Ask An Expert with Sustainability Expert, Sandra Closson

Meet Sandra Closson

Some people see spreadsheets full of utility data. Sandra sees a story about how a building operates and where it can improve.

With nearly three decades of professional experience and 17 years in sustainability, Sandra has built a career helping organizations translate evolving regulations, reporting frameworks, and environmental data into practical business decisions. Her engineering background gives her a unique way of looking at complex problems, and her certifications are simply proof of what her clients already know: she knows how to connect sustainability with operational performance.

Her take?

The best sustainability strategies don’t create more work. They make the work you’re already doing work better.

What made you decide to pursue a career in sustainability?

“In a way, the field chose me. I began my career as an Industrial Engineer for building products manufacturers, and when my company formed its first Sustainability Committee, I joined out of curiosity. Although the committee was short-lived, my interest only grew. I quickly realized that my engineering background gave me a unique perspective to be able to look at ways to bridge the gap between operations and environmental impact. This led to the pursuit of my LEED AP accreditation and a transition into my first Sustainability Manager position. What started as a volunteer role 17 years ago turned into a career-long passion for helping organizations align their operations with measurable environmental performance and long-term resilience.”

Have you pursued any certifications or courses that have directly impacted your client work?

“My LEED AP accreditation has served as the technical foundation of my work. It includes a standardized foundation of sustainability principles that I’ve been able to apply across various projects. For clients, this helps me understand the holistic lifecycle of assets instead of looking at it from a single metric.

While my GRESB expertise was developed by managing over 25 GRESB submissions in the last four years, the GRESB AP designation validates that deep technical knowledge. The certification process allowed me to look beyond the specific funds I manage and explore nuances in the framework I might not otherwise encounter. This breadth of knowledge is vital for my clients; it allows me to anticipate reporting shifts and strategically maximize their GRESB scores to better appeal to institutional investors.

The GRI Certification is essential for my work in corporate transparency. It provides the framework necessary to help clients align their CSR reports with global best practices. Beyond just reporting, it has deepened my expertise in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they intersect with GRI. This allows me to help clients move beyond data collection to telling a cohesive, verifiable story about their social and environmental impact.”

Sustainability regulations are often a moving target. How do you stay ahead of emerging legislative shifts to ensure our clients are not just reacting, but are proactively positioned for future requirements?

“There are industry trends that give us insight into the emerging shifts, allowing us to help clients build frameworks for reporting before the full mandatory details are known. Conservice has many internal resources we use to stay at the forefront of changing regulations, and I personally supplement that by staying engaged with industry publications. As an example, we have been helping clients prepare GHG inventories and TCFD climate risk analyses in preparation for California bills SB253 and SB261. Even if the legislative timeline shifts, clients still benefit from having a robust framework that supports investor demands.”

Where do you see the biggest hurdle in the sustainability landscape right now—and how is our team positioned to assist over the next few years?

“In my view, there are two big challenges. The first is turning data into actionable insights at the asset level. Many organizations have a wealth of utility and emissions data, but the challenge is using that data to drive tangible performance improvements. As reporting frameworks are shifting their focus from simply reporting to showing performance gains, this will become even more important. There is an opportunity for the data to be used in a meaningful way to inform CapEx planning, identify efficiency targets, or build a business case for retrofits. One of the biggest hurdles is moving from reporting data to using it to create long-term asset value. 

Conservice is uniquely positioned because we specialize in identifying actionable insights. We help clients look at their GRESB or GHG data not just as a score but as a roadmap for operational improvements. 

The second challenge is communicating with stakeholders in a way that is meaningful to them. Each stakeholder views sustainability through a different lens, and we support clients by tailoring their communication strategies for each audience.”

What is one sustainability misconception you often find yourself debunking?

“The biggest misconception I encounter is that sustainability is an ‘additive’ task—a separate, parallel job that sits on top of existing responsibilities. For a property manager or an operations lead, that feels like a burden.

I debunk this by showing them that sustainability is actually just high-performance operations. When we look at energy efficiency, waste reduction, or water conservation, we aren’t adding new tasks; we are refining existing ones. It’s most effective when it’s ‘baked into’ the standard business processes they already manage. If a building is running efficiently, it is, by definition, running sustainably. My goal is to help them see that sustainability isn’t more work—it’s better work that often leads to fewer operational headaches and lower costs in the long run.”

The right sustainability strategy starts with the right partner. Conservice helps real estate organizations prepare for changing regulations, strengthen reporting, and uncover opportunities across every asset.

Talk with a sustainability expert today.