Jerry Tinianow is a distinguished sustainability leader with over four decades of experience driving innovative solutions in energy, climate action, environmental quality, and conservation. His career has spanned private for-profit, nonprofit, and municipal sectors, where he has consistently delivered results at local, national, and international levels. As a strategist, advocate, and practitioner, Jerry has led groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed communities and advanced sustainability goals globally.

Currently, Jerry is the proprietor of Western Urban Sustainability Advisors, LLC, a consultancy he founded in 2019. Through this platform, he assists local governments in enhancing sustainability and climate action programs while supporting businesses and advocacy groups striving for impactful environmental policies. Jerry’s consultancy services include strategic planning, program development and implementation, and policy advocacy, through which he shares his deep expertise and vision for a sustainable future.

Jerry’s leadership as Denver’s first Chief Sustainability Officer from 2012 to 2019 left an indelible mark on the city. Under his stewardship, Denver achieved its ambitious 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal two years ahead of schedule and secured city-wide LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, one of only five U.S. cities to attain this distinction at that time. His ability to integrate sustainability into the city’s core operations earned Denver national recognition and reinforced his reputation as a transformative urban strategist.

Prior to his work in Denver, Jerry directed the Center for Energy and Environment at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), where he led a team producing award-winning initiatives. These included the nation’s first regional food system assessment and plan, recognized with the 2010 Trailblazer Award from the National Association of Development Organizations, and programs to enhance energy efficiency, air quality, and watershed protection. His innovative approach helped position the 12-county Central Ohio region as a sustainability leader. Jerry was able to increase the 27-employee Center’s income by 75 percent in just eighteen months, despite taking over during a major recession.

Jerry’s tenure as Vice President and Ohio Executive Director of the National Audubon Society demonstrated his capacity for large-scale project management and fundraising. He spearheaded the largest capital campaign in Audubon’s history, resulting in the creation of the LEED-Gold-certified Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus, Ohio. This remarkable nature education center was developed in the heart of the city on a former brownfield. His efforts promoted climate change advocacy, wetland protection, and habitat conservation statewide. Audubon placed him on the small executive committee of senior officers that advised its national president.

A trained attorney, Jerry practiced commercial trial law for over 20 years, serving as a partner at two prestigious firms, Dinsmore & Shohl and Hahn Loeser & Parks. He represented businesses in many areas, including banking, insurance, real estate development, construction and engineering. His skill as a trial attorney won him admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum of attorneys who have won million-dollar-plus verdicts and settlements. Dinsmore & Shohl made him CEO of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dinsnet Technology, which provided document management services using proprietary software. His legal acumen and strategic thinking have informed his approach to negotiation, mediation, and policy advocacy, equipping him to navigate complex challenges in sustainability and governance.

Jerry’s thought leadership, while secondary to his work as a self-styled “sustainability mechanic,” has been demonstrated by a robust portfolio of academic and professional achievements. He holds a BA in International Affairs and a JD in Law from The George Washington University, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa honoree, Rhodes Scholar state finalist and member of the Law Review. His scholarly contributions include serving as Guest Editor for The Solutions Journal and publishing research on the economic and ecological impacts of global trade policies.

A sought-after speaker, Jerry has presented at conferences worldwide, sharing his insights on urban planning, energy policy, and sustainability innovation. His honors include being designated the Wirth Chair Sustainability Award winner by the University of Colorado and a national Environmental Hero by the Sierra Club, and multiple project awards for his groundbreaking initiatives.

Through his extensive board and advisory roles with organizations like ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, Mountain Towns 2030, the University of Colorado Business School and The Ohio State University Net Impact program, Jerry continues to shape global sustainability discourse. His strategic mindset, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to actionable outcomes define his legacy as a sustainability mechanic.

Character:
Jerry Tinianow’s unwavering commitment to sustainability is rooted in his integrity and drive to create meaningful, long-lasting solutions. His ability to inspire trust and collaboration reflects a character defined by dedication, resilience, and impact-driven leadership.

Knowledge:
With over 40 years of expertise spanning energy, environmental policy, and urban design, Jerry brings unparalleled insight into sustainable development. His deep understanding of complex systems enables him to craft innovative solutions that address the most pressing global challenges.

Strategic:
Jerry is a visionary leader who transforms ambitious goals into tangible outcomes, as demonstrated by Denver’s ahead-of-schedule greenhouse gas reduction achievement and award-winning sustainability projects. His ability to integrate forward-thinking strategies with practical implementation has consistently delivered transformative results across sectors.

Communication:
A skilled communicator, Jerry effectively bridges complex technical topics to engage diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration. Whether through public speaking, writing, or advisory roles, his clear, compelling communication ensures alignment and drives progress on sustainability initiatives.