Who We Are
Global Zen Sustainability is a social venture company focused on strategic global sustainability, corporate social responsibility, social innovation, leadership development and change. We are committed to the vision of building global human competencies for the 21st century that help people, organizations and communities thrive and live in balance with themselves, each other and their environments.
Our story is an out-of-the box tale. We walk at many edges and work with a variety of clients in business and community to develop the ability to better manage, plan for and futurecast the many opportunities, dilemmas and paradoxes of sustainability.
We take a cross-functional, multi-dimensional approach to our sustainability work and leverage a variety of top-down, bottom-up, left-brained and right-brained approaches towards change and innovation.
To accomplish this, we organize our work into five areas:
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting
- Strategic Global Sustainability
- Permaculture Design
- Storytelling & Communication
- Social Innovation Research & Design
Overall, we take a coach-approach that helps our clients uncover, re-discover, and learn about the edges and blind spots that they walk by way of their relationship with people, the planet and view of profit. In doing so, we partner with our clients to create catalyzing relationships which enhance, empower and accelerate their goal of sustainability.
Global Zen Sustainability is affiliated with and officially represents The Natural Step Network in trainings and consulting throughout the USA. Global Zen Sustainability is also an Organizational Stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). We are also a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP).
Jeff Leinaweaver, Ph.D.
Jeff Leinaweaver, Ph.D.
Founder & Principal
Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver is founder and principal of Global Zen Sustainability. Jeff is a social entrepreneur, depth ecologist, organizational development professional, executive coach, writer/researcher, storyteller and all-purpose positive deviant who is passionate about helping people, communities and organizations achieve their highest potential and live their best life.
Jeff has worked with and advised a diverse line up of organizations, communities and leaders, including The Ocean Conservancy, Institute of Conservation Leadership, World Wildlife Fund, Amazon.com, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Folklife Programs & Cultural Studies and others.
Jeff is also a social researcher and fellow at Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, where he explores topics related to the knowledge management of sustainability, social change and storytelling. He is also on faculty at Capella University in the School of Business and Technology. Jeff is also certified in the Cognitive Edge approach to narrative systems research and organizational praxis. Jeff is passionate about helping his clients find new ways to make meaning of their own unique sustainability story.
Jeff has a PhD in human development and organizational systems and is a certified coach, organizational facilitator and global professional in human resources (GPHR). Jeff holds a certificate in Permaculture design, and is certified as a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporter. Jeff is also an associate of The Natural Step (TNS) Network.
Aside from Jeff’s professional credentials, he is a voice-over actor, creative artist and musician. He is an avid student of Eastern philosophies and Jungian psychology. He has been an active meditator for over 20 years, studying zen, the martial arts and other practices of mindfulness. He has worked and lived abroad in Europe, Asia and Latin America and traveled extensively to many other countries.
