Sandra Heffernan, LEED AP - President

Sandra Heffernan, LEED AP, brings a passion for conservation and more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience to her role as Founder and President of Sustainable Partners, LLC. A full-service LEED consulting firm, Sustainable Partners, LLC educates and assists clients in adopting green programs for existing and newly constructed buildings.

Heffernan began her career in Oklahoma City managing apartment, retail and office buildings. Her first responsibilities included accounting for 30 commercial properties. Throughout her 25 year career, Heffernan has excelled in many facets of commercial real estate, from roles in accounting, leasing and property management. As National Marketing Director for Balcor, an American Express Company, Heffernan analyzed office buildings across the United States looking for value opportunities through best management practices and leasing programs.

After leaving Balcor, Sandra spent the next 15 years with Dutch real estate firm Wereldhave USA, Inc. where her passion for conservation met real-world application. It was at Wereldhave USA, Inc. that Heffernan played an integral role in developing the McKinney Green Building, one of the first privately held LEED Certified Core and Shell Platinum buildings in the United States.

Working extensively on the McKinney Green Building solidified Sandra's belief that building design, the construction process, and the daily operations of commercial buildings all carry environmental impacts. However, implementing green building practices and programs can significantly reduce or eliminate environmental impacts as well as improve operational practices.

Heffernan created Sustainable Partners, LLC to assist the commercial real estate industry in achieving business and environmental efficiencies. Sustainable Partners, LLC currently assists clients across the United States in achieving greater business and environmental efficiencies as well as LEED and Energy Star certification.

Sandra Heffernan is a member of the Texas Recycling Coalition, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the USGBC - North Texas Chapter.

Courtney Burns - Vice President of Business Development

Courtney Burns serves as Vice President of Business Development. Burns joins the Sustainable Partners team with over 15 years of experience in the commercial real estate and sales industries. Prior to joining Sustainable Partners, Burns served as VP and CFO of Thomas E. Burns Properties, Inc. where she focused on portfolio and property management as well as financial and investment decisions. Burns also previously served as National Account Manager with ADT Security Services and Sale Executive with United Homecraft, both based in Dallas, TX.

Courtney Burns
Vice President - Business Development
O 972-661-9872
courtneyburns@sustainable-partners.com

Chase Ezell, LEED Green Associate - Project Manager & Communications Director

Chase Ezell brings six years of diversified communications experience and a passion for sustainability to the Sustainable Partners team. He holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Mass Communications from Texas Tech University. An avid writer, Chase has worked on a wide range of communication projects spanning a variety of industries including energy, energy management and residential real estate. In his role as Communications Director, Chase manages both internal and external communication activities.