Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver

Storyteller • Sustainability Strategist • Positive Deviant

Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver

Dr. Jeff Leinaweaver is a storyteller, eco-psychologist, teacher and change practitioner within the fields of strategic global sustainability, green leadership development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), organizational development and Permaculture design.

Jeff is the executive producer and host for Gaialogue Radio, which began broadcasting on the Transformation Talk Radio Network and through WBLQ Radio in Spring 2012.

As a practitioner of sustainability and strategic storytelling, Jeff helps others to tell stories that communicate, resonate and make better social worlds. He applies this through strategic advising, training and speaking within the worlds of strategic management, organizational development, dialogue & facilitation, corporate social responsibility and social Permaculture design. 

Jeff is founder and principal of Global Zen Sustainability, a strategic sustainability consultancy.

As a performing 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. He is popular as a keynote speaker and workshop leader who tells stories and engages audiences around themes of sustainability, the human condition, living myth and deep ecology.

Jeff is also engaged in a number of collaborative partnerships in sustainability: Jeff is an Associate with The Natural Step Network, an affiliate consultant for The Center for Ethical Leadership, and a GRI-certified trainer for the ISOS Group. Additionally, Jeff has been deeply involved with the Pachamama Alliance’s Awakening the Dreamer community leadership initiative.

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.

Jeff holds a PhD in Human Development and Organizational Systems with a focus on narrative, storytelling and intercultural communication.  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 an International Coach Federation certified executive coach and global professional in human resources (GPHR).

Jeff is a fellow at the Institute for Social Innovation and a fellow and board member at the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution.

Also a voice-over actor and vocalist, Jeff has lent his voice and talents to a wide variety of projects in all types of media: radio, corporate and documentary narration and video games.