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December 11, 2025

Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony​

Reflecting On Our 20 Year Legacy & Charting Our Future Expansion

We were thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone – 20 remarkable years in our community!

Two decades ago, we embarked on this mission with a vision and a dream. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, dedicated team members, and loyal partners, we’ve achieved so much more than we could have imagined. Our community stakeholders, members, sponsors, and friends joined us for a special event to mark this momentous occasion at our Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony.

We planned an evening filled with fun, gratitude, and celebration. The event took place on December 5, 2024 at the HighFive in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While attendees enjoyed dinner, adult beverages, and networking, we walked through the years, honoring those who have made substantial contributions. The night featured a keynote address by Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU, and the 2024 Leadership Awards Ceremony.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey. Your trust and support have been the cornerstone of our work in the community. As we celebrate this special occasion, we look forward to many more years of innovation, growth, and collaboration.

Here’s to the next chapter and to continuing to serve you with excellence!

Our 2024 Keynote Speaker

Sandra Lupien

Director, MassTimber@MSU, Michigan State University

Sandra Lupien leads MassTimber@MSU, advancing sustainable mass timber construction and manufacture in Michigan, the Great Lakes Region, and beyond. Through this program, based at Michigan State University, Sandra collaborates with interdisciplinary faculty members, industry partners, policymakers, NGOS, tradespersons, and others on a diverse array of programs and initiatives that are resulting in significant mass timber momentum. Sandra hosts and co-produces with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Mass Timber Update, an annual convening of mass timber stakeholders from a variety of sectors across the state. She is a frequent mass timber speaker at conferences and in media coverage across the U.S. and internationally. Sandra became obsessed with mass timber while pursuing a mid-career Master of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley, where she produced her capstone, titled, Removing Barriers to Cross-Laminated Timber Manufacture and Adoption in California: A Game-Changer for Wildfire, Forests, and Climate Change. Immediately before joining MSU, Sandra served as a Deputy Director in the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, after serving in policy, communication, and engagement leadership roles in the non-profit and public sectors for nearly two decades.

Sarah Lupien Headshot
A large banquet hall is filled with people seated at round tables, watching a speaker on a stage. Two screens display the words Thank You. The room is decorated with string lights and chandeliers, creating a warm ambiance.

Congratulations 2024 Leadership Awardees

The Michigan Green Building Collaborative (MiGBC) Leadership Awards promote outstanding green building initiatives by recognizing projects, organizations, and people who have made extraordinary contributions to achieving healthy, energy-efficient green buildings in the state of Michigan. Winners were honored at our Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony on December 5, 2024.

2024 Leadership Awardees:

Innovative Project Award Winner – Dunbar Hall Renovation Project, Western Michigan University

Innovative Project, 2nd Place – Reducing Pathogens in Animal Shelter Air Project, Kent County Animal Shelter

Innovative Project, 3rd Place – UM Health – Sparrow Okemos Emergency Center Project, Progressive Companies

Certified Green Building Award Low-Rise Multifamily – 400 Rose Phase II, AVB Inc. & The Hinman Company

Certified Green Building Award Mid-Rise Multifamily – Ruth Park, Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.

Certified Green Community Award – Oakland County Pontiac, Michigan

2030 Leadership Award – Kelsey Groesbeck

Legacy Award – Renae Hesselink

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join our movement today and contribute to a more sustainable, resilient Michigan.

Our sponsors receive great perks, like marketing shoutouts, recognition in our newsletter, and tickets to our Annual Party and Leadership Awards Ceremony. MiGBC members get access to educational materials and  resources, event discounts, and networking opportunities with leaders in the industry.