New York Passive House (NYPH) announced yesterday that Carmel Pratt has been appointed as the organization’s Executive Director. Pratt brings more than 12 years of experience in the Passive House and high-performance building sectors to NYPH, and her background extends beyond architecture and building science to include work on affordable housing, community building, education, strategic development, and executive leadership. She has worked closely with practitioners, policymakers, and industry partners (including the Accelerator) to scale impact and foster collaboration across the building ecosystem, strongly suggesting that Pratt’s tenure as Executive Director will see significant coalition building.

“The Board selected Carmel for her deep alignment with NYPH’s mission, her proven leadership within the Passive House community, and her clear vision for the organization’s next phase of growth,” said Buck Moorhead, Chair of the NYPH Board of Directors.

Pratt succeeds Andreas M. Benzing, one of the Co-Founders of NYPH, who has been part of the organization's leadership team for the past 15 years and helped establish it as the leading Passive House trade organization in New York State and North America. During Benzing’s time at NYPH, he has played a central role in advancing Passive House adoption throughout New York, supporting professionals across design, construction, manufacturing, and development, and helping position Passive House as a cornerstone of the state's climate and building-performance goals.

“Since co-founding NYPH, Andreas has been instrumental in shaping the organization into a trusted voice for high-performance and Passive House practice,” Moorhead said. “His leadership helped grow NYPH into a strong professional community that has influenced policy, education, and best practices across the region. We are deeply grateful for his vision, dedication, and lasting impact.”

Reflecting on the transition, Andreas M. Benzing said, “Co-founding and leading NYPH has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life. What began as a small, committed group advocating for better buildings has grown into a powerful community shaping the future of the built environment in New York. I am proud of what we have built together and excited to see Carmel lead NYPH into its next phase with clarity, collaboration, and ambition.”