Relationship Builder Kevin Brettmann Wins Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award

A builder in every sense of the word, Kevin Brettmann was the ideal choice to receive the 2026 Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award. Each year, I2SL recognizes an individual or team who emulates the spirit of I2SL’s late founder by being both a leader in the sustainable labs arena and a community-builder within and outside the organization. Kevin embodies the spirit of I2SL founder Phil Wirdzek by recognizing and ensuring that progress in sustainable labs is truly a team effort.

As the former Director of Science & Technology at JE Dunn Construction, Kevin ensured sustainability was a guiding principle as he helped clients translate ambitious goals for energy performance, resiliency, safety, and decarbonization into practical, successful projects. Following are just some of the building projects where Kevin worked to bridge teams’ design vision and field execution, translating complex sustainability strategies into built environments that are a model for lab planners:

• Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building at the University of Colorado Boulder (LEED Platinum).

• Robertson Life Sciences Building and Skourtes Tower at the Oregon University System/Oregon Health & Science University (LEED Platinum).

• Emory University’s Health Research Building II.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s CDC 401 project.

• Vanderbilt University Stevenson Center.

Kevin’s colleagues describe his enthusiasm as infectious and his leadership as generous, steady, and collaborative. Whether managing construction projects or representing I2SL, he has a gift for bringing people into the conversation—lab owners, architects, engineers, contractors, operators, green labs professionals, researchers, health and safety officers, and manufacturers—and helping each person see their role in sustainability efforts.

Kevin served as Vice President of the I2SL Board of Directors, chaired the I2SL Chapters and Membership Committee, and contributed to the Labs2Zero Leadership Council and several other Board committees. He was the founding president of the Colorado and Texas chapters of I2SL, served as treasurer of the Arizona Chapter, and supported the development of several other chapters around the world

By being a mentor to others in the sustainable labs community, Kevin has multiplied his impact, share lessons learned with colleagues, and inspired higher standards for lab building performance. Kevin’s lasting contributions to I2SL and the life sciences community are continuing Phil Wirdzek’s legacy.