The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, has announced that David Purcell has joined the organization as chief marketing officer, leading marketing and communications.

The appointment represents a key investment in USGBC’s strategy to transform how buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated to save energy, reduce waste, and improve occupant health.

“As our organization and the markets we serve continue to rapidly evolve, building a world-class marketing and communications function is essential to achieving our mission and growth objectives,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). “David will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of our ideas and innovations, accelerating adoption of our products and services, strengthening our brand, and positioning us for continued growth and global impact.”

Purcell, who is based at USGBC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, brings more than 30 years of executive marketing leadership across several globally recognized organizations, including UnitedHealth Group, Visa, Charles Schwab, BlackRock, and American Express. He has built and led global marketing organizations, driven digital transformation, and developed growth strategies spanning both business-to-business and consumer markets.

Most recently, he served as a senior marketing advisor to growth-stage and enterprise organizations across the healthcare, financial services, and technology sectors, where he drove AI-enabled marketing strategy, brand positioning, and performance marketing.

“Joining USGBC is something of a full-circle moment for me. My career in marketing began working alongside the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program, and I’ve spent the years since helping some of the world’s most recognized brands turn strong missions into strong growth,” Purcell said. “LEED and USGBC have already set the global standard for green building, and I’m excited to help advance such a critical mission.”

Purcell holds an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.

Purcell joins the USGBC senior leadership team as the organization looks to rapidly scale adoption of LEED v5, the latest version of the world’s most widely used green building rating system, and TRUE zero waste —and convene the community at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, October 20–23, in New York City. Greenbuild is the premier event for green building professionals, bringing together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and visionaries committed to building stronger, more resilient buildings and communities. Register for Greenbuild now.