Ever since her humble beginnings as a paint specification manager, Josée has been a strong advocate for an ecological approach and healthy living environments through sustainable construction. She channelled these preoccupations into reducing the effects of the built environment on health and the improvement of workplace quality of life. Thanks to her efforts and those of other devoted professionals, Quebec has made a place for itself in Canada’s sustainable construction industry.

A model for women in business
A leader in her domain, Ms. Lupien foresaw the evolution of the market to launch her own company, Vertima, which manages third-party validation and certification of ecological materials for manufacturers. Now backed by a team with solid expertise in the environmental analysis of products, Josée helps green buildings become a reality for manufacturers and builders alike.  Today, the company is widely recognized for its leading-edge expertise in green building and LEED certification.

An inspiration for women as well as for younger generations
For many years, Josée has been a tireless promoter of sustainability in giving numerous lectures and conferences to students, professionals, general contractors, government and private organizations across Quebec. Driven by her passion, she continues to innovate and advance the industry while promoting awareness.

“It is rewarding to have all these years of effort recognized with this title, but it is by moving forward and inspiring women and the young generation that it will be really useful,” said Josée Lupien.