Kirsten Ritchie
About Kirsten Ritchie
Kirsten Ritchie serves as Principal and Global Director of Climate Action and Sustainability at Gensler, where she has worked since 2022. With a background in civil engineering and extensive experience in green building assessment, she is a recognized leader in sustainability initiatives.
Work at Gensler
Kirsten Ritchie has been with Gensler since 2006, currently holding the position of Principal and Global Director of Climate Action and Sustainability. In this role, she leads sustainability initiatives and serves as a Cities Sector Leader. Ritchie is recognized as one of Gensler's leading sustainability ambassadors, focusing on championing sustainable practices within the firm. Her leadership in the Climate Action and Sustainability practice positions her as a global leader in advancing Gensler's commitment to environmentally responsible design.
Education and Expertise
Kirsten Ritchie earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied from 1977 to 1982. She furthered her education with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University, completing her studies from 1987 to 1989. Ritchie specializes in green building assessment and the development of standards for environmentally preferable products, demonstrating her expertise in sustainable design and engineering.
Professional Experience
Before joining Gensler, Kirsten Ritchie worked at Scientific Certification Systems as the Director of Environmental Claims from 2001 to 2006. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing environmental claims and ensuring compliance with sustainability standards. Her extensive experience in the field of sustainability spans over two decades, contributing to her current leadership role at Gensler.
Achievements and Initiatives
Kirsten Ritchie co-founded MaterialsCAN, an initiative aimed at advancing the use of sustainable materials in construction. She holds several professional certifications, including PE (Professional Engineer), LEED AP O+M (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional in Operations and Maintenance), and Envision SP (Sustainability Professional). These certifications reflect her commitment to sustainability and her expertise in the field.