The 17 Sustainable Development goals aim to address imminent global challenges.

Oct. 28, 2022

Three North Texas greenies were recognized for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a slate of 17 goals, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015.

The UN Day Global Leadership Awards were hosted by the Dallas Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA in a virtual ceremony on Saturday.

To select the winners, the Dallas Chapter of UNA-USA gathered nominations from individuals across North Texas. The awards honor projects that respond to imminent global challenges such as climate change, migration, rising inequity and the pandemic. 

The 2022 honorees included Susie Marshall, founder and executive director of Grow North Texas; Meghna Tare, chief sustainability officer for The University of Texas at Arlington Office of Sustainability; and Gary Olp, founder and principal of Dallas-based GGO Architects.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Susie Marshall, founder and executive director of Grow North TexasMarshall was recognized for advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. She has been advocating for food justice in North Texas for nearly 20 years in various capacities, including the former Gleaning Network of Texas. For 10 years, she has led GROW North Texas, a non-profit that works to connect North Texans to food, farms and community in order to create a sustainable, secure regional food system.

QUALITY EDUCATION

Meghna Tare, chief sustainability officer for The University of Texas at Arlington Office of SustainabilityTare was honored for her work advancing SDG 4: Quality Education as UTA’s first director of Sustainability. 

In recent years, she spearheaded the creation of a regional center for sustainability in North Texas, an enterprise based on a United Nations program. The organization aims to to bring together regional sustainability experts to reinforce common goals and share best practices. 

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

ary Olp, founder and principal of Dallas-based GGO Architects.Meanwhile, Dallas architect Olp was honored for promoting SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Olp’s firm GGO Architects was the first green practice to open in Dallas, focusing on green buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, passive solar techniques, natural day lighting, non-toxic materials, advanced building science and enhanced indoor air quality. Olp has since completed more than 350 projects including residential, commercial, institutional and museum work throughout the United States. 

He won the Green Source DFW Award Sustainable Leadership Award for For-Profit Professional in 2014.

OTHER MENTIONS

Other honorees included Dr. Albert L. Reyes, president and CEO Buckner International (SDG 1: No Poverty); Terry J. Flowers, Ph.D., headmaster and executive director, St. Philip's School and Community Center (SDG 2: Zero Hunger); Dave Phillips, founder and president Children’s Hunger Fund (SDG 2: Zero Hunger); Mary Pat Higgins, president and CEO, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions); Lachon Jacobs, president Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Xi Omega Chapter (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals) and David and Nelda Reid (Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award).

UNA-USA is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the work of the United Nations through public education and advocacy.

RELATED ARTICLES

UTA names first Chief Sustainability Officer

New North Texas center to serve as hub for sustainability experts

Building a green city: Q&A with Dallas architect Gary Olp


Stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, including the latest news and events! Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Also check out our new podcast The Texas Green Report, available on your favorite podcast app.

Main category: