Michelle Benavides,

SEA, LEED AP BD+C, M.Ed.

Executive Director

Michelle Benavides is an international nonprofit executive director, successful business leader, international trainer, and strategic community-builder. Michelle leads the ISSP's mission to empower sustainability professionals across the workforce and around the world through capacity building and collaboration. During her time as CEO and Co-Founder of L.E. Rigby Innovations, Michelle built an organization to support the sustainability industry’s need to move faster, empowering sustainability specialists to accelerate action in the field. As a LEED AP BD+C-credentialed high-performance buildings educator, U.S. Green Buildings Council faculty member, and Fitwel Ambassador, Michelle has trained more than 2,000 professionals worldwide by delivering on-demand courses and in-person sessions. In her community-building work, she has represented ISSP, ASHRAE, USGBC, IDEAS for Us and other organizations to teach sustainability fundamentals. She is also a proud former classroom teacher and holds a Masters in Education.

Michelle believes it will take collective action to create the future envisioned by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her mission is to accelerate the impact of future leaders, expand the knowledge of sustainability professionals, and inspire everyone to step into their power to create a more sustainable tomorrow, because we truly are better together.