Simonen

Kathrina (Kate) Simonen is a professor at the University of Washington and founding executive director of the Carbon Leadership Forum, where she has catalyzed global progress in reducing embodied carbon in construction. A licensed architect and structural engineer, Kate is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work advancing lifecycle assessment methods, shaping public policy, and transforming climate-forward design practices in the built environment. Under her leadership, the Carbon Leadership Forum has supported major initiatives such as the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool and advised more than 30 government programs worldwide. Kate holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a master’s degree in architecture and structural engineering from the University of California, Berkley. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an Honorary Fellow of the United Kingdom’s Institution of Structural Engineers, Kate is celebrated for bridging research, policy, and practice to create a more sustainable and resilient future.