Episode 127: Heidi Creighton

Heidi Creighton is Principal Design and Planning Manager at the City of Santa Monica, California. She is spearheading circular economy initiatives, including the creation of Circular SoCal in coordination with AIA Los Angeles, CLF-LA, and USGBC California. Heidi is FAIA, a LEED Fellow, WELL AP, a Fitwel Ambassador, and creator of the Collective Impact speaker series.

Heidi has been intentional about her non-linear career. She has worked in architecture firms; in engineering, consulting, and construction organizations; in a nonprofit; and now she’s on the owner side with a municipality. She has a deep understanding of the industry and movement and insights about how to be effective. One tip is that we should “not get too comfortable in our roles, she says.

And she has guidance about how we communicate: “Being a good listener, being inquisitive and curious about any project or any client that you're working with is always good to help you build your case. Talking about resiliency, health and well-being, and the circular economy are great gateways to broadening the conversation and getting buy-in. People want lower utility bills and to improve health and well-being. Communities want local job opportunities and economic growth.”

Heidi works in the City of Santa Monica’s City Services Building (known as City Hall East). It’s a Living Building project, of which she is justifiably proud. She invites us all to visit, and indeed, there is much to learn from the project. “We have an irresistible staircase with artwork and daylighting,” she says. “I love coming to work every day in this beautiful building. And achieving net zero water in a region that’s typically in drought nine months of the year, that was a big lift as well.”