All 2011 LEED Fellows

Biography

Dr. Kath Williams has a diverse background in sustainability—from construction projects to green education.

Drawing on her experiences as assistant to the vice president of research at Montana State University, her position as executive director of MSU’s Green Building project, and her service as vice chair of the U.S. Green Building Council for six years, Kath is involved in the development of outstanding green building projects around the world. She represented USGBC on the World Green Building Council as vice chair and president for three years and has supported the development of green building councils in India, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, UAE, and Brazil. She is currently supporting new councils in Guatemala and Nigeria.

In 1999, Kath founded Kath Williams + Associates in Bozeman, Montana. Her LEED projects include the first two LEED-Platinum buildings in India, Taiwan Semiconductor’s LEED-Gold fabrication plants, and U.S. Air Force projects at Offutt AFB. Two of her most recent projects to achieve LEED-Platinum designation are the Paharpur Business Centre in Delhi (LEED-O&M)and Blackfeet Community College's Math/Science Building, the first LEED-Platinum on tribal land.

Other recently completed/current projects include Old Faithful Visitor Education Center in Yellowstone Park (LEED-Gold), Nationwide Children's Hospital Central Utility Plant (LEED-Gold), University of Montana Native American Center (LEED-Platinum pending), Montana State Fund Building(LEED-Gold), Rocky Mountain National Laboratory (LEED-Gold pending,) Saddlehorn Marina (LEED-Gold), and ExplorationWorks! Children's Museum (LEED-certified). Work with Montana State University's Cooley Laboratory as well as two laboratory projects at Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, are underway.

Kath chaired the LEED-Application Guide for Labs committee for seven years, represented USGBC on the DOE/EPA Labs21 committee, and was founding/current executive vice chair of International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories.

Dr. Williams was honored to be named the first Fulbright Senior Specialist in Sustainability and to lead the team that produced the U.S. State Department’s (OBO) Green Guide for Operations and Maintenance for all embassies and consulates worldwide. An internationally recognized speaker and mentor, Kath also serves on the advisory board for Spectral Services in Delhi, India.

Kath is a graduate of Montana State University (doctorate), The Ohio State University (Masters), Ohio University (bachelors degree). She has completed post graduate work at Stanford University and works with the Stanford Program on Regions of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SPRIE) at the Hoover Institute.

Kath is a faculty member with Boston Architectural College, teaching online courses in global sustainability. She is also proud to be a faculty member for the Living Building Challenge.

With her husband of 38 years, Dale Williams, Kath raised their two sons, Sean and Jonathan, in Bozeman, Montana.

Work