Guest Profile
Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver
Jeff Leinaweaver, PhD
Storyteller Sustainability Strategist Positive Deviant
Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver is a storyteller, eco-psychologist, teacher and practitioner of story within the fields of strategic sustainability, green leadership development, corporate social responsibility CSR, and Permaculture design. Jeff is also the host for Gaialogue Radio, broadcast on the Transformation Talk Radio Network.
As a storyteller, Jeff shares in the telling of the old stories myths, folk tales and fairy tales from many different cultures around the world. As a mythsinger, Jeff tells stories in the tradition of Robert Bly, Danny Deardorff, Michael Meade and others where a drum or other instrument is often played as part of the storytelling. Jeff sees story as being alive; Story is a vital source of wisdom that teaches us what it means to be human while simultaneously transforming our relationship with ourselves and with the living, natural world. Jeff believes the old stories invite people to engage in the wildcrafting of their imagination as a way to confront the many quests and questions of their own heroic journey.
As a practitioner of sustainability and organizational narrative, Jeff works from an eco-psychological approach to help others to tell stories that communicate, resonate and make better social worlds. He applies this through teaching, training, and coaching in the worlds of strategic management, organizational development, corporate social responsibility CSR and Permaculture design. Jeff is also the founder and principal of Global Zen Sustainability, a strategic sustainability consultancy.
Jeff holds a PhD in Human Development and Organizational Systems with a focus on narrative and storytelling. Jeff also has a Permaculture Design Certification, with advanced training in teaching Permaculture. He is a certified trainer and sustainability reporter with the Global Reporting Initiative GRI. Jeff is also a certified executive coach and global professional in human resources GPHR.
Jeff is also engaged in a number of collaborative professional partnerships: Jeff is an Associate with The Natural Step USA, an affiliate consultant for The Center for Ethical Leadership, and a GRI-certified trainer for the ISOS Group.
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Jeff is a graduate faculty member in Capella University's MBA program and also on the graduate faculty in sustainability at Fielding Graduate University's organizational management program.
