Kris Callori

Founder's Statement

Architecture is a profession that carries a great deal of responsibility towards managing both human and ecological resources.

In 2000, I was called to embark on a business venture that would focus solely on sustainable design practices. As a practicing professional, I pursued the vision of a more sustainable world, and of course, was met with challenge. I discovered quickly that starting a firm based solely on passion would not be successful unless a framework was established to support its vision.

In 2002, I became the third LEED accredited professional in New Mexico. As a result of sharing the pillars of the LEED rating system, I was asked to guide a project through the process of certification. This school building on the Navajo Nation went on to become the first LEED certified building in the country for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the first for the Navajo Nation, and the first in New Mexico. Soon thereafter, I began to build a reputation for guiding complex projects through the challenges of energy efficient, environmentally appropriate design.

Being involved in so many firsts presented me with opportunities to share my experience. Highlights include several courses on sustainable design through the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning, a community workshop to facilitate the implementation of the New Mexico Governor’s Green Building Executive Order, a multi-state workshop for school districts sponsored by the Center for Green Schools, and a course for construction apprentices sponsored by the National Council of Construction Education and Research to name a few. Not long after, I became USGBC LEED Faculty and began to teach LEED curriculum locally, online, and around the country.

In following my passion to bridge the built environment with the natural world, I went on to study with Biomimicry 3.8, and became a member of the first cohort of Biomimicry Specialists (2011). In 2017, I attained my Masters of Biomimicry from Arizona State University. My approach to building a business, as well as advising my clients is deeply rooted in the patterns of nature. My desire to further link health outcomes with building design led me to gain the WELL AP credential (2015) and my appointment to the Urban Land Institute's Health Leadership Network (2017). I am also proud to have been named a Business First Women of Influence Honoree (2018) and recipient of the One Albuquerque Award (2024).

So what about Verdacity?

Verdacity was established in 2013 to affirm our role as one of the leading building sustainability consulting firms in the United States. Verdacity means several things. Verde (green in Spanish) + City. Veracity (truth) + Audacity (boldness). A bold statement affirming our authentic commitment to making greener places, and to honoring our part in the natural world.

In 2017, Verdacity was honored as Consultant of the Year by the New Mexico's American Institute of Architects; in 2019, we were presented with the Sustainable Design + Resiliency Award for achieving the largest LEED Campus certification in the United States to date. For consecutive years, Verdacity has been named one of New Mexico's Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work. More recently, we have expanded our services to include corporate sustainability planning with a focus on climate action. We believe that access to energy, clean air and fresh water is an unequivocal right for all species on earth. How we operate our buildings and our organizations can be a driver of change. One of my long-term visions for Verdacity was realized in 2023 when we became a Certified B Corporation.

We continue to be grateful to work with conscientious owner's representatives, architects, and building professionals to move our society towards a more sustainable future. It is the success of these relationships that makes our impact exponential.

Credentials

Education

New Mexico Licensed Architect 3470
Colorado Licensed Architect 306006
LEED Fellow
LEED Accredited Professional, BD+C, ID+C & O+M
Guiding Principles Compliance Fellow
WELL AP
Fitwel Ambassador
Green Globes Professional
Biomimicry Specialist

Master of Science in Biomimicry, Arizona State University, 2017
Bachelor of Architecture, The Catholic University of America 1994
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, The Catholic University of America 1993

Speaking Engagements

Biomimicry at the Biopark, Albuquerque NM, October 2025
The WELL Rating System Case Study: Alamogordo Middle School, virtual, July 2024.
Introduction to the WELL Rating System, Santa Fe NM, August 2023
LEED and Sustainability Requirements for State & Federal Projects, NM Public Procurement Association, Spring 2023
Leveraging Version 4.1 to Achieve LEED Platinum Certification in Schools, Greenbuild San Francisco, November 2022
Women in Green Panel Discussion Event, USGBC Mountain Region, August 2021
Biomimicry and Architecture, Marywood School of Architecture, Scranton PA, August 2020
Biomimicry: A Design Tool for Desert Environments, Santa Fe AIA, March 2020
Professional Practice, University of New Mexico, 2018 & 2019
The Built Environment’s Impact on Human Health, University of New Mexico, October 2019
Connecting People with Buildings for Optimal Health, 2019 IFMANM Spring Conference, May 2019
Occupant Wellness Workshop, USGBC Texas West Region, March 2019
Biomimicry & Biology, CNM Community College, Albuquerque NM, November 2018
How to Use LEEDv4 EQ7 Successfully for Better Daylight Design Outcomes, Greenbuild Chicago, November 2018
Biomimicry Walking Exploration for City of Albuquerque Planning, October 2018
Biomimicry & Engineering, ASHRAE Albuquerque Chapter, September 2018
Keynote, YAF Newly Licensed Architects Gala, Albuquerque NM, August 2018
The Green Building Movement, Albuquerque NM, July 2018
Integrative Process for Health Planning, Albuquerque NM, June 2018
Nature & Design, Teen Science Cafe at Explora, Albuquerque NM, June 2018
Advancing Institutional Energy Management, Green Schools Conference, May 2018
Biomimicry: A Tool for Informing Design in the Desert, Albuquerque NM, March 2018
An Insider’s Approach to LEEDv4, Albuquerque NM, October 2017
Using LEEDv4 to Advance Institutional Goals, Albuquerque NM, July 2017
Green Building Series - High School Teacher Training, Albuquerque NM July 2017
Biomimicry in the Bosque, Albuquerque NM, September 2016
Introduction to LEEDv4 Workshop, Albuquerque NM, July 2016 and October 2016
The Integrative Design Process, Albuquerque NM, March 2016
Biomimicry & Design, ACE Leadership High School, Albuquerque NM, January 2016
LEED version 4 Exam Prep, Albuquerque NM, January 2016
Biomimicry & Architecture, AIA Conference on Resiliency, Albuquerque NM, August 2015
An Introduction to LEED version 4, Albuquerque NM, June 2015
Biomimicry: A Walking Exploration, Living Future Unconference, April 2015
Biomimicry & Architecture, The University of New Mexico, November 2014
LEED GA & AP Exam Prep, Albuquerque NM, April 2014
Biomimicry: Nature Inspiring Design, Marywood School of Architecture, Scranton PA, March 2014
Exposed: Biomimicry and Design, The Herberger Institute at Arizona State University, March 2014
Urban Outcomes, The University of New Mexico, Spring 2014
Sustainability II, The University of New Mexico, Fall 2013
Biomimicry & Architecture, Santa Fe NM, October 2013
Technology Roundtable – Lean, BIM, LEED, AGC Superintendent Boot Camp, Albuquerque NM, October 2013
LEED: Who Needs It? Southwest Regional Conference, Denver CO, October 2013
LEED and Federal Contracting, Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Albuquerque NM, June 2013
LEED in 2013 – Changes are Coming! Society of Marketing Professionals, Albuquerque NM, April 2013
ID+C 301: Implementing the LEED ID+C Rating System, Greenbuild San Francisco CA, November 2012
Growing School District Partnerships, Bozeman MT, Phoenix AZ, Oakland CA, October 2012
LEED Building Design & Construction Exam Prep, Albuquerque NM, Spring 2012
Teaching Green Building Concepts in the Classroom, Albuquerque NM, April 2012
Green Advantage Certified Practitioner Training, Albuquerque NM, Spring 2012
Biomimicry & Architecture, Albuquerque NM, October 2011
LEED 205: Green Buildings and Preparing for the LEED Green Associate, Online Summer 2011
Technical Application of LEED for New Construction, Taos NM, Aug. 2011, Albuquerque NM, October 2011 & May 2012
BD+C 301: Implementing the LEED BD+C Rating Systems, Albuquerque NM April 2011
Introduction to LEED & Green Building for Civil Engineers, Albuquerque NM, February 2011
AGC of America Building to LEED, Alb. NM Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2012
Green Associate Exam Prep, Alb. NM Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2012
NCCER Your Role in the Green Environment, Albuquerque NM, Spring 2010, Spring 2012
LEED & NM Incentive Programs, Santa Fe NM, May 2009
Regenerative Design, Albuquerque NM, May 2009
Environmental Controls & LEED Certification, Albuquerque NM, April 2009
Introduction to Green Building for Realtors, Las Cruces NM, October 2007
Innovations & Practical Applications Using LEED, El Paso TX, April 2007
The Practical Application of LEED, Albuquerque NM, March 2007 & January 2008
Sustainable Approach for Mortgage Financing, Albuquerque NM, November 2006
Introduction to LEED, Albuquerque NM, November 2006
The Architect’s Role in Shaping a Sustainable Future, Albuquerque NM, October 2006
Sustainability Seminar for Architects, Vail CO, February 2006
Building a Business and Profiting from Sustainability, Vail CO, January 2006
LEED Case Studies and Lessons Learned for Engineers, Albuquerque NM, December 2005
LEED Lessons Learned, Albuquerque NM, November 2005
LEED Case Study: SSCAFCA, Santa Fe NM, November 2005
LEED & Construction Management in Indian Country, Phoenix AZ, May 2005
Whole Building Design & Process Overview, Farmington NM, October 2004
Introduction to LEED, Albuquerque NM, October 2004
What is Sustainable Design? Albuquerque NM, July 2004
LEED Rating System for Waste Reduction, Albuquerque NM, June 2004
The LEED Rating System, Albuquerque NM, October 2003
Introduction to LEED, Albuquerque NM, October 2003
Indoor Air Quality, Albuquerque NM, October 2003
The LEED Rating System and Relevant Projects, Albuquerque NM May, 2003
LEED Furniture, Albuquerque NM May, 2003
USGBC & LEED Overview for University Planning, Albuquerque NM, May 2003
USGBC & LEED Overview for Urban Design, Albuquerque NM, May 2003
LEED Requirements for Federally Funded Projects, Albuquerque NM, April 2003
Energy, Water Efficiency & Green Materials, Albuquerque NM, March 2003
Green Overview, Albuquerque NM, March 2003
Construction Waste; Maximizing the Recycling Market, Atlanta GA, February 2003
The Mechanics of a Construction Waste Recycling Plan, Albuquerque, February 2003
Green Materials & Construction Techniques, Albuquerque NM, November 2002
Residential Construction Waste Recycling, Albuquerque, September 2002
Green Building Practices for Tribal Housing Albuquerque NM, August 2002
Introduction to the LEED Rating System for City Planners, Albuquerque NM, July 2002
Commercial Construction Waste Recycling, Albuquerque NM, June 2002
What is Green, Green Alliance, Albuquerque, NM, May 2002
Introduction to the USGBC LEED Rating System, Albuquerque NM, April 2002
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Panel, Albuquerque NM, October 2001
Green Architecture, Albuquerque NM, September 2001, 2002 & 2003
Sustainable Village Development Projects in New Mexico, Santa Fe NM, March 2000