Driven by his belief in a brighter future, the Global Network for Zero Co-Founder, President, and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam convenes a coalition of leaders dedicated to progressing society toward greater ESG compliance and ultimately a zero greenhouse gas economy. An investor, convener and unifier with decades of experience leading global technology platforms, Ramanujam focuses on integration and interoperability for optimal results in the sustainability sector.
Experienced in both nonprofit and for profit sectors, Mahesh helps businesses, communities, cities, buildings and infrastructure to realize their ESG and net zero commitments.
As President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the global technology platform, Arc. Mahesh led the movement for transforming green building standards to ensure public health, equity and environmental sustainability in communities across the world. At USGBC, along with Network co-founders Sarah Merricks and Scot Horst, Mahesh set the gold standard for global green building certification and credentialing. In an effort to place greater awareness and adoption of human health and wellness performance markers, he future proofed the internationally recognized LEED rating system with a more rigorous and ambitious certification process, one that included the overdue and necessary decarbonization requirements for a net zero reality. Prior to his tenure as President and CEO, Mahesh served as the COO and CIO of USGBC, during which he ushered in a new era of groundbreaking programs.
A respected thought leader, Mahesh regularly delivers keynotes at large events like Greenbuild, where he has secured and interviewed high-profile guests like former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Amal Clooney, Dan Levy and renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. Mahesh’s writing has been featured in international media outlets and publications, and includes opinion pieces on climate change, ESG and investment, technology and policy.
His USGBC work was preceded by leadership positions at IBM and Lenovo, where he led several business transformations programs. A graduate from India’s Annamalai University with a degree in Computer Engineering, Mahesh always leads with an emphasis on inclusion and bridging divides.