The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), developer of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, has announced that David Purcell has joined the organisation as chief marketing officer.
In this role, Purcell will lead marketing and communications for the organisation.
The appointment marks a significant investment in USGBC’s strategy to transform how buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated in ways that save energy, reduce waste, and improve occupant health.
Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), pointed to the importance of building out a strong marketing function as the organisation pursues its mission and growth goals.
“David will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of our ideas and innovations, accelerating adoption of our products and services, strengthening our brand, and positioning us for continued growth and global impact,” said Templeton.
Purcell will be based at USGBC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. He brings more than 30 years of executive marketing leadership from several globally recognised organisations, including UnitedHealth Group, Visa, Charles Schwab, BlackRock, and American Express.
Over the course of his career, he has built and led global marketing organisations, driven digital transformation initiatives, and developed growth strategies spanning both business-to-business and consumer markets.
Most recently, Purcell served as a senior marketing advisor to growth-stage and enterprise organisations in the healthcare, financial services, and technology sectors.
In that capacity, he focused on AI-enabled marketing strategy, brand positioning, and performance marketing.
For Purcell, the move to USGBC connects to where his career in marketing began.
“Joining USGBC is something of a full-circle moment for me,” Purcell said, noting that he got his start working alongside the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program before spending years helping some of the world’s most recognised brands turn strong missions into strong growth.
Purcell holds an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
He joins the USGBC senior leadership team at a pivotal moment for the organisation. USGBC is working to rapidly scale adoption of LEED v5, the latest version of the world’s most widely used green building rating system, as well as TRUE zero waste.
The organisation is also preparing to convene the green building community at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, set for October 20 through 23 in New York City.
Greenbuild is considered the premier event for green building professionals, bringing together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and visionaries committed to creating stronger, more resilient buildings and communities.
Purcell’s arrival positions USGBC to expand its brand presence and market reach as it heads into this milestone gathering and continues its broader push toward global adoption of sustainable building practices.
With Purcell now leading marketing and communications, USGBC aims to strengthen how it tells its story to architects, developers, policymakers, and the public, while accelerating the reach of LEED and its related certification programs worldwide.