Drew Shula Leads Net Zero Movement with 12th Annual Conference

Drew Shula, a prominent social entrepreneur and environmentalist, is the Founder & CEO of Verdical Group, a nationally leading sustainability consulting firm that has achieved remarkable recognition as a high-scoring certified B Corporation and 1% for the Planet member. Under Shula's leadership, Verdical Group has worked with prestigious clients including NASA, Google, Johnson & Johnson, LAX, Meta, and Apple on high-profile green building projects, earning accolades such as the Inc. 5000 list, Real Leaders Impact Award, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognition. Shula's credentials are equally impressive, being only the sixth person ever honored as both a LEED Fellow and Living Future Hero, while also founding the world's largest annual net zero event - the Net Zero Conference.

The Net Zero Conference, now in its 12th year, has evolved from a small educational gathering into a major movement addressing decarbonization across multiple sectors. Originally launched simply as an educational event to help the green building community learn about net zero design, the conference has expanded to include content on Biomimicry, Biophilia, Built Environment, Design, Energy, Health & Wellness, Materials, Technology, Transportation, Urbanism, Waste, and Water. This year's event at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 1, 2025, will feature inspiring keynotes including Joel Cesare, Leah Thomas, Nalleli Cobo, and Michael Ford, along with educational sessions, an expo hall showcasing decarbonization technologies, and the Trailblazer Awards ceremony celebrating interdisciplinary leaders making positive environmental impacts.

Shula emphasizes the critical timing of this year's conference, noting that even amidst political turmoil, the event represents a growing movement that spans beyond individual buildings to encompass businesses, states, countries, and global sustainability efforts. His recent experience at a TED Countdown event in Nairobi reinforced the global nature of climate change and the cumulative impact of individual efforts worldwide. Verdical Group's work extends beyond consulting to include sustainable event production and significant environmental philanthropy as a 1% for the Planet Member Company, donating 1% of annual revenue to environmental nonprofits. The firm's comprehensive approach includes green building certifications, engineering services, ESG consulting, and net zero strategy development, all aimed at decarbonizing the built environment and inspiring sustainable futures.