Jacob Knowles is the Director of Sustainable Design at BR+A. Inspired by his leadership and vision, his team has championed over sixteen million square feet of Zero Net Energy buildings and Carbon Neutral campuses, spanning from San Diego to Boston, with the majority in the Northeastern US. This includes the first verified net zero laboratory building in the US, the Sbrega Building at Bristol Community College. This portfolio has lead BR+A to the #1 position for commercial building engineers in MA, per the Built Environment Plus report.

As a climate activist and board member of the BSA, Jacob has also helped lead the recent climate revolution in the regional building industry. To ensure that all future buildings will be carbon neutral, his efforts include co-authoring Boston's Zero Carbon Zoning and the new 2023 Stretch Energy Code.

Based on his work and advocacy, Jacob’s speeches have inspired audiences at nearly every national sustainable building conference. Drawing on his expertise and passion, he sparks optimism, builds consensus, and helps achieve what was previously thought impossible. His goal is to enable the next generation of building industry professionals to achieve goals that still seem out of reach.