Advisories help inform, expand and update the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™) and the creation of a people first places research agenda.

Are you ready to take your passion and expertise for human health and well-being to the next level—scaling your knowledge and experience for global impact? There has never been a better time to join an IWBI Advisory.

IWBI Advisories are a great way for specialists and subject matter experts from diverse backgrounds to help shape the global movement for people first places. 

Each advisory is managed by employees of the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) and convenes regularly to inform the growth and development of the WELL Building Standard.

IWBI Advisors are defined by their area of focus and guided by individual scopes of work:

• WELL Concept Advisories are focused on the development and ongoing implementation of WELL concepts. The ten WELL Concept Advisories – Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community – align with the ten WELL concepts introduced in WELL v2.

• The IWBI Research Advisory is focused on the development and regular updating of a research agenda, advising on emerging research trends, and identifying priorities to help inform the healthy building movement and evolution of WELL.

• WELL Sector & Initiative Advisories are focused on the development and ongoing implementation of WELL in relation to a specific sector (e.g., Airports, Hospitality, Education, etc.) or initiatives (e.g., Health Equity, Performance, Homes).

IWBI Advisories are for everyone—and their work impacts health and well-being at a global scale.

Because each Advisory corresponds to a specific area of focus, there are many ways for an individual to contribute their expertise without necessarily having advanced degrees in architecture, design or public health. What matters for an Advisor is their relevant expertise and their passion for collaborating with colleagues for a better world.

The term “subject matter expert” applies more broadly than you might think. Advisors consist of researchers and practitioners from across many fields and sectors—with backgrounds that include research, medicine and building performance, in addition to the “expected” industries: architecture, design and public health. Together, they are committed to putting the health and well-being of people at the center of building design and advancing people first places through policy and research agendas.

Advisors also collaborate on emerging strategies to help transform buildings, organizations and communities in ways that help all people thrive. Part of this process involves addressing the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations with strategies that support social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. That is to say, for some Advisories, a knowledge of the history and present impacts of ableism, for instance, can be at least as relevant as design experience. Ideal candidates have:

• 10+ years of experience related to the Advisory scope of work

• Experience with WELL, BREEAM, Green Star and/or LEED projects

• Ph.D. or equivalent (only applies to IWBI Research Advisory)

Different or additional preferred qualifications may apply to individual Advisories, so be sure to check the application for further information. All are welcome to apply!

That said, the Advisories do have two minimum qualifications:

• 5 years of demonstrable experience in a relevant field

• The ability to communicate in English, the language in which Advisory communication is conducted

Advisors collaborate on emerging industry and scientific research and exchange evidence-based strategies to help transform buildings, organizations and communities in ways that help all people thrive.

assess → apply → convene → make a difference

Learn more about each Advisory to determine which one is right for you—but don't just consider your expertise—think about your passions, career goals, and desired impact, too! Anyone can apply to join an IWBI Advisory, and some qualifications will strengthen your candidacy. Please note, Advisors volunteer their time.

Assess

When deciding whether to apply, consider the scope of Advisors’ responsibilities should you be accepted: 

• Address key challenges and produce recommended solutions for implementing WELL 
• Develop and help implement best practices and guidelines to enhance the global applicability of requirements to new space types, building sectors and priority regions
• Contribute to new and existing research and case studies that can inform the evolution of new WELL features or the modification of existing features
• Collaborate on cross-functional teams including researchers and supporting organizations
• Keep up to date on new technologies and/or systems for continuous monitoring or measurement and potential health applications
• Develop performance verification methods and reporting protocols
• Continue development or improvement of metrics around occupant health, well-being and buildings
• Recommend products or services for integration into WELL

Please note that Advisors do not:

• Exercise governance or decision-making authority over IWBI or WELL
• Vote on updates to WELL
• Author WELL feature language or documentation requirements
• Approve or have access to documentation submitted by project teams and organizations
• Develop materials for the WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP™) exam

Advisories typically include 15-25 Advisors and include a global representation of Advisors with a diversity of expertise. Most Advisors serve one-year terms, from January 1 - December 31, with the exception of research Advisors, who serve a two-year term. Advisors may serve consecutive terms but are required to reapply each term. Learn more about picking the right Advisory for you in “How do I apply to become an IWBI Advisor?”

Apply

The IWBI Advisory application period is open from September through November. The application form requires a brief biography and a summary of how your work aligns with the Advisory. Consult the form relevant to the Advisory you’re pursuing for additional application requirements.

Convene + Make a Difference

WELL Advisories convene on a quarterly basis. Conference calls are scheduled based on Advisor availability and time zone considerations. These calls typically last between 1-2 hours. Meeting agendas are shared in advance of each call. There may be one optional meeting that will convene in-person.

Additionally, Advisors may be called upon individually to provide feedback and have the opportunity to participate in smaller working groups on specific topics or areas of expertise as well as other Advisory calls (e.g., Concept, Research, Sector).

IWBI Advisors play a critical role in evolving WELL and shaping the industry through a vast web of expanded engagement, communications and publications.

The IWBI Advisories include renowned experts from academia, market research, industry, government agencies and the financial sector across nearly 40 countries. Advisory members identify and prioritize research needs to fill knowledge gaps and support leaders and organizations in their commitments to improve the health of employees, customers or society as a whole. They accelerate progress toward spaces and communities that improve health and well-being for all.

Our Advisors lead thoughtful conversations, inspire action and foster awareness through published articles and research papers, and participate in industry events. They leverage their knowledge and experience to help cultivate a world where all can thrive—and make meaningful connections in the process.

The IWBI Advisories are free to all! In fact, members volunteer their time and expertise to advance health and well-being for the global community.

There are no application fees or membership costs associated with the IWBI Advisories.

Benefits of being an advisor

In addition to collaborating with global thought leaders and impacting thousands of projects and millions of lives around the world, advisors receive special pricing for the WELL AP exam and WELL Faculty benefits.

Additionally, advisors are offered the opportunity to contribute to articles, blog posts and other educational offerings. Over the past years, advisors have collaborated with IWBI staff on research papers, white papers and design guidelines; presented together at international conferences and education sessions; and participated in numerous webcasts.

Volunteering your time as an IWBI Advisor is a great way to make a difference—so let’s talk getting involved!

How to apply

The IWBI Advisory application is open from September through November. While there are professional minimums and suggested credentials for who can become an IWBI Advisor, diversity of thought is a core component of our philosophy and we encourage all candidates who meet the minimum (5 years of demonstrable, relevant experience and the ability to communicate in English) to apply.

Before you apply, explore the scope of each advisory to find the one that best fits your experience:

• WELL Concept Advisories are focused on the development and ongoing implementation of WELL concepts. The ten WELL Concept Advisories – Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community – align with the ten WELL concepts introduced in WELL v2.
• The IWBI Research Advisory is focused on the development and regular updating of a research agenda, advising on emerging research trends, and identifying priorities to help inform the healthy building movement and evolution of WELL.
• WELL Sector & Initiative Advisories are focused on the development and ongoing implementation of WELL in relation to a specific sector (e.g., Airports, Hospitality, Education, etc.) or initiatives (e.g., Health Equity, Performance, Homes).
• The IWBI Investing for Health Advisory is focused on the development of the Investing for Health (IfH) Initiative and elevating the meaning of health, well-being and equity across organizations, communities and capital markets globally.

Be prepared to complete the following information on the application:

• Contact information: email, first name, last name
• About you: gender, race/ethnicity 
• Job title, company name and location
• Short biography 
• Resume and headshot (optional)
• Statement of interest: share why are you interested in joining this Advisory and how you have advanced people-first places (250 word limit)
• Application and selection process

WELL Advisory applications are reviewed by IWBI staff. Advisors are selected based on their subject matter expertise, experience with WELL and contributions to their respective fields. 

To further our goal of prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, we are committed to maintaining diverse Advisories and providing a seat at the table to a variety of voices. In our selection process, we seek to include a variety of perspectives and backgrounds to help inform the development of more equitable and responsive WELL products and offerings. 

In addition, the required and preferred Advisor qualifications outlined in each Advisory Scope of Purpose guide our Advisor selection process. Below are some examples of past Advisory Scopes of Purpose (note: these are updated every year):

• 2021 IWBI Health Equity Advisory 

• 2021 WELL Homes Advisory

• 2022 WELL Concept Advisories and WELL City Advisory

Advisory term length 

Most Advisors serve one-year terms, from January 1 - December 31. However, Research Advisors serve a two-year term, from January 1 - December 31. Advisors may serve consecutive terms but are required to reapply each term with a streamlined application process.

Ready to get started? Apply now!