July CREW-SF Member Spotlight: Kena David

Kena David, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, Director, Sustainability | BCCI Construction

Social Media:
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kena-david-00a4a163/
Twitter: @BCCIbuilders

Professional Background: 
With expertise in sustainability, green building, and chemistry, Kena David leads the Sustainability Department at BCCI, working with project teams to support client sustainability goals as well as growing and shaping departmental initiatives. Kena has completed dozens of sustainable projects under the LEED Rating System, including the world’s first LEED v4 for Commercial Interiors Platinum Certified project. Additionally, she has successfully managed over half a dozen WELL projects, a leading tool for advancing health and well-being in buildings globally, including the first WELLv1 Certified^TM Interior at the Silver level in San Francisco, the first WELL Ground Up in Northern California, and the first WELL Certified^TM project in Texas. Her experience includes sustainable design strategy/cost analysis and LEED and WELL project management. Kena also provides educational training on the successful implementation of LEED and workshops on various sustainability frameworks. Kena is a LEED AP (Accredited Professional) in Interior Design and Construction, a WELL AP, and a WELL Faculty member serving in an elite group of professionals participating in education on the WELL Building Standard and contributing to continual program development. Kena has also been recognized for her leadership receiving the 2017 ELEVATE Rising Rock Star Award and the Northern California Women of Real Estate Rising Star Award.

CREW SF Background:
My highlight experience with CREW SF was back in 2014 when we began brainstorming how to get the next generation of CRE leaders involved in the organization. I was the founding chair of the Rising Leaders committee for two years focusing on growing CREW’s recruitment of new members and sustaining veteran members. was After being active with Rising Leaders , I transitioned  to the Governance committee. As a member of the Governance committee, I learned a lot about the chapter’s makeup and participated in selecting the incoming board and president. Following governance, I became the Vice-Chair of Sponsorship and have been actively involved for over a year on that committee. This year, the Sponsorship committee has worked hard to revamp the annual chapter sponsorship structure to minimize the amount of outreach for events during the year and maximize the networking and learning for committee members. I am also a part of the 2019 Leadership Certificate cohort and have had a glimpse into the amazing reach of CREW Network.

Q&A:
How did you move up in your career at and what advice do you have for women who wish to advance in their jobs?
During my nine years in the industry, I have worked for BCCI and advanced from a part-time Sustainability Intern to the Director of Sustainability. Early on, I came from a purely science and sustainability background and had much to learn about the CRE industry. When my work was light, I asked to help out in any way I could and worked with the estimating department filing paperwork, the permit team to help out with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), project management as an assistant project manager, and filled in at reception when needed. When I got involved in CREW, it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the CRE industry beyond the general contracting world.

My advice to women who wish to advance their careers is to stay engaged and always be learning. Don’t be afraid to take on something new; it can give you a more well-rounded understanding of your organization and how your desired role can help the company. Throughout my advancement, I have also stayed up to date with the ever-changing green building trends and provided education to both BCCI and our clients on the latest and greatest in the sustainability world. BCCI’s offers a full-service consultative approach to sustainability to add more value for our clients.

What do you like most about your job and/or industry?
At the heart of my job is my passion for sustainability and building better for people and the environment. The world is always going to need real estate, and if I can help them build more sustainably, that is a win!

What advice do you want to give a new CREW SF member?
Get involved! I have made some amazing connections at CREW and learned a lot from different people in other facets of the CRE industry. Committee work provides leadership opportunities and group work not only forges business connections, but also friendships.

What has been the highlight during your membership with CREW SF?
The highlight of my CREW experience would have to be the 2017 ELEVATE awards where I won Rising Rock Star. Being recognized amongst the three CREW Bay Area chapters and The Registry was an exciting and humbling moment for me.

How has CREW SF benefitted you personally and/or professionally?
Professionally, CREW SF has been a place for me to learn other parts of the CRE industry. It has also provided me with both business and personal connections that I will carry wherever my career and life take me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love getting outside, especially in Tahoe. Snowboarding in the winter and hiking when the ski season is over. I also try to get back east to Massachusetts to visit my family whenever I can, always try to catch a Sox game, and eat a few lobstah rolls while I’m there.

What’s a fun fact that you’d like to share about yourself? In high school, I was a cheerleader and voted “Most Spirited” in my senior year superlatives.