Leading Through Change: Building Stronger Teams to Advance Healthy Green Schools
The 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit brought together facilities professionals from K–12 schools, higher education institutions, state agencies, sustainability organizations, industry partners, and facilities publications for four conversations focused on one of the most important factors in creating healthier, greener schools: strong leadership.
Across the four sessions, participants explored the realities facilities leaders are facing heading into the 2026–2027 school year, the role compassion plays in building strong custodial teams, practical management tools leaders can put into practice immediately, and the career pathways that are helping more women grow into leadership positions across custodial and facilities operations.
While each session approached leadership from a different perspective, several themes appeared throughout the Summit: listen to the people closest to the work, communicate clearly and consistently, build trust before asking people to change, invest in the growth of employees, and create workplaces where people feel cared for, valued, and respected.
Read the full recaps of each session:
- Session 1: Challenges, Opportunities, and Insights for the 2026-2027 School Year
- Session 2: Cared For, Valued, and Respected – How Compassion Transforms Custodial Teams
- Session 3: C D E F – Management Tools for Success
- Session 4: Women Leading Custodial Services – Pathways, Lessons, and Leadership in Action