Ramya Shivkumar
Sustainability Leader | Strategist | Expert in Environmental Programs
About Me
Sustainability Expert with over two decades of experience in sustainable development and consulting, excelling in building performance and community engagement. Demonstrates a profound ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams, fostering collaboration to achieve impactful sustainability outcomes and enhance ESG strategies. Adept at aligning projects with climate goals and spearheading innovative green building initiatives, committed to advancing zero-carbon commitments and sustainable engineering practices.
Global Sustainability Leadership
Led zero-carbon emissions action plan developmentCross-Company Leadership
Led sustainability services for sister companies.LEED Excellence
Improved LEED review quality scores from 3.1 to 4.7.Master's Degree
Master of Design Science (Building Science) and Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Design from University of Sydney.Industry Speaker
Regular speaker at National Energy Code Conference and corporate sustainability workshops.Strategic Project Management
Managed 30M+ sq. ft. of sustainability projects with 40% energy savings.Community Impact
Organized youth sustainability programs reaching 300+ attendees. Visit youthsustainability.orgProfessional Recognition
Awarded NSW Chapter Medal and completed MIT CSO program.Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of Architecture from Sir J.J College of Architecture.Professional Affiliations
Active member of ASHRAE, IBPSA, USGBC, and BuildingGreen.Decarbonization Planning
Led community-wide sustainability initiatives.Organizational Development
Established corporate sustainability KPIs and ESG strategies.MIT Executive Education
Completed Chief Sustainability Officer program.Professional Certifications
Certified Energy Manager (CEM), WELL AP, and LEED AP BD+C.Skills
ESG Reporting Frameworks
(SASB, TCFD, GRI)
Decarbonization & Electrification
Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy.
Renewable Energy Integration
Solar, wind, and alternative energy solutions.
Net Zero Strategies
Reducing carbon footprints to net zero.
Corporate Sustainability Metrics
KPIs for ESG compliance and performance tracking.
Building Performance Optimization
Maximizing energy efficiency and occupant health.
Energy Efficiency & Carbon Emissions Analysis
Identifying emissions hotspots and reduction levers.
Energy Modeling & Simulation
Using software tools to optimize designs.
Certifications
(LEED, WELL, etc.)
Circular Economy Strategies
Minimizing waste through resource reuse.
Compliance & Regulatory Standards
Staying ahead of evolving environmental policies.
Climate Action Plans
Developing city and corporate-scale climate strategies.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
Guiding sustainability adoption across organizations.
Grassroots Advocacy & Community Engagement
Mobilizing community participation for change.
Environmental Education
Workshops and training for all age groups.
Project Management & Implementation
Driving projects from concept to completion.
Creating Sustainability Culture
Embedding green practices organization-wide.
Mentorship & Leadership Development
Guiding the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Key Achievements
Global Sustainability Leadership
Led Integral Consulting Engineers in developing a zero-carbon emissions action plan , aligning with the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Operations pledge. Collaborated with clients like Emory and Georgia Tech to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions and move toward zero-carbon campus operations.
Strategic Project Management
Managed sustainability analyses for over 30 million sq. ft. of projects, including ASHRAE Headquarters and Amherst College Student Center. Implemented energy-saving measures, such as thermal comfort optimization and HVAC efficiency, reducing energy use by up to 40%.
Decarbonization & Electrification Planning
Partnered with public, private, and tribal entities to implement decarbonization and electrification strategies, transitioning building systems to renewable energy sources like photovoltaics and efficient HVAC.
Leadership in Sustainability for Sister Companies
Led sustainability teams at Windward Engineers and Nelson Worldwide, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration on projects, integrating engineering and architectural solutions, and aligning with AIA 2030 and MEP 2040 goals.
Community Engagement & Program Development
As Green Cell Board Director, organized a youth sustainability conference, led programs eliminating 200,000+ single-use plastics, and initiated community recycling projects diverting tons of waste from landfills. Envisioned and implemented a youth sustainability conference that gathered 300 attendees, including middle and high school students, universities, nonprofits, corporations, and businesses.
Organizational Development & Capacity Building
Established corporate sustainability KPIs and ESG strategies at Windward Engineers and Nelson Worldwide, enhancing the companies' leadership in sustainable architecture and engineering.
LEED Certification Quality Enhancement
Improved LEED review processes at DNV GL, increasing performance scores and securing a $1 million contract renewal with GBCI.
Recognition in Architectural Excellence
Awarded the New South Wales Chapter Medal and the Architectural Science Prize from the University of Sydney for excellence in sustainability.
Leadership Program at MIT
Completed MIT’s program for Chief Sustainability Officers, specializing in circular economy principles, life-cycle assessments, and sustainable infrastructure planning.
Speaking Engagements
Corporate Sustainability Workshops
Symphony Bank, General Motors, Accenture, Ecolab
Workshop
