Lucia Athens is recognised internationally as an authority on sustainability. She is the author of The Sustainability Revolutionists: Heroes and Hope for Our Planet's Future, and Building an Emerald City: A Guide to Creating Green Building Policies and Programs. Lucia began her career in public service at the City of Austin as a key member of the development team for Austin Energy’s Green Building program in the early 1990s. From there, she spent ten years leading the City of Seattle's green building program, and the city was widely recognised as a trailblazing leader in sustainability during her tenure. She rejoined the City of Austin in 2010 as their Chief Sustainability Officer, where she served for twelve years guiding efforts to enhance Austin’s reputation as a leading green city. She continues her career writing, consulting and doing public speaking.