HELPING HANDS FOR A SUSTAINABLE HAITI

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

We have seen amazing results through collaboration and hard work. Now is not the time to turn our back.

Lisa McFadin, President and Founder

Helping Hands for a Sustainable Haiti was founded in March 2010 by Lisa McFadin, immediately after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Her experience in sustainable construction and architecture led her to visit the country to lend her hand with the rebuilding efforts. At the same time, Ms. McFadin continued operating her sustainability business, Green Venues. She has since implemented green building training programs in Haiti to support the community job training that is so urgently needed now in Haiti. The training programs will commence full time in January 2011. The emphasis will be on new job creation, recycling and women in construction empowerment series.

Before founding Green Venues in August 2008, Ms. McFadin worked as a Senior Project Manager with CB Richard Ellis in San Jose, California where she was responsible for managing the construction for Cisco’s $48 Million Dollar ‘LifeConnections’ Child Care and Fitness Center on their campus, as well as overseeing the LEED Certification and Sustainable Business Model, making this building Cisco’s first GOLD Certified accomplishment. ‘LifeConnections’, the first of its kind for Cisco, is an integrated health center, childcare and fitness center.

Ms. McFadin has been active in environmental design and construction for more than 20 years. Her experience includes working on a wide range of commercial and residential projects in all aspects of project management including contractor bid development and selection, contract negotiations, resource management, value engineering and project closeout and commissioning. Her expertise includes sustainable design, energy management, and LEED prototype design.

Ms. McFadin has actively participated in the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) recently formed LEED for Retail Pilot Program, which includes a select group of retailers and their architects who are presently crafting the LEED standards for Retail Construction. She led the team in involving Sprint’s participation in the USGBC’s portfolio program, by designing and building Sprint’s first Certified Retail Store in San Francisco, CA.

Prior to Ms. McFadin joining CBRE, her work includes designing and managing construction for what was then the largest Penthouse in NYC and managing the renovation for the Russian Tea Room in 1995 for the late Warner LeRoy.

Click here for more information on www.helpinghands4sustainablehaiti.org