Developed in partnership with FGM Architects, the new 80,900-square-foot civic center serves as a modern municipal hub for the Village of Downers Grove, the Downers Grove Police Department and Downers Grove School District 58. Located adjacent to the BNSF Metra rail line within an active downtown campus, the project required extensive coordination and phased construction planning to maintain uninterrupted municipal and public safety operations throughout construction.

The two-story facility was designed to strengthen community connection and government transparency while creating a highly functional and sustainable civic destination. The project includes council chambers, training rooms, public gathering spaces, an accessible roof garden, shared fitness amenities, a public plaza, and advanced police department facilities, including a firing range, sally port, evidence lab, and detention areas. Sustainable features such as photovoltaic panels, permeable paving systems, and high-performance building materials contribute to significant operational and environmental efficiencies.

“The Downers Grove Civic Center is a reflection of what can be accomplished when strong partnerships, thoughtful planning and a shared commitment to the community come together,” said Leigh McMillen, executive vice president of operations at Leopardo. “This project required an extraordinary level of collaboration between our project teams, trade partners, the Village of Downers Grove and FGM Architects. We are honored to see that effort recognized by the Chicago Building Congress.”

The project has already received significant industry recognition, including a 2024 CISCO Project of the Year Award and a 2025 Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation Cornerstone Award.

“From the earliest stages of preconstruction through final completion, the team remained focused on delivering a civic facility that would serve the community for generations,” said Jeff Montanari, project executive at Leopardo. “Working on an active municipal campus next to a busy rail corridor presented unique challenges, but through proactive communication, detailed coordination and trusted partnerships, we delivered a project the entire community can be proud of.”

The recognition further reinforces Leopardo’s continued leadership in delivering complex municipal and community-focused projects throughout the region. Building on this momentum, Leopardo recently was selected as the Construction Manager for the new Elmhurst Police Station project, continuing the firm’s long-standing commitment to helping communities modernize critical public safety infrastructure through innovative, relationship-driven construction solutions.

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Pederson joined Leopardo in 2021 and is a senior member of the firm’s preconstruction and estimating team, focused primarily on projects within the company’s growing aviation market. His work includes conceptual estimating, budgeting, constructability review, scope coordination, and schedule planning for projects in active airport environments.

“Matt has earned the respect of clients, design partners, and trade contractors through his consistency and collaborative approach,” said Euisang Lee, Senior Vice President of Preconstruction. “ At Leopardo, preconstruction is about more than numbers. It requires communication, problem-solving, and the ability to help teams navigate complex decisions related to cost, schedule, and logistics. Matt does that extremely well.”

Preconstruction continues to play a critical role across Leopardo’s work nationally, particularly as projects become more complex and clients seek greater certainty earlier in the planning process. Leopardo’s preconstruction services support owners during the earliest phases of development through budgeting, cost modeling, constructability review, procurement planning, scheduling, and risk evaluation. More than 85% of Leopardo projects receive preconstruction support prior to construction kickoff.

That early collaboration has become especially important within the aviation sector, where projects are often completed in active, occupied environments with evolving operational requirements, phased schedules and extensive stakeholder coordination. As Leopardo continues expanding its aviation portfolio nationally, the firm’s preconstruction team has played an increasingly important role in helping clients align project goals, minimize disruptions, and plan for long-term project success.

“Aviation projects involve constant coordination and changing variables, which makes early planning especially important,” said Ryan Haase, Vice President of Aviation. “Matt brings a thoughtful and steady approach to the process and has played an important role in supporting our clients and project teams in this market. This award is well-deserved.”

Pederson’s recognition reflects Leopardo’s continued investment in preconstruction and estimating, as well as a culture rooted in long-term relationships and collaboration. While technology continues to advance the tools used throughout the construction process, Leopardo remains focused on pairing those tools with experienced professionals who can help clients navigate challenges and make informed decisions early in a project’s lifecycle.

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IREJ’s annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievements across the commercial real estate industry, celebrating excellence in development, design, and construction. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 4, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois.

Leopardo’s 2026 finalists span multiple sectors, highlighting the firm’s versatility and expertise across markets:

Affordable Housing

• Encuentro Square

Medical Property

• CCRM Fertility of Chicago

Multifamily / Senior

• Encuentro Square

Government / Community Facility

• Oswegoland Park District Operations Building
• Highland Park Senior Center

Industrial

• Valent BioSciences – Greenhouse Addition
• SMART Local 265

Retail – Chicago

• Trump Hotel Ballroom & Conference Center

In addition to project recognitions, Leopardo is also a finalist for General Contractor of the Year – Commercial, underscoring the firm’s continued growth and impact across sectors.

Leopardo’s nominated projects demonstrate the firm’s ability to deliver across a wide range of project types—from community-centered developments and healthcare facilities to highly technical industrial campus expansions and high-end hospitality spaces. Each project reflects Leopardo’s commitment to problem-solving, collaboration, and delivering long-term value for clients and communities.

“Our work is grounded in relationships—understanding our clients’ goals and bringing the right team and expertise to execute them successfully,” said Jessica Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Growth at Leopardo. “These nominations are a testament to the trust our partners place in us and the dedication of our people who bring these projects to life.”

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The CBC Merit Awards program, now in its 70th year, recognizes outstanding construction projects across Chicagoland that demonstrate excellence in design, construction quality, safety, and community impact. 

Downers Grove Civic Center

Category: Commercial Construction Finalist

Located in the heart of downtown Downers Grove, this transformative civic project redefines how municipal services are delivered to the community. The approximately 80,000-square-foot, two-story facility consolidates Village Hall, the Police Department, and School District 58 into a single, modern civic hub. Constructed on a constrained site adjacent to an active Metra rail line, the project required complex phasing and coordination to maintain uninterrupted municipal operations—an effort that underscores Leopardo’s expertise in delivering high-performance projects in challenging environments.

Duly Health and Care Schaumburg Multi-Specialty Clinic

Category: Renovation & Adaptive Reuse (Over $20M) Finalist

Leopardo’s work on the Duly Health and Care Schaumburg Multi-Specialty Clinic reflects the evolving needs of outpatient healthcare delivery, providing a modern, patient-centered environment designed for efficiency, flexibility, and high-quality care. The project brings together multiple specialties under one roof, supporting coordinated care and enhancing the patient experience through thoughtfully designed clinical spaces, advanced infrastructure, and streamlined workflows. This recognition highlights Leopardo’s continued leadership in healthcare construction—particularly in delivering complex, fast-paced projects that meet the demands of today’s providers while improving access and outcomes for patients.

Being named finalists for the CBC Merit Awards reinforces Leopardo’s commitment to building projects that strengthen communities, advance innovation, and deliver lasting value. From civic infrastructure to healthcare environments, these projects exemplify the firm’s dedication to quality, collaboration, and construction excellence.

Leopardo extends its appreciation to the owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and trade partners whose expertise and commitment made these projects possible. Downers Grove Civic Center was designed by FGM Architects, and Duly Health and Care Schaumburg Multi-Specialty Clinic was designed by Eckenhoff Saunders.

Winners will be announced at the CBC Merit Awards gala later this year. Please extend a warm congratulations to our project teams on being named finalists!

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JLL’s 2025 Medical Outpatient Building Perspective stated that outpatient volumes in the U.S. will grow 10.6% over the next five years, driven by patient convenience, technological advancements and demographic shifts. 

Outpatient healthcare facilities come with unique construction challenges such as multiple stakeholders offering input, maintaining branding across several care locations, and the demand for an accelerated speed-to-market plan.  

“With a traditional hospital, there’s significant planning time and a long runway for completing a project,” Leopardo Project Executive Jorge Velasco said. “With outpatient facilities, stakeholders are expecting a faster return on investment. They want to see patients as soon as possible.” 

But building outpatient facilities isn’t just about speed. It’s also about strategy. 

Smaller Footprint, Bigger Expectations 

Outpatient facilities may be smaller than traditional hospitals, but they are no less complex. 

“These projects move faster, but the technical demands are just as rigorous,” Velasco said. “Owners expect hospital-level performance in a retail or community-based setting — and they expect it delivered quickly.” 

Unlike centralized hospitals built on large campuses, outpatient facilities are often located in high-traffic retail corridors, mixed-use developments or urban infill sites. That creates challenges such as infrastructure limitations, tight site logistics, compressed schedules, brand consistency across multiple locations and early equipment coordination. 

And the financial stakes are high. Health systems are making calculated investments to expand reach and increase market share. 

“Outpatient projects are growth strategies,” Velasco said. “Our role isn’t just to build them. It’s to help owners evaluate site feasibility, understand true cost drivers and protect long-term ROI.” 

Preconstruction As A Competitive Advantage 

Leopardo’s healthcare team is frequently engaged before a site is finalized, helping clients compare locations, analyze infrastructure constraints and model construction costs early in the process. 

That early involvement is where differentiation happens. 

“We front-load our preconstruction effort,” Project Executive Michael Rosso said. “We validate existing conditions, coordinate imaging equipment early and use advanced cost modeling tools to eliminate surprises. In outpatient healthcare, predictability is everything.” 

Many of Leopardo’s outpatient clients are repeat healthcare systems that require consistent design standards across multiple facilities. Maintaining brand continuity, operational efficiency and quality across distributed sites requires disciplined coordination — particularly when projects involve renovations of occupied facilities. 

“Occupied healthcare renovations require a high level of coordination and foresight,” Rosso said. “We understand phasing, infection control, equipment integration and, most importantly, how to keep facilities fully operational while modernizing them.” 

A Six-Figure Budget Reduction Through Early Engineering

At Silver Cross Orland Park Medical Pavilion in Orland Park, Illinois, Leopardo partnered early in the preconstruction phase to deliver a two-story multispecialty outpatient center featuring primary care, comprehensive imaging services, an 18-station infusion center, an endoscopy suite and after-hours care. The project required bringing in new utilities and coordinating the installation of advanced imaging equipment, including MRI, PET CT, mammography and nuclear camera systems. 

By leveraging digital modeling and advanced cost analytics during preconstruction, Leopardo identified design and systems adjustments that reduced overall project cost by six figures, without compromising clinical performance. 

“When you engage construction early, you’re not reacting to cost issues — you’re engineering solutions before they become problems,” Velasco said. 

Accelerating Delivery Without Sacrificing Precision 

For the 66K SF Northwest Community Healthcare Outpatient Care Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, Leopardo demolished an existing medical office building and constructed a new three-story modern facility featuring multiple imaging suites. 

Through early collaboration with ownership and local authorities, the team delivered the first floor eight weeks ahead of schedule, enabling earlier revenue generation for the health system. 

Leopardo’s Virtual Design and Construction team used advanced building  information modeling to coordinate complex MEP systems, integrate imaging equipment, minimize rework and reduce field conflicts. 

“In healthcare construction, precision drives schedule,” Rosso said. “The more you resolve digitally, the less you correct in the field.” 

The Future Of Healthcare Construction

Despite the surge in outpatient facilities, centralized hospitals are not disappearing — they’re evolving. 

“Centralized hospitals are becoming more specialized,” Rosso said. “They’re focusing on high-acuity care and advanced surgical environments, while decentralized outpatient facilities handle diagnostics, procedures and routine care closer to patients.” 

The result is a distributed healthcare ecosystem — one that requires builders who understand both the technical demands of acute care and the speed-to-market pressures of community-based facilities. 

For Leopardo, the future of healthcare construction is about rightsized facilities, strategic partnerships and proactive planning. Beyond a robust MOB portfolio, the firm is currently working with several hospital systems on extensive occupied renovation projects, most notably the vertical expansion of the Endeavor Health Cancer Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. 

“The future of healthcare isn’t defined by square footage; it’s defined by access, efficiency and adaptability,” Velasco said. “Our role is to help healthcare systems expand with confidence. That means resolving complexity early, delivering predictability in execution and building spaces that are ready for what’s next — not just what’s needed today.” 

This article was produced in collaboration between Leopardo Construction and Studio B. It originally appeared on Bisnow on March 25, 2026.

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“Paola brings a rare combination of market intelligence, authenticity, and relationship-building that aligns perfectly with how Leopardo approaches business development,” said Jessica Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Growth at Leopardo. “Her ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities strengthens our foundation and positions us well for the next chapter of growth.”

Prior to joining Leopardo, Sprenzel led strategic growth initiatives, building high-performing teams and implementing systems that supported scalable growth, expanded market presence, and deepened client engagement. In both global and regional leadership roles, she cultivated strong partnerships across architecture, design, and commercial real estate communities, identifying opportunities that drove meaningful project outcomes.

“Leopardo has experienced tremendous growth and is rapidly expanding its national footprint. It’s the perfect moment to join the team and help accelerate that momentum,” said Sprenzel. “I’m excited to be a true value add partner to our clients—bringing innovative solutions, collaborating with high performing teams, and leveraging technology to drive smarter cost outcomes.”

Beyond her professional work, Sprenzel is deeply committed to expanding opportunity across the industry and within her community. She actively supports organizations including the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), Federation of Women Contractors, and Professional Women in Construction, where she champions mentorship, inclusion, and the advancement of women in construction.

Sprenzel serves on the board of Female Strong, where she supports leadership development initiatives designed to build confidence and create pathways for young women, and played a key role in launching the organization’s first camp. She also serves on the board of the Special Leisure Services Foundation, helping expand access to inclusive recreational programming for individuals of all abilities—an effort that reflects her strong commitment to service and community impact.

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The company has steadily expanded its geographic footprint in recent years, including the opening of offices in Orlando and Cleveland. Together, these markets form a strategic corridor that enhances Leopardo’s ability to serve clients across the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast with consistency and scale. 

“Our growth has always been intentional and client-focused,” said Steve Smith, Executive Vice President of Leopardo. “Opening a Washington, D.C. office positions us to better serve partners who are D.C.-based but operating nationally. We believe in meeting clients where they are, and our presence here is about investing in relationships.” 

That relationship-driven philosophy continues to guide the firm’s expansion strategy. 

“Relationships are built locally,” said Jessica Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Growth at Leopardo Construction. “Washington, D.C. is a market defined by long-term partnership and connection. Establishing a presence here allows us to deepen those connections and ensure we can support clients with the responsiveness, collaboration, and trust they expect from Leopardo.” 

Leopardo’s national growth is backed by experience delivering complex projects across its expanding footprint. From transformative healthcare and life sciences facilities in Illinois, to multifamily and mixed-use developments in Ohio, to hospitality and senior living communities in Florida, the firm has consistently demonstrated its ability to scale expertise while maintaining local accountability. Many of Leopardo’s clients operate across multiple states, and the firm’s integrated preconstruction, estimating, and virtual building services teams collaborate seamlessly across offices to support them. 

While advanced technology platforms enable real-time coordination and collaboration across regions, Leopardo remains grounded in the belief that strong partnerships are built face-to-face. By combining national resources with a growing East Coast presence, the company continues to deliver projects where clients need them most — without losing the relationship-driven approach that has defined its success for five decades. 

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While women represent just 10–12% of the U.S. construction workforce, Leopardo Construction is outperforming the industry with 17% female representation across the organization, spanning technical, operational, corporate, and executive leadership roles.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up approximately 11% of the national construction workforce, with even lower representation in field and technical roles. Leopardo’s internal workforce data reflects a markedly different reality—one where women are embedded across nearly every aspect and level of the firm.

At Leopardo, women hold roles across: Accounting and Finance, Field Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Risk Management, Sustainability, Quality, Virtual Building Group as well as in each market sector the company serves (Aviation, Community, Tenant Interiors, Job Order Contracting, Hospitality, Healthcare, Residential, and Retail).

Tenure among women at Leopardo ranges from new professionals to nearly 40-year veterans, demonstrating both strong recruitment and long-term retention across generations of leadership.

“This didn’t happen by accident,” said Leigh McMillen, Executive Vice President of Operations at Leopardo. “Our culture is built around relationships, trust, and developing people. When you invest in your team and genuinely listen to them, you create an environment where talent thrives—regardless of title, background, or gender.”

Relationships Come First — Always

Leopardo’s brand has long centered on the idea that “the most important things we build are relationships.”  That philosophy extends beyond the walls of Leopardo’s offices and jobsite trailers—it also shapes how the firm builds and sustains client relationships.

“The same values that define our internal culture—trust, listening, and long-term partnership—are how we approach every client relationship,” said Jess Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Growth at Leopardo. “We’re not just focused on winning work. We’re focused on understanding our clients’ businesses, their unique challenges, and how we can be a true partner in helping them succeed long term.”

Investing in People, Developing Leaders

Leopardo’s female professionals are embedded across project delivery, preconstruction, estimating, quality, sustainability, technology, and executive leadership, influencing decisions on the jobsite and in the boardroom.

“Relationships are essential to getting things done,” said Holly Rudnick, Senior Vice President of People & Culture at Leopardo. “We strive to create an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and valued. By building close‑knit teams grounded in trust, listening, and collaboration, we’re fostering long‑term retention and leadership opportunities across the organization.”

One of Leopardo’s core brand attributes is a commitment to “invest in our people, developing them to be industry leaders.”

That commitment shows up through a robust development program that includes:

• Structured onboarding and role-based training
• Leadership development and internal promotion pathways
• Cross-functional mentorship and peer coaching
• Exposure to high-visibility, client-facing projects
• Active sponsorship from senior leadership

“Representation is important, but retention is the real measure of success,” Rudnick said. “We’re intentional about creating career paths and pairing emerging talent with mentors who are genuinely invested in their growth—not just as professionals, but as people.”

A Culture of Support

Leopardo’s progress is not driven by women alone—it is supported by a culture of shared ownership across the organization.

“One of the strongest aspects of Leopardo’s culture is the level of support colleagues and leaders provide one another,” Rudnick added. “Shared ownership isn’t just a catchphrase here—it’s how teams collaborate and show up for each other every day.”

McMillen echoed that sentiment, “We pride ourselves on being good teammates. Each individual in our organization plays a huge role in creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to lead, to speak up, and to take on complex challenges.”

This reflects Leopardo’s broader brand identity as a family company and trusted partner—one where sincerity, collaboration, and long-term relationships are foundational values.

Building the Future of the Industry

Beyond internal development, Leopardo invests in the future talent pipeline through partnerships with the ACE Mentor Program of America, CPS Skilled Trades Day, and local high school outreach, introducing young men and women to the wide range of careers available in construction.

“Early exposure changes how young people see the industry,” Rudnick said. “When they meet real professionals thriving across a multitude of construction roles, it expands what they believe is possible and helps them see themselves in careers they may never have considered.”

As Leopardo approaches its 50th year in business, the firm continues to prioritize people-first growth, recognizing that diversity of experience, perspective, and leadership is not just good for culture—but essential to solving complex problems and delivering better outcomes for clients.

“We thrive in complex environments,” McMillen added. “And the companies that will lead the future are the ones building teams that reflect the world around them. At Leopardo, we’re proud to be part of that shift.”

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In this role, Crnich will provide project oversight for Leopardo’s JOC portfolio, supporting client relationships, operational execution, and team performance across a growing range of on-call and multi-site programs. His leadership will further enhance Leopardo’s ability to deliver efficient, collaborative solutions for clients that require speed, flexibility, and accountability.

Crnich brings more than 25 years of Job Order Contracting experience, having led JOC programs for a wide range of public and institutional clients including the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Transit Authority, Cook County, University of Illinois Chicago, and other major agencies. His work spans repairs, renovations, and maintenance across occupied facilities, infrastructure assets, and mission-critical environments requiring rapid response and close coordination. Most recently, he served as JOC Division Manager at Paul Borg Construction Company, where he spent more than two decades overseeing the bidding, management, and execution of all awarded JOC contracts.

“James brings an exceptional depth of experience in Job Order Contracting and a clear understanding of what public-sector clients need to be successful,” said Pete Oldendorf, Vice President of Job Order Contracting at Leopardo. “His consistency in execution and client-first approach align perfectly with how Leopardo delivers JOC work and he will be instrumental as we continue to grow our JOC program and strengthen partnerships.”

Crnich also brings prior experience from F.H. Paschen, where he served as a Project Manager within the firm’s JOC division and supported multiple City of Chicago departments and regional agencies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management from Purdue University.

“I’m excited to join Leopardo and build on the strong reputation the firm has established with public-sector clients,” said Crnich. “Leopardo’s relationship-driven culture, operational discipline, and commitment to long-term partnerships closely mirror how successful JOC programs are built. I’m looking forward to supporting our clients and helping grow a program they can continue to rely on.”

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Prior to that, Dey spent a decade with The Albert M. Higley Co., where he specialized in leading high-dollar, highly complex healthcare construction projects throughout Ohio. His portfolio includes major hospital expansions, occupied-space renovations, and phased healthcare environments requiring extensive coordination, safety planning, and stakeholder alignment. He is a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) and an active member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE).

“Eric is a strategic addition to our leadership team and a strong cultural fit for Leopardo,” said Steve Smith, Executive Vice President. “He brings a deep understanding of complex construction environments, a proven ability to lead large teams, and a relationship-first mindset that aligns perfectly with how we operate. As we continue to invest in Ohio and thoughtfully expand our presence, Eric will play a key role in strengthening our operations and supporting sustainable growth.”

Leopardo has already established a strong foundation in Ohio with the successful delivery of 1060 Bolivar, a multifamily residential community in downtown Cleveland, and 45 Erieview, a large-scale office-to-residential conversion that required extensive coordination and adaptive reuse expertise. The firm is also preparing to break ground on Belle Oaks, a highly anticipated class-A, multi-family and mixed-use development in Richmond Heights.

Dey’s appointment reflects Leopardo’s deliberate investment in experienced leadership to support its growing Ohio portfolio and continued expansion within specialized sectors that demand operational rigor and long-term client trust.

“I’m excited to join Leopardo at such an important point in the company’s growth,” said Dey. “Leopardo’s 50-year legacy of strong relationships, integrity, and problem-solving excellence immediately stood out to me. Combined with a robust pipeline and a bright future ahead in Ohio, it’s clear this is a company deeply committed to its people, its partners, and the communities it serves.”

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The 1539 N Pulaski redevelopment by Hispanic Housing Development Corporation follows Leopardo’s recently completed affordable housing work in the region, including Encuentro Square, Canvas at Leland Plaza, and Sheffield of Lincoln Park. The 63,299-SF adaptive reuse project will convert the historic Pioneer Arcade Building into 61 units of affordable senior housing, preserving its terracotta façade, converting the interior for modern residential use, and adding a new six-story residential structure on the adjacent southern lot. The building will also include supportive service offices, a fitness room, community room, bike storage, and 26 parking spaces to support accessibility for residents and caregivers alike.

“Affordable housing is core to our work we do and the partners we build with,” said Mike Mastin, Leopardo’s Senior Vice President of Residential. “Projects like 1539 N. Pulaski are why we’re here. They reflect Leopardo at its best — working through complex construction and budgeting challenges with aligned partners and delivering real community impact. We’re grateful for the trust placed in us and excited to move this project forward.”

Leopardo has built a reputation for being a partner long before construction begins — collaborating with clients through early budgeting, design decisions, and scope planning to make complex residential developments financially achievable without sacrificing quality. This project represents another opportunity to put that approach into action alongside project partners the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC), UrbanWorks, and Tropic Construction, organizations equally committed to strengthening communities through long-term investment in people and housing.

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With more than 20 years at Leopardo, Patty has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s sustainability strategies and guiding sustainability across a portfolio exceeding 4.5 million square feet and $800 million in certified green building projects. Under her leadership, Leopardo has implemented a jobsite sustainability strategies program that actively reduces the environmental impact of Leopardo’s projects—totaling more than 90 projects in 2024 and over 240 sustainability strategies focused on impact areas like: emissions reduction, embodied carbon, waste diversion, and jobsite wellness.

“I’m honored to be recognized as a Crain’s Chicago 2025 Notable Sustainability Leader,” said Patty Lloyd, Director of Sustainability at Leopardo Construction. “This recognition, alongside our recent rise of 17 spots on the Engineering News Record Top 100 Green Contractors list, reflects the incredible work our teams are doing every day to #BuildGreen.”

Lloyd emphasized that the growing visibility of sustainability leaders signals a broader business imperative: “We’re at a pivotal moment in our industry, where the momentum behind green building and energy efficiency is accelerating. I was proud to contribute to the development and rollout of the USGBC’s LEED v5 rating system, released this April, which represents a major step forward in advancing sustainable design and construction. My hope is that more people—from every discipline and background—see this as an invitation to get involved. We need more voices, more innovators, and more advocates to create lasting, measurable change.”

Patty also leads Leopardo’s ESG Steering Committee, which was established in 2020 to formalize companywide sustainability reporting and goal setting. Beyond the company, she recently chaired the U.S. Green Building Council’s Design and Construction Consensus Committee, helping shape LEED v5, and is the 2026 incoming chair to the LEED Steering Committee. She has previously served as chair of the Illinois Green Alliance Board of Directors and continues to mentor emerging professionals entering the sustainability field.

Patty holds three professional credentials—LEED Fellow, WELL Accredited Professional, and Living Future Accredited Professional—and earned her Master of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2023. Her career is defined by both her impact on the built environment and her commitment to empowering others to build a more sustainable future.

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