Kimberly Pexton is an innovative executive level leader that possesses the business skills needed to inform the development of operational programs that yield high performance results. Kimberly is a LEED Fellow and the Director of Paladino and Company.  She leverages her experience in developing solutions that meet the challenges of corporate sustainability and social responsibility, environmental management programs, and supply chain transparency.

Kimberly Pexton - Exposed to Sustainability

Kimberly grew up in Willoughby, Ohio close to Cleveland.  Kimberly went to Ohio State University and earned a degree in Journalism. Additionally, Kimberly pursued a graduate degree in Architecture. During her coursework she was exposed to structural engineering and structural design. This sparked her early interest in sustainability.

Mentors

Kimberly recognizes Sandy Mendler was the head of the sustainability practice at HOK in Washington, D.C. and ended up being one of Kimberly’s critics and an influential mentor. Sandy provided support and encouragement to incorporate sustainable design in every project.  

"[Sandy was] definitely one of those people I looked up to." – Kimberly Pexton

Developing Green Programs

Kimberly was managing construction projects and presented a business plan on sustainability and was hired into a new position on that focus. Kim grew the company’s number of successful LEED projects and eventually moved to another company as a GC to do the same. She built their book of business and got into integrating environmental compliance in the safety department.

"I have enough self-motivation to be able to develop programs that address green building needs, specifically on the construction side and be to implement them in a way that was integrated into the process and not bandaid it in." – Kimberly Pexton

A Few Current Projects

Kimberly is currently running the practice for Paladino practice in Washington, D.C. Her role is to make sure that Paladino is making good on their promise of creating value through a sustainability lens. Kim is currently working on a Hotel and Convention Center in Columbia, South America, with LEED aspirations for Platinum. She is also working on reimagining a fortune brand in NYC and collecting sonar data in various places across the world for the department of state to dictate where they are installing wind turbines.

"I think what kind of gets me on a day-to-day basis, especially clients who develop and hold property, it’s great to take the sustainability aspect past what they are doing in the real estate space and actually link it to stakeholders." – Kimberly Pexton

Pro Tips

Kimberly discovered yoga years ago and cannot live a day without it. It helps her re-center.  She reads like crazy and encourages everyone to do the same.

“I think it is a routine of curiousness and helps you to continue to be creative.”– Kimberly Pexton

Book Suggestions:

It’s All For a Sale by James Ridgeway

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

Advice

Have self-awareness.  Self-awareness is the key to growth.  Continue to be curious and learn your craft.

To hear more about Kimberly’s journey, download and listen to the episode!

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