An Interview with Detroit’s New Director of Sustainability
Jack Akinlosotu, Detroit’s new director of sustainability, sees sustainability opportunities in Detroit’s large geography, mobility industry focus, and other characteristics as he begins to immerse himself in the community. Akinlosuto came to Detroit from Washington, D.C., where held posts at the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the Clean Energy Institute, and in private industry. […]
Reconnecting Communities and Bringing Sustainable Infrastructure Opportunities to the Future
The conversion of I-375 into an urban boulevard is a profoundly meaningful project that will replace the divide that leveled the Black Bottom neighborhood and Paradise Valley entertainment district more than 60 years ago. Now, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is funneling $104,657,051 from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed last year to […]
MSU – Driving Future Sustainability Leaders into the Workforce and the World
With the tagline ‘A Better Tomorrow is Up to Us,’ Michigan State University is working to minimize its footprint while driving new generations of leaders and influencers in sustainability. As a pioneer land-grant university and Michigan’s first agricultural college, MSU works to be a change agent for communities to accelerate cross-sector climate response; serve […]
Dan Carmody, Eastern Market Partnership CEO, Talks About Building Opportunity, Economy and a Stronger Regional Food System
Dan Carmody, Eastern Market Partnership CEO since 2007, spoke with SBN Detroit on the market’s positioning towards sustainable practices. Carmody is responsible for shepherding the 127-year-old, public market to nourish a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit. EMP operates one of the largest public markets in the United States, oversees a program of capital investments to […]
How Does Meijer, One of the U.S.’s Largest Private Companies, Approach Sustainability?
SBN Detroit interviews Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability for Meijer, the Michigan-based retailer with more than 250 stores and 70,000 employees in six states throughout the Midwest. The company ranks 13th on Forbes’ 2021 Largest Private Companies list. Petrovskis leads environmental management across Meijer, including remediation, due diligence, and multimedia compliance programs, […]
Actionable Sustainability Initiatives for Businesses from Detroit’s First Director of Sustainability
Joel Howrani Heeres, Detroit’s former, first, sustainability director, shared his thoughts about tangible initiatives businesses can integrate to work toward a cleaner environment. In his role, Howrani Heeres provides strategic leadership, tactical guidance, and technical skills to drive triple bottom line (environment, equity, & economics) strategy and actions to help Detroiters improve their lives by […]
Our Next Energy is Decarbonizing the Starting With Detroit
SBN Detroit talked to Dr. Deeana Ahmed, VP of Strategy & Government Relations at Our Next Energy (ONE). Ahmed holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience and nutrition from Columbia University, an MSc and MPH in policy from Tufts University, and a BS from the University of Michigan. She is also a published researcher and policy analyst […]
The Wright – Committed to Preserving African American Culture – and the Environment
At their best, museums champion the exchange of ideas and the enrichment of intellect. As such, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History approaches sustainability within the context not only of preservation but also of education. The museum is at the forefront worldwide in its effort to make the work of sustainability visible […]
