Sarah King, senior vice president, sustainability, at Kilroy Realty Corp. (NYSE: KRC), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITwise: 2026 Educational Conference in Hollywood, Florida on March 24-26.
Kilroy was the recipient of Nareit’s 2026 Leader in the Light® Award for responsibility.
King explained how the company’s 2030 environmental and social goals are deeply integrated into its core business strategy. She emphasized that the most impactful work happens before goals are announced, and during internal alignment and planning. “A lot of the sort of interesting meaty work happens when you're developing your goals,” she noted, highlighting how this process builds accountability and connects sustainability directly to priorities like leasing.
Kilroy leverages certifications and a commitment to carbon-neutral operations to attract tenants, aligning with their sustainability ambitions. Green leases have also been a key success for the REIT, fostering collaboration rather than just risk management. King noted. “Sustainability is…an area where we're trying to invite collaboration,” encouraging shared responsibility between landlord and tenant.
As tenant expectations evolve, King pointed out that Kilroy faces new challenges like reconciling differing green lease standards. Meanwhile, internally, the company strengthens impact through employee engagement, transparent communication, and cross-regional collaboration—efforts that reinforce culture while supporting long-term business success.