Women’s History Month: Celebrating Sustainability Director, Lauren Gunther

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re proud to highlight Lauren Gunther, our Director of Sustainability!

A passion for sustainability and architecture started early as Gunther grew up in a household where art was celebrated. The balance between technical and artistic expression drew Gunther to architecture. Gunther’s sustainability journey began at the age of eight when she and her brother designed posters for her elementary school to encourage recycling. As her career progressed, sustainability became an even more integral part of her work from a desire to impact buildings at a larger scale. “Sustainability is something I always wanted to be part of, not just in building, but in finding ways to make a positive, lasting impact.”

As a leader in sustainability, Gunther is motivated by the opportunity to learn from the diverse perspectives of others, believing that each challenge presents a chance for growth and collaboration. Her drive to push sustainable solutions is rooted in her ability to communicate the importance of sustainability in clear, non-technical terms, ensuring the message resonates with everyone. As the Director of Sustainability, she works to elevate DiMella Shaffer’s knowledge. When asked how she’ll accomplish that, Gunther said, “I believe it’s about creating a culture of educating, learning, and embracing our role in advocating for sustainability.”

Gunther has been instrumental in advancing many sustainability initiatives, including tools distributed to the community and policy work through her role on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, which she views as a powerful tool driving industry-wide change. These initiatives are impacting projects such as a new affordable senior living project for Hebrew SeniorLife in Stoughton. “The process of working with Hebrew SeniorLife has been very collaborative, which has pushed the level of sustainability to a higher place.” The project is designed to meet the Passive House standard and to use all-electric systems, and solar panels will produce energy on-site.

She is particularly excited about the momentum in geothermal district energy, embodied carbon, and the growing adoption of Passive House standards. Her vision for the future is to continue driving sustainability within the industry by advocating for a universal language that fosters meaningful change while adapting to the rapid pace of innovation.

When Gunther began her career in architecture — a field that was more male-dominated at the time — navigating the technical side of the industry could be intimidating. With the support of two female mentors, along with time and experience, she built the confidence and expertise that shapes her leadership today. Gunther is inspired by the increasing number of women stepping into leadership roles, particularly within sustainability. “Women’s History Month means a great deal to me. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come, and I’m looking ahead to how we can continue that leadership.”