Greenbuild's 2025 Keynote Speakers

We are thrilled to announce that Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the acclaimed Actor, Producer, and Environmental Activist, will take the stage as the Wednesday Keynote speaker at Greenbuild on Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00am PT. Renowned for her iconic roles in groundbreaking series like Veep and Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus has also emerged as a powerful advocate for environmental sustainability. Her work with organizations such as the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), The William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation, and the Honorary Board of Heal the Ocean underscores her unwavering commitment to protecting our planet’s natural resources. Her keynote promises to inspire and energize the Greenbuild community as we work together to create a more sustainable built environment.

Louis-Dreyfus’s environmental advocacy aligns seamlessly with Greenbuild’s mission to transform the building and architecture industries through sustainable practices. As a steadfast defender of the environment, she has championed initiatives to protect oceans, combat climate change, and promote conservation. Her leadership on the boards of prominent environmental organizations reflects her dedication to driving meaningful change, making her an ideal voice to address the challenges and opportunities facing the green building community. Attendees can expect her keynote to provide a compelling perspective on how individual and collective action can shape a more sustainable future.

Beyond her environmental work, Louis-Dreyfus’s illustrious career in entertainment has made her a household name and a trailblazer for women in comedy. With numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, she has used her platform to amplify critical issues, including environmental stewardship. Her ability to connect with audiences through humor, wit, and authenticity ensures that her keynote will resonate deeply with Greenbuild attendees, offering both inspiration and actionable insights.

As the Greenbuild community gathers to explore innovative solutions for sustainable design and construction, Louis-Dreyfus’s keynote will serve as a powerful reminder of the intersection between environmental advocacy and the built environment. Her passion for protecting natural resources and fostering resilience mirrors the values of architects, designers, and builders committed to creating spaces that harmonize with the planet. Her insights will challenge us to think creatively about how we can integrate sustainability into every aspect of our work.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to hear from one of the most celebrated figures in entertainment and environmental activism. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s keynote at 8am PT on November 5th will set the tone for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and innovation at Greenbuild. Join us as we learn from her unique perspective and continue our shared mission to build a greener, more sustainable future. View the press release here.

Award-Winning Community Organizer, Writer, Speaker, and President & CEO of The Solutions Project, Gloria Walton, will take the Greenbuild keynote stage on Friday, November 7, at 11:30am PT.

Gloria Walton is an award-winning community organizer, writer, speaker, and the President and CEO of The Solutions Project, a nonprofit that funds and amplifies climate justice solutions created by frontline communities building power for an equitable and regenerative economy. Described as one of the country’s most exciting “next generation” political leaders and named "New President to Watch" and one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Philanthropy” by Inside Philanthropy, Gloria is disrupting the industry status quo with her power and movement building experience.

Gloria has won numerous awards for her work and leadership, including a TIME CO2 Earth Award for her ceaseless commitment to climate justice, the NAACP-LA's Empowerment Award, the LA League of Conservation Voters Environmental Justice Champion Award, and was named a Grist 50 Fixer and a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst. Her work and words have been featured on The Nation, Huffington Post, CBS News, TIME, Inside Philanthropy, Bloomberg, and The Hill.

Ashantae Green is a Sustainability Leader, cultural conservationist, and Creative Project Strategist who brings over a decade of transformative leadership experience. A former two-time elected official, Ashantae now serves as the City of Jacksonville’s first Sustainability Manager, where she leads cross-sector initiatives and public policy for the largest land-mass city in the United States. Her portfolio includes spearheading the city’s LEED for Cities certification, City-Wide Food Plan, EPA Northeast Florida Regional Climate Action Plan, and numerous other strategic efforts. She also serves as a federally appointed commissioner for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, working across four southeastern states to preserve history, culture, and land in rural and coastal communities while driving economic investment. Her leadership has helped secure millions in federal and private grants to advance impactful work throughout the Southeast.

With education in architectural design, sustainability, and business from Florida State College at Jacksonville and Louisiana State University, Ashantae founded A Green Design Co. in 2017, a multidisciplinary studio and innovation lab that transforms bold ideas into real-world impact by designing, funding, and activating community-centered solutions. Its portfolio spans regenerative agriculture, corporate equity training, public outreach, placemaking, storytelling, brand campaigns, and strategic planning frameworks. The studio also integrates technology, including AI tools, 3D modeling, and digital resources, to support passion-driven initiatives across sectors and scales.

Her impact has earned recognition as a Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, recipient of multiple Environmental Achievement Awards from the City of Jacksonville, USGBC South Atlantic Region Women in Green: Women to Watch, and USGBC North Florida Young Professional of the Year. Her work has been featured on magazine covers and in newspapers and media outlets, continuing to amplify the voices and stories of the communities she serves.

Locally, Ashantae is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Jacksonville Chapter and serves on the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Advisory Committee. She also co-chairs the NAACP Jacksonville Environmental & Climate Justice Committee. A former alumna, mentor, and board member of the ACE Mentoring Program of Northeast Florida, she served on the USGBC North Florida/Florida Market Leadership Advisory Board for nine years. Ashantae was also a founding member of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Agricultural Innovations Workgroup, helping shape the future of Florida’s food and farming systems.

Globally, Ashantae appears as a non-playable character (NPC) in the Microsoft Minecraft Education video game, where she teaches students around the world about sustainability, green building, and urban planning within a virtual Jacksonville. She is also a recognized subject matter expert on sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and was selected to serve on The Guardian UK’s Scott Trust task force on restorative justice.

Ashantae brings a grounded, innovative presence to every table she joins, helping communities grow what matters and imagine what’s possible.