After a recent 6 month sabbatical, Brenda Martens, co-founder and Principal of Recollective, will be retiring from the company to pursue a path of education and advocacy.

In 2006, Brenda co-founded Recollective with the shared aim to create an innovative green building company that does business differently – one with little hierarchy, one that collaborates with its competition, and one that builds capacity through education and mentorship. Over the past 5 years, her shared vision has been realized through her shared leadership. Recollective has proven to be one of the top green building companies in Canada, boasting some of the most high profile projects such as the LEED Gold and Platinum Southeast False Creek Olympic Village, and the Okanagan College of Excellence, targeting the Living Building Challenge.

Brenda’s commitment to green building education and advocacy has been a critical ingredient to the success of Recollective, and has become embedded in the DNA of the organization. As a faculty member of the Canada and Cascadia Region Green Building Councils, as well as UBC’s green building programs, Brenda has taught numerous workshops across Canada in LEED and the Integrated Design Process. As Brenda retires from Recollective, she will continue her passion for education and will remain as faculty.

I am thankful for Brenda’s dedication to the company and her leadership style. All of us at Recollective will miss her passion, her intensity and her sense of humour. We wish Brenda the best of luck in her new path as a writer and educator, and look forward to witnessing the next chapter in her life. The following is a personal message from Brenda:

“Anyone who works in our field knows that it’s not just a career, it’s a calling. Once you know how the building industry affects the environment, it’s impossible to “unknow” it. Each of us works in our own way, whether on policy, projects, research or other avenues to affect change – to seek that place where what we build integrates into a sustainable society.

I have reflected on the time I have spent in the industry, and have come to the conclusion that my greatest contribution is through education and advocacy. I’ll be leaving Recollective in order to focus my efforts in this regard. I can do so without concern – Recollective has a solid knowledge base, creativity and leadership, and these attributes are distributed throughout the company. This has allowed Recollective to thrive, and I anticipate their continued achievements and innovation.

It has been a privilege and my pleasure to work with all of you, and with the members of Recollective in a consulting role, and I look forward to redefining a new role and contributing in a different capacity.”

To celebrate this transition, we’ll be hosting at special “Retirement” Party for Brenda at HiVE on March 30th. Music, food and drinks will be provided. I hope you can make it. Please RSVP using the following link: partyforbrenda.eventbrite.com

Warm regards,

Eesmyal Santos-Brault
Principal, Recollective