Julie Jacobson
About Julie Jacobson
Julie Jacobson serves as the Executive Director at Verdani Institute for the Built Environment and holds the position of Senior ESG Manager at CommonWealth Partners. With over 18 years of experience in real estate and a strong focus on sustainable practices, she has worked in various roles across multiple organizations, contributing to the development of educational resources and guidance reports on ESG frameworks.
Current Role at Verdani Institute for the Built Environment
Julie Jacobson serves as the Executive Director at Verdani Institute for the Built Environment (VIBE), a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on advancing sustainability initiatives within the built environment. Her responsibilities include developing educational resources aimed at promoting sustainable practices and managing projects related to sustainable real estate and ESG reporting. Jacobson's leadership at VIBE emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into building practices.
Previous Experience at Sustainable Works
Prior to her current role, Jacobson worked as an Account Executive at Sustainable Works in Santa Monica, California, for 11 months in 2016. In this position, she contributed to sustainability efforts by engaging with clients and promoting sustainable practices. Her experience at Sustainable Works provided her with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sustainability sector.
Education and Expertise
Julie Jacobson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an urban studies minor from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied from 1992 to 1994. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from USC Marshall School of Business, studying real estate from 1999 to 2001. Additionally, she holds the EcoDistricts Accredited Professional (AP) credential, which signifies her expertise in sustainable urban development. Her educational background supports her specialization in commercial renewable energy within the green building sector.
Professional Background in Real Estate
Jacobson has over 18 years of experience in various aspects of real estate, including brokerage, leasing, investment sales, asset management, and acquisitions/dispositions. She has worked with a diverse range of product types, including office, retail, shopping centers, and multifamily properties. Her extensive background in real estate has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of sustainable real estate development.
Contributions to ESG Frameworks
In her previous role as Senior ESG Manager at Verdani Partners, Jacobson was involved in project management for guidance reports and contributed to the development of guidance reports on ESG frameworks and global decarbonization. Her work in this area reflects her commitment to advancing sustainability practices and addressing climate change through informed real estate strategies.