The nonprofit celebrates by honoring the individuals and organizations who helped shape the industry’s journey from materials library label to industry convener.
mindful MATERIALS, a collaborative nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainability within the building and design industries, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024 and marked the occasion with a special event at Greenbuild International Conference and Expo honoring key individuals and organizations who have contributed to the organization's growth, vision, and mission.
“These honorees have shaped the landscape of mindful MATERIALS, making invaluable contributions to the industry’s journey toward sustainable building solutions,” says Annie Bevan, mindful MATERIALS CEO.
In its first 10 years, mindful MATERIALS has evolved from a label for healthy or sustainable materials to a global nonprofit. This transformation marks a significant milestone for the organization and the building industry’s collective journey toward sustainability.
“Our work now, to establish a common language and clear market signal demanding connected, accurate data be made available where project decisions are made builds on that history while helping us achieve our goal of a true “Materials Eas(ier) Button,” says Laurel (Christensen) Chądzyński, mindful MATERIALS’ VP of Engagement.
The following individuals and organizations were honored at mindful MATERIALS 10the Anniversary Happy Hour Wednesday, Nov. 13:
Mindful MATERIALS' first paid staff member, Jennifer Atlee was instrumental in shaping the organization’s foundational governance and structure, originally crafted as an L3C business model. Alongside Linda Sorrento, Jennifer established the core framework that would later support mM’s transition to a nonprofit, guided by CEO Annie Bevan. Their work laid the essential groundwork for mindful MATERIALS’ growth and success as a leading organization in sustainable building practices.
Rebecca Best played a pivotal role in building the mindful MATERIALS brand, transforming it into a recognized and trusted name within the building and design communities. Her efforts firmly established mM’s significance in the industry, amplifying its mission and influence across the sector.
Linda Sorrento, a foundational pillar of the mindful MATERIALS community, has had an immeasurable impact on the organization. Linda has been instrumental in mM's growth and success from shaping essential business structures to leading as COO. Even after her official retirement, she remains a guiding force in governance, continuing as the backbone of the organization’s operations and championing its mission with unwavering dedication.
Jeff Frost stands as one of the visionary architects behind mindful MATERIALS’ interconnected data ecosystem. His creation of the Common Materials Framework (CMF) has been instrumental in advancing mM’s mission, establishing a foundational structure for streamlined and sustainable materials data that propels the industry forward.
Alex Muller has infused the mindful MATERIALS community with creativity and joy, introducing whimsical elements like “the cricket” and playful illustrations that have become iconic to mM’s identity. Beyond these contributions, Alex crafted mM’s first nonprofit strategic plan, blending vision with a collaborative, lighthearted spirit that has brought a sense of fun and unity to the organization’s mission-driven work.
Tim Conway
Tim Conway, mM’s most passionate advocate, has championed the cause of sustainable materials nationwide. Through his educational outreach, Tim has inspired countless professionals to join the movement, demonstrating the profound impact of mM’s mission on communities nationwide.
A decade ago, HKS, Inc., a global design firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas, gifted mindful MATERIALS to the industry, envisioning a simplified approach to identifying sustainable products. Originally developed as an internal labeling system to make transparency and optimization information readily accessible to designers, the initiative quickly attracted interest across the larger design industry due to its ease of use. In response, HKS made mindful MATERIALS resources publicly available to other design professionals and manufacturers, sparking a movement that continues today. We also honor Nancy Hulsey, the original creator of mM at HKS, whose vision laid the foundation for this transformative initiative.
“Each of these honorees has left an indelible mark on mindful MATERIALS, steering the industry toward sustainable and responsible practices,” says Chądzyński. “Their contributions exemplify the heart of mM’s mission—to bring transparency, knowledge, and actionable change to the world of sustainable building materials. Join us in celebrating these leaders and their dedication to a better, greener future.”
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