ESG Consulting
An Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report is an in-depth document published annually by an organization to inform their stakeholders, clients, and team members of all the actionable steps they’re taking to be better stewards to people and the planet by reporting on data points like climate impact; carbon footprint; diversity, equity & inclusion; board ethics; company culture; and more. It creates and maintains a practice of transparency that has been proven to improve public trust in companies regardless of industry or size.
ESG at Epsten Group
At Epsten, ESG benchmarks have been at the core of our mission since the beginning. As a JUST 2.0-certified organization, we’ve prioritized equity, diversity, and environmental responsibility since our start in 1991. Our Sustainability Leadership Council, in partnership with Concord Group and AEI, works to inform interested audiences on the ESG journey while illustrating the benefits provided by the distinctive approach of a team of experienced experts. We’ve worked with organizations to ensure they meet all of their ESG goals, and we’ve also partnered with emerging young professionals in the Sustainable Business Consulting Practicum at Georgia Tech, educating and preparing future innovators in a multitude of best practices to implement ESG standards in their own business models.
Environmental
Environmental accountability and sustainability are in our DNA – they’re at the core of each and every one of our daily practices, and we foster a corporate environment that serves as proof of this. Our office space is LEED ID+C v4.1 Gold, Fitwel v2.1, WELL v2, WELL Health-Safety, WELL Equity Rated, RESET Air, Just. Label v2.0, and Living Building Challenge Certified, with a biophilic design throughout the space that utilizes carefully selected Red List Free materials to support the wellness and health of our team. Recycling, composting, and rigorous interior air quality monitoring are just a few of the things we do to ensure our office represents the core tenets of sustainability that guide all of our work.
Social
As the first company in the Southeast to earn the JUST 2.0 label certification, a distinction granted by the International Living Future Institute to identify social, just, and equitable organizations, we take pride in promoting a diverse and inclusive space for our team to thrive. We adhere to and celebrate WELL guidelines for our certified office on inclusion, social equity, and the well-being of all members of the team, as well as Fitwel’s standards that guide us in creating a safe and prosperous indoor space. With 9 in-house languages spoken and over 66% of our team comprised of woman-identifying individuals, equity is of the utmost importance to us in ensuring our team is cared for as diligently as they care for our world. We are led and inspired by passionate innovators on our team each and every day, and we believe this sets us apart in meaningful ways.
Governance
Our leadership supports and guides each of our teams by setting examples of transparency and equity in everything they do. Quarterly “Town Hall” meetings provide all team members with the most up-to-date information on how the company is performing in each department as well as highlighting significant achievements of each project team. This not only celebrates the incredible work all of our team members do, but fosters an environment of transparency and equal access to knowledge on company performance. Our WELL Health-Safety and v2 certifications ensure equitable and resilient governance that uplifts and supports each individual. This support extends outside of the workplace with paid time off to vote in all elections as well as company-provided paid volunteer hours, providing teams the opportunity to connect with and give back to the local Atlanta community. Our JUST label certification also guides us in maintaining an equitable environment where all team members are heard. Epsten Group ensures that its team works to be not only stewards of the environment at a large scale, but of their communities and immediate environments on a small scale, too.
Our Leaders
It takes strong leadership and deep knowledge to influence global change, and that’s what we have at Epsten Group. Meet the experts behind the international demand for sustainability.
Principal & Director of Operations
Bill D’Onofrio
AIA
William “Bill” D’Onofrio, AIA, serves as a Principal and the Director of Operations for Epsten Group. Since joining the Firm in 2012, he has had a tremendous impact on our growth. Having devoted more than 20 years to a career in architecture, he has worked on numerous government, office, industrial, retail and interior projects throughout the southeast. This perspective allows him to look at the business through a unique lens, providing meaningful oversight to our projects, mentorship to our expanding employee-base, spearheading strategic growth opportunities and pinpointing valuable solutions for our clients. He embodies the Firm’s beliefs that together with our clients, we can build a healthier, more just and prosperous world through sustainable practices. Bill is an avid traveler and likes to experience different cultures, having explored almost 30 countries throughout the world. FUN FACT: Bill’s favorite building in Atlanta is the High Museum.
Principal & Director of Commissioning
Darren Draper
PE, CxA
Darren Draper has dedicated his career to the important aspect of building commissioning, even serving as an expert on the topic for many A/E/C industry-related panel discussions. He is also one of two instructors for AABC Commissioning Group’s (ACG) Commissioning Authority Certification preparation workshop. As a certified expert in the field (CxA), he oversees the Firm’s commissioning services, including M/E/P systems, building envelope, and retro-commissioning. An exercise of communication and teamwork, his dedication to his role ensures that owners and end-users obtain an excellent return on their investment, and working hand-in-hand with other Firm principals, Darren integrates commissioning early in the design phase to maximize the benefits.
FUN FACT: Darren once played in a heavy metal band and is now the rocking father of three young children.
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting
Lauren Wallace
LFA, WELL AP, LEED AP, Fitwel Ambassador
Joining Epsten Group in 2009 as an Architectural Designer, Lauren is now a Principal and the Director of Certifications and Consulting. She is a leading sustainability consultant who cares about incorporating sustainable practices throughout the design-build industry. Aligning with the firm’s beliefs, Lauren’s work demonstrates that planning for the long-term can truly pay-off for a project. By working alongside her to integrate widespread sustainability practices, her clients can save time and money, and equally important, attract and retain much-needed talent. Along with her incredibly talented team, she helps uncover the possibilities.
FUN FACT: Lauren and her family are season ticket holders for the Atlanta United Major League Soccer team that won their first National Championship in 2018 at the LEED Platinum Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As a Georgia Tech alum, she finds it hard to sport the colors red and black, but her love for our local champions wins her over.