Dr. Aurora Sharrard is the inaugural Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh, overseeing cross-departmental strategy, activities, and partnerships across the University. Since joining Pitt in 2018, Sharrard has championed the adoption and implementation of the Pitt Sustainability Plan, led the creation of the 2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan and Pitt Climate Action Plan, and guided Pitt to two consecutive AASHE STARS Gold ratings in 2021 and 2024.
Prior to joining the University, Sharrard worked at Green Building Alliance (GBA) for 11 years, ultimately serving as Executive Director. In her role, she advanced innovation in the built environment by empowering people to create environmentally, economically, and socially vibrant places. During her tenure at GBA, Sharrard co-founded the Pittsburgh 2030 District and led key programs, including the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI), Product Innovation Grants, and DASH: Database for Analyzing Sustainable and High Performance Buildings.
A nationally recognized green building and sustainability expert, Sharrard has provided strategic and technical guidance to numerous regional projects, including Hazelwood Green, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, multiple Living Buildings, and dozens of Pitt buildings. She has also contributed her leadership and expertise to organizations such as the Higher Education Climate Consortium of Pittsburgh, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, Will Allen Foundation, and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.
Sharrard holds a Ph.D in civil and environmental engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tulane University. She is also LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction.
