Set Yourself Apart: Get Your Project Green Certified to the National Green Building Standard
Michelle Desiderio
Abstract:
The National Green Building Standard is the first green building standard approved by the American
National Institute of Standards (ANSI), and offers a flexible, credible, and affordable rating system for all
residential projects. The Standard established practices for the design and construction of green
residential buildings, renovations, and land development. It allows for four certification levels and since
it’s approval by ANSI in 2008, has been widely used by residential projects of all sizes, types, and
affordability levels. Come learn about the Standard’s requirements, understand how the certification
process works, and hear how the Standard is helping to bring green, high performance construction to
the mainstream.
Bio:
Michelle Desiderio leads the National Green Building Certification Program based on the ANSI-approved
National Green Building Standard ™ (ICC 700-2008). The program includes training and accreditation of
Green Verifiers and certification of single family, multi-family, renovations, additions, and land
development. As a related service to product manufacturers, the Green Approved Products program
pre-approves certification points for products that meet green building practices.
Michelle possesses a broad knowledge of the housing industry, and has developed a unique perspective
that addresses the environmental, land use, and financing issues that confront builders and developers.
As a Planner for the New York City Department of City Planning, she facilitated a multi-year, citywide
effort to site and build transitional housing for homeless families and individuals. As a Policy Analyst at
the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), she developed comprehensive and innovative policy
solutions to achieve environmental goals while protecting housing affordability.
Interested in how to capture the intrinsic value of high performance homes to boost homeownership,
Michelle transitioned to Fannie Mae to develop their Housing and Environment Initiative which
promoted housing affordability through energy and location efficient homes. At Fannie Mae, Michelle
developed the Smart Commute Mortgage and revamped the Location Efficient and Energy Efficient
Mortgages. In addition, she developed a patent-winning methodology to calculate the emissions
reductions from energy homes so the reductions could be sold as energy credits on emerging carbon
markets.
Michelle has a Masters in Urban Planning and Environmental Studies from the University of Virginia and
a BS in Environmental Studies from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.