Leadership Accelerator Information Session for Applicants: Program Overview & Q&A
About the Program & Information Session
Join BE+ for an information session to learn more about the free, cohort-based professional development program for experienced and emerging AEC professionals with real-world project experience who are ready to deepen their technical expertise, strengthen their leadership skills, and advance high-performance, low-carbon, and clean-energy buildings.
This session is intended for:
• Architects
• Designers
• Engineers
• Construction professionals
• Sustainability/energy professionals
• Municipal staff
• Other experienced AEC professionals
Come with questions! This is a great opportunity to get a more detailed understanding of the program and how you can support your professional development and deepen your industry impact.
Session Agenda & Purpose:
• Introduce AEC professionals to the BE+ Leadership Accelerator
• Help potential applicants understand whether the program is a good fit
• Provide a clear overview of the program experience, application process, and participant support
This is a live, virtual office hour hosted by the Built Environment Plus Education Team.
For Applicants:
The BE+ Leadership Accelerator can help AEC industry professionals strengthen technical expertise, prepare to take on more project responsibility, move into leadership roles and more deeply integrate sustainability principles into their work.
Program participants can benefit from:
• Upskilling in energy code compliance, electrification, healthy and responsible material selection, and high-performance design and construction
• Building capacity to confidently lead project teams and communicate across diverse stakeholder groups
• Support with clear career development pathways
• Connecting with a statewide network of sustainability-focused professionals
Program Structure
Duration
Approximately 6 months
Format
Hybrid: live sessions + flexible online learning
Time Commitment
Approximately 8-12 hours per month, over 6 months
Cohort Model
Small, peer-based learning groups with opportunities for 1:1 coaching and live feedback on individual presentations.
Learning Approach
Technical training + leadership development + applied experience
Cost
Free or highly subsidized based on individual’s learning plan
What Participants Will Gain
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE & PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
Build the knowledge you need to contribute to the next generation of high-performance buildings.
Topics may include:
• Building Science & Enclosures
• Massachusetts Stretch & Specialized Energy Codes
• Passive Building Principles
• Embodied Carbon & Material Selection
• Sustainable Design & Construction
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Technical knowledge is only part of the equation. Develop the skills needed to lead projects and teams through:
• Communication, Negotiation & Conflict Management
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
• Project Management
• Navigating Change & Stakeholder Management
INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS
Your individual learning plan may include opportunities to pursue industry credentials aligned with your career goals.
Potential pathways may include:
• Passive House Associate
• Passive House Trades
• Passive House Builder or Consultant
• LEED Green Associate or LEED AP
• Green Professional (GPRO) Fundamentals, Construction or Operations & Maintenance
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
• WELL AP
• BEMP
• CDP
Credential pathways will be determined based on participant goals, eligibility, and individual learning plans. Additional costs may apply for advanced credentials. BE+ will subsidize up to a certain amount per individual participant for advanced credentials.
Who Should Apply?
The BE+ Leadership Accelerator is designed for AEC professionals with meaningful, hands-on project experience in the built environment who are ready to deepen their technical expertise, strengthen their leadership skills, and increase their impact. Professionals at a range of career stages are encouraged to attend.
Example professionals include:
• Architects & Designers
• Mechanical, Electrical, Civil & Energy Engineers
• Construction Managers & Superintendents
• Energy & Sustainability Consultants
• Municipal Staff & Building Professionals
• Other AEC Professionals interested in high-performance buildings and clean energy
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Are ready to take on greater project or team leadership
• Want to integrate sustainability and decarbonization into your daily work
• Are interested in advancing within your firm or the broader AEC industry
• Want to deepen your technical knowledge of high-performance buildings
• Are working on or interested in housing, high-performance, low-carbon, net-zero, or community-scale projects
• Are passionate about moving the industry forward
• Have meaningful experience working on real-world building or infrastructure projects
• Can draw on real challenges real challenges and questions from your work
• Are interested in strengthening your ability to lead projects, teams, clients or organizational change
We are looking for people with the drive to make a difference: on projects, within their companies, and with their clients. Participants may be at different stages of their careers. Rather than requiring a specific number of years in the industry, we are looking for professionals who have developed enough real-world project experience to bring practical questions, challenges, and perspectives into a collaborative learning environment.
