Pepper Construction Group recently promoted Susan Heinking, FAIA, LEED Fellow, to Chief Sustainability Officer. In this new role, Heinking will lead the company’s vision for advancing sustainable practices across all markets and regions, helping clients realize healthier, more resilient buildings and communities.
Heinking joined Pepper in 2015 and has been a driving force behind the company’s high performance and sustainability initiatives. She and her team have played a key role in delivering some of the nation’s most progressive projects including the world’s first LEED v4 data center and Pepper’s own Net Zero Energy Office in Cincinnati. Her leadership has helped shape Pepper’s approach to integrating sustainability into every phase of construction from early planning to project delivery and beyond.
“Susan’s passion for sustainability and her ability to connect technical expertise with real-world impact have made her a trusted advisor to our clients and teammates,” said Chris Averill, CEO of Pepper Construction Group, in a statement. “Her vision and collaborative spirit are essential as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the built world.”
A nationally recognized thought leader, Heinking brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainable design and construction to the role. She has served on the USGBC’s LEED Steering Committee and the AIA’s Committee on the Environment. Additionally, she has initiated and participated in influential projects and groups, such as Chicago’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance, the AIA2030 Chicago Working Group, Chicago’s AIA COTE, RETROFIT Chicago, the Chicago Biomimicry Group, the Illinois Green Alliance Board of Directors and the Associated General Contractors of America Environmental Steering Committee. Currently, she serves on the Illinois Energy Conservation Advisory Council. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon.