Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA

Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, is a founder of the sustainable design initiative at HOK, a global design firm whose pioneering green leadership has helped propel sustainability from a fringe activity to a significant mainstream movement shaping the future of architecture. She is currently on leave from HOK to serve as the Resident Fellow for AIA National on Sustainability and Design for Health. She is also on the Advisory Board of the Resilient Design Institute. Lazarus's career has focused on accelerating the profession’s ability to create significant green buildings and communities in every building type and region. Her devotion to sustainability has extended outside her firm through her role as an author, lecturer, community advocate and volunteer at the local and national level. Lazarus served as Program Commitee Chair for Greenbuild for 5 years. During that time, she also helped lead the USGBC response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that resulted in the publication of The New Orleans Principles.In 2008, Lazarus led the formation of HOK’s alliance with the Biomimicry Guild to integrate nature’s innovations in the planning and design of buildings, sites, and cities worldwide. This partnership is beginning to define a new sustainable standard for the architectural profession. Most recently, Lazarus directed a yearlong research effort and rigorous design exercise to establish a new prototype for affordable zero carbon emissions office buildings.