2026 HGSC Virtual Summer Summit Recap

Thank you to all who participated in the 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit. Over the course of our four summit sessions, we made new connections, shared challenges and insights, listened to presentations from leaders sharing their experiences and strategies for developing leadership skills in themselves and others, and hosted a riveting panel discussion with three incredible women leaders. Read the full recap.

The fourth and final session of the 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit brought together a panel of women leaders in custodial and facilities operations for a candid conversation about career pathways, leadership development, barriers, mentorship, and what it takes to grow into leadership in a field that has historically been male-dominated.

The third session of the 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit focused on practical management tools facilities leaders can use to strengthen teams, support professional growth, and lead more effectively. The session, CDEF – Management Tools for Success, was presented by Ada Baldwin, Director of Environmental Services at North Carolina State University.

The second session of the 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit, Cared For, Valued, & Respected – How Compassion Transforms Custodial Teams, explored how people-first leadership can make a measurable difference for custodial teams. The session opened with a presentation by Custodial Director at Rice University, Melissa Salinas, on how compassion shows up in day-to-day leadership, followed by an guided reflection and action-planning activity to help participants apply the ideas to their own teams and current challenges.

The 2026 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Virtual Summer Summit opened with a collaborative discussion focused on the challenges, opportunities, and insights facilities management professionals are carrying into the 2026–2027 school year. This session highlighted both the pressure and possibility of the year ahead. Facilities leaders are navigating tight budgets, evolving technology, staffing retention realities, sustainability goals, and rising expectations. At the same time, they are finding creative ways to strengthen their teams, advocate for their work, and continue the the journey toward creating healthier, greener schools.

Registration is now open for the 2026 HGSC Virtual Summer Summit! K-12 and higher education facilities professionals and current HGSC Program sponsors are invited to join us for “Leading Through Change: Building Stronger Teams to Advance Healthy Green Schools,” a 4-part virtual series every Tuesday and Thursday from July 14-23.