Global design firm HKS announced that Brendan Owens, PE, LEED Fellow, an accomplished leader at the intersection of policy, systems thinking and sustainable design, has joined the firm as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). Owens succeeds Rand Ekman, FAIA, LEED Fellow, who transitions to the honorary role of CSO, Emeritus after nearly a decade of transformative leadership in embedding sustainability across the firm’s culture, operations and projects. Based in Washington, Owens brings extensive expertise from roles as Chief of Engineering at the U.S. Green Building Council, where he was instrumental in shaping the LEED rating system, and as Chief Sustainability Officer at the U.S. Department of Defense, where he integrated climate and resilience strategies across one of the world’s largest real estate portfolios. Owens said he was drawn to HKS’ global platform, multidisciplinary teams and commitment to moving the industry beyond “less harm” toward regenerative outcomes.
HKS Taps Brendan Owens for Top Sustainability Role
