Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP 2026-27 ASHRAE President
Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP
2026-27 ASHRAE President
Presidential Initiative Challenge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP is ASHRAE’s President for the 2026-27 Society Year.
Maston previously served on the ASHRAE Board of Directors as president-elect, treasurer, vice president and director-at-large. Throughout her Society service, Maston has held numerous leadership and volunteer roles across ASHRAE’s membership, technical and communications initiatives. Prior to her term as President, Maston was chair of the Appointments Roadmap Committee, Members Council, Technology Council, and vice chair of the President-Elect Advisory Committee. Maston also served as chair of the Conferences and Exhibitions Committee, Planning Committee, Finance Committee, and Technical Committee 7.9, Building Commissioning. She was also a member of ASHRAE Standing Standards Project Committee 300, Commissioning. She currently serves as president of the ASHRAE/REHVA Committee, chair of the Charter Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE)/ASHRAE Liaison Subcommittee, and ASHRAE Representative to the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the International Code Council (ICC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Sarah encourages others to challenge the status quo. She has contributed to ASHRAE’s change efforts as a member of the Future of ASHRAE Conferences Ad Hoc, Effective Use of Volunteer Time Ad Hoc, Society Transformation Ad Hoc, Membership Model Ad Hoc, Society Streamlining Board Subcommittee, Board Composition & Leadership Structure Subcommittee and the Operational Streamlining Board Subcommittee.
Maston’s theme for the 2026-27 Society Year is “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience.”
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution or game plan for retrofitting buildings. Every building has its own constraints – mechanical systems, budgets and operational needs. Also, financial constraints, or utility infrastructure, plays a part in deciding the game plan or resilience strategy of a building. That’s why teamwork is absolutely essential.”
Her theme focuses on how the building industry can work together to improve the efficiency, performance and resilience of existing buildings in the face of growing climate and infrastructure challenges. She compares retrofitting buildings to developing a winning “game plan,” highlighting the importance of modern building codes, retro-commissioning and cross-functional collaboration among owners, operators, engineers, manufacturers, code officials and commissioning providers.
“We need to figure out how Team ASHRAE, with its wealth of knowledge and educational offerings, can help create a game plan to make existing buildings more efficient, healthy and resilient. This year we are going to focus on codes, technical guidance and building our team.” Sarah notes that it won’t always be easy, but encourages everyone to meet our building industry partners where they are- listen, collaborate, and try new approaches, to meet the challenges ahead, together.Bottom of Form
Professionally, Maston has more than 25 years of experience in mechanical/HVAC systems evaluation, troubleshooting, design, startup and commissioning for a variety of project types. She currently serves as the Geographic Discipline Leader for Commissioning & Energy Services in New England for Colliers Project Leaders. Maston is a Registered Mechanical Engineer (PE), Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP) and LEED Certified Professional, with facility experience in hospitals, laboratories, universities, schools and office space.
She is also a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin for its Commissioning Process for Delivering Quality Constructed Projects course and has contributed articles to leading industry publications, including a piece titled "Design and Construction Administration for the 21st Century" for Engineering Systems magazine. Sarah received ASHRAE’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and the Exceptional Service Award in 2024.
Maston graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a concentration in Energy Systems.
Presidential Presentation
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Presentation Abstract: “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience” highlights the critical role existing buildings play in creating a more sustainable and resilient future. Using the concepts of teamwork, strategy and execution, this theme explores how retrofitting, retro-commissioning and modern building practices can improve building performance, efficiency and resilience. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration among building owners, operators, engineers, code officials and commissioning providers, while advancing innovative workforce development strategies to prepare the next generation of HVAC&R professionals. By working together, the industry can transform existing buildings into high-performing assets that are better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.