Rob Watson
Rob is an international leader and expert in market and business transformation, circular economy, climate, energy and green buildings, working globally in and with the private, governmental and non-governmental sectors to solve large infrastructure and systems problems at scale. Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer prize-winning author and New York Times columnist, calls Mr. Watson “one of America’s best environmental minds” and has featured his work in Hot, Flat and Crowded and The World is Flat 3.0. For its 2019 sestercentennial edition, Dartmouth College recognized Rob as one of Dartmouth’s “25 Most Influential Alumni” in its 250-year history.
Rob has spent three decades conceiving and implementing policies, programs and projects and clean technology opportunities on four continents that combine regulatory push with market pull to enhance business and policy outcomes. Rob seeks to optimize energy, environmental, and economic benefits through the intersection of services and technologies across multiple sectors -- from green buildings, and sustainable urban mobility to zero waste management.
He founded the LEED green building system of the U.S. Green Building Council, and in 2015, Rob founded the SWEEP—Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance—Standard for Sustainable Materials Management. Since 2007, he has been in a leadership role at four start-ups ranging from international and US-based green building services & technology companies to a zero-waste technology.
Watson has been honored with several national and international awards and has authored and been featured in numerous articles and publications worldwide. Rob is a regular speaker and conference keynote.
Experience (Present)
Principal at Upland Road, LLC
Founder & President at SWEEP (Solid Waste Environmental Excellence) Standard
Education
MBA, International Entrepreneurship, Columbia University School of Business
MS, Energy & Resources, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Dartmouth College
Licenses & Certifications
LEED Fellow, US Green Building Council, 2013
LEED Accredited Professional BD&C, US Green Building Council, 2010
Language
Russian (proficient)
French (proficient)
Spanish (fluent)
External Links