Kelsey Groesbeck announced as 2030 Leadership Awardee
The U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan (USGBC-WM) announces Kelsey Groesbeck as this year’s 2030 Leadership Award Winner. The 2030 Leadership Award recognizes organizations and individuals that have taken the initiative to decarbonize Grand Rapids and make strides toward global climate goals.
Kelsey, a passionate advocate for sustainable design and high-performance buildings, has dedicated her career to improving building performance and reducing carbon emissions. Her journey in the field of mechanical engineering began at Western Michigan University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. It was during her time at WMU that she became involved in sustainability, working at the university’s Office for Sustainability. There, she focused on collaborative sustainable design and became deeply engaged with the Living Building Challenge.
During that time, she also started working at TowerPinkster as an intern. Over the past 10 years, she has worked as a Mechanical Designer and Professional Engineer and is now Director of Building Science. Her focus is to improve building performance from concept to occupancy across all building disciplines. She currently serves as a Shareholder and the Sustainability Committee Chair at TowerPinkster.
Beyond her career, Kelsey has deepened her knowledge and offers her expertise in a few different ways. Her credentials include Professional Engineer, Living Futures Accredited, LEED AP BD+C, and AP ID+C. Since Fall 2022, she has been an adjunct professor at WMU teaching a course on sustainable living. She is a member of ASHRAE West Michigan, the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, the Grand Rapids 2030 District Professional Partner Group (PPG), and the City of Grand Rapids Commercial Climate Advisory Team (C-CAT).
Kelsey joined the GR2030 District PPG in November 2022. As part of the PPG, she helped to write a new local guidebook to help businesses save energy and reduce carbon emissions. The guide, titled “Achieving Energy and Carbon Goals,” was shared with the community this year and aims to demystify big topics such as energy efficiency and decarbonization. Additionally, Kelsey spoke on a panel at the 2024 Michigan Energy Summit. She highlighted the importance of building site & orientation planning and the “efficiency first” approach.
When asked how her values as a professional relate to her work with the Grand Rapids 2030 District, Kelsey stated,
“The values I try to live and work by are simplicity, purpose, and connection. I have enjoyed being a part of GR2030 because we all agree on a clear goal: to reduce carbon emissions in the Grand Rapids built environment. What I’ve learned is that sustainability is not always flashy. It takes a combination of bold moves coupled with small, incremental steps all moving in the same direction. I believe we are putting this concept into action.”
TowerPinkster launched the Building Science department this year which Kelsey plans to continue growing both within their organization and in the community. The team focuses on sustainable design, commissioning, certifications, energy incentives, and planning. Key areas to look for from Building Science next year are values-led material selection, sustainability graphics, embodied carbon analysis, and optimizing the building envelope.
Recent and local projects that Kelsey has worked on to incorporate sustainable design and help reduce carbon emissions in our communities include the following:
- WMU Dunbar Hall Renovation (LEED Gold), received Innovative Project Award
- John Ball Zoo Water Conservation (Living Building Challenge)
- Mackinac Island Milliken Nature Center at Arch Rock (Greywater reuse, fully electric, solar ready)
- John Ball Zoo African Expansion (SITES, building certification TBD)
- Grand Rapids Public Museum Renovation (sustainable materials, rainwater collection)
- Kalamazoo Event Center (passive design, efficiency, etc.)
- MoTown Assisted Living Facility (Enterprise Green Communities Plus, fully electric, solar ready)
Looking forward at her involvement in the Grand Rapids 2030 District, Kelsey is excited to help with the automated benchmarking initiative and how we can make it easier for businesses to harness and then act on their energy data. The real change happens in the details and through accountability. Kelsey also plans to continue collaborating across disciplines and firms to help make local projects have more sustainable outcomes.
What Kelsey loves about working in West Michigan is that “no matter where you work, what industry you are in or your background, there is always a place for you at the sustainability table.” Kelsey finds joy and inspiration with the people of this community and she hopes to continue advancing sustainability here.
In 2023, Kelsey was given the Zweig Group Award for Rising Stars in the AEC industry.
Kelsey was awarded at our 2024 Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony on December 5, 2024. Hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan, the evening event was held at the High Five in downtown Grand Rapids. The program included a keynote address by Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU, the Leadership Awards Ceremony, and the celebration of this year’s achievements.
To learn more about the event and to read our 2024 Annual Report visit our Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony Page.