Evelina Bantauska, LEED Technical Development Engineering Fellow, Washington D.C.

This year, my BAFF professional journey brought me to Washington DC, where I am interning with the U.S. Green Building Council, an organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction, and operation.. I have the opportunity to work with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification development, focusing on the Energy and Atmosphere category.  One highlight has been contributing to the launch of LEED version 5. Soon, I’ll also volunteer at an international Green Building Conference in LosAngeles—an opportunity to learn about industry trends and connect with experts worldwide.

Living in Washington, DC, has been both exciting and eye-opening. At first glance, the city may not seem that impressive, but it takes time to discover its beauty. The city’s cultural diversity, green spaces, and rich history have made this experience unique. Along the way, I’ve built new friendships, gone to a baseball game, played Topgolf, I have done a lot of hiking, joined a Latvian folk dance concert to feel closer to home, and even discovered a passion for trail running (including a race in West Virginia!).

This journey has reminded me that growth takes time. The fast-paced environment has pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me to embrace risks, and reinforced the importance of resilience.
Experiencing American culture and diversity has been great. So far I have seen some of the East Coast places – NewYork City, New Jersey, Miami, Chicago, and a bit from Austin, TX and Colorado. In Colorado, I went skiing, which was an indescribable experience. In the upcoming months, I’m excited to explore the West Coast, continue learning from this experience, and build more connections in the sustainable building community.