Robert Smith

Vice President, Technology &
Head of Greensoil Building Innovation Services

Robert is a strong entrepreneurship-oriented leader with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable design, operations, commissioning, and methodology. A subject matter expert in sustainable high- and low-rise construction of buildings and communities, including HVAC infrastructure, renewables, and controls, Robert has a proven track record in identifying carbon-reduction opportunities.

Since 2013, Robert has served as Vice President, Consulting for Greensoil Building Innovation Services (GBIS), contributing to GSPV’s dealflow and company research and providing technical recommendations of potential investments. In this capacity, he is also a sustainability consultant for over $360 million in new high-rise developments, energy efficiency consultant for existing buildings of a US-based developer, and a subject matter expert for Enbridge’s Savings by Design program.

Previously, as Director of Innovation of the Minto Group, Robert developed and led a team guiding award-winning sustainable design strategies for Minto’s real estate portfolio. He generated business cases for adoption of next-generation technologies in real estate and led Minto’s Equilibrium for Homes and Equilibrium for Communities initiatives.

As a LEED Accredited Professional and Certified Energy Manager, Robert was instrumental in Minto’s environmental achievements, including the first LEED multi-residential certification by the Canada Green Building Council, the first high-rise multi-residential building to achieve LEED Gold, and the highest-rated LEED Platinum project in Canada.

Robert is a leading expert in net-zero construction and energy efficiency, and has presented at various international conferences including COP16 (the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference) and Greenbuild. He presented on energy efficiency to the 112th U.S. Congress and was an executive dialogue speaker at EEGlobal Forum on Zero Energy Communities and “The Best Buildings in the World.