Kelly Hagarty
Title: Senior Director of Sustainability
Organization: Verdani Partners
Location: San Diego, CA
Kelly Hagarty is a Sr. Director of Sustainability at Verdani Partners, an ESG consulting firm specializing in sustainable real estate. Kelly functions as the in-house Sr. Director of Sustainability for one of Verdani’s largest diversified clients, managing the ESG efforts for nearly 300 million square feet across over 1,250 office, retail, residential, hospitality, and industrial properties. She is responsible for driving Clarion Partners’ ESG initiatives including overall ESG strategy, building performance, resource conservation, resilience, stakeholder and tenant engagement, and investor reporting.
As the Sr. Director of Sustainability for Clarion Partners, Kelly has increased ESG participation in many departments across the firm, formally adopted 6 SDGs, and spearheaded the implementation of numerous efficiency projects as well as innovative projects including installing beehives on 17 properties to promote biodiversity. Under Kelly’s leadership, Clarion Partners certified 12 Fitwel projects since 2018, receiving an award from the Center of Active Design for one of its Fitwel properties.
Kelly also acts Sustainability Advisor for other Verdani accounts, training and guiding junior managers and employees. She has won several awards for her leadership within Verdani including the Visionary and All-Rounder awards. Kelly has a passion for mentoring team members as well as individuals outside of her company.
Kelly is actively involved in the local green building community and is a member of the San Diego Green Building Council Speakers’ Bureau, ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance, ULI Young Leaders Forum, Greenbuild Program Working Group. She has published several articles and webinars to educate the public on ESG topics and developed several ESG policies for Verdani clients. She received her BA in Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of San Diego and holds the LEED AP O+M, WELL AP, and Fitwel Ambassador accreditations.
In her personal life, Kelly is constantly finding ways to walk the walk by attempting zero waste, switching to green cleaning, repurposing or repairing old items, driving less, shopping organic, making homemade cleaning and beauty products, and educating friends and family on sustainable living.