City Sustainability Coordinator Kumar Jensen Named to 2018 GreenBiz ‘30 Under 30’ List

City of Evanston Sustainability Coordinator Kumar Jensen was named to the 2018 GreenBiz “30 under 30” class of emerging leaders who are shaping the next generation of sustainable business. The 30 inspiring young leaders under age 30 demonstrate the world-changing promise of sustainability in their everyday work.

GreenBiz Group and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development conducted a global search for emerging leaders across sectors. The honorees were nominated by readers from around the world. This year’s “30 under 30” are from eight countries on four continents. They belong to industries as varied as agriculture, construction, transportation, energy, health care, finance, retail, chemicals and entertainment. Jensen is the only honoree who works for a government organization.

“Kumar has distinguished himself as the leader of the City’s environmental sustainability initiatives,” said Mayor Stephen Hagerty. “When I attend international climate conferences, I’m proud to find that Evanston is on par with much larger cities. Kumar thinks globally and encourages Evanston community members to act locally.”

Jensen joined the City of Evanston in 2014 as the sustainability fellow for the Office of Sustainability and later served as the environmental project coordinator for the Public Works Agency. In his current role, he focuses on energy efficiency, environmental justice, water and waste reduction, renewable energy and climate action and resilience.

“These young men and women represent the future of sustainability inside companies and institutions,” said GreenBiz Group chairman and executive editor Joel Makower. A dozen of this year’s roster work for some of the world’s largest companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Gap, Proterra, Lockheed, NextEra, FedEx, CBS and YES Bank.

Jensen holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Earlham College and is a certified TreeKeeper and International Society of Sustainability Professionals Associate.

View the full “GreenBiz 30 Under 30” list at greenbiz.com/30under30.