what they call their work
what they do
- Student-led sustainability consulting projects Sustainability & Resource Management CertificationImplements seven-month, student-led sustainability projects that deliver over 350 hours of support to organizations, helping them solve sustainability challenges in areas such as resource management, climate resilience, and marketing for sustainability initiatives. Projects occur annually from October to April, with an optional December start.
- Sustainability program implementation in multiple countries Ownership Partnership Development ProgramsOperates sustainability programs in Arizona, Malawi, and Japan, delivering field-based project opportunities for students and direct support to local organizations.
- Waste diversion and event sustainability support Community Litter and Waste CleanupsOrganizes volunteer efforts and provides consulting to maximize waste diversion at events and improve sustainability communication with attendees, including support for Arcosanti and Green Living Magazine.
- Public advocacy and thought leadership in sustainabilityEngages in public education and advocacy through media appearances, podcasts, and articles on sustainability topics, including participation by staff in discussions on sustainability, health, wellness, and benefit corporation status.
- Alumni career development support Job Readiness Training and Placement SupportPrepares students for careers in sustainability, with 90% of alumni reporting that participation in GreenLight programs is their primary talking point in job interviews, and the program recognized as a career-starting opportunity for college students.
- Sustainability education and workforce training programs Sustainability & Resource Management CertificationOffers structured training through weekly e-learning modules, GreenLight Bootcamps, Sustainability Seminars, and a 10–15 workshop program to build student capacity in sustainability project management and workforce readiness.
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.
- Collaborative Solutions-Oriented Sustainability Development collaborative_sustainability_development unique to this orgThe organization uses a collaborative, persistent approach to grow individuals and environmental sustainability through long-term engagement. It implements practical sustainability solutions rather than focusing solely on advocacy, helping organizations solve sustainability challenges through a collaborative approach to real-world solutions.
- Education and Empowerment for Sustainability Leadership education_and_empowerment unique to this orgThe organization educates and empowers students to become sustainability leaders while simultaneously supporting businesses in adopting sustainable practices.
- Experiential Learning and Workforce Development experiential_learning unique to this orgThe organization provides career-starting sustainability opportunities for college students through applied, hands-on education, workforce training, and field-based projects. This approach builds practical skills and career readiness by matching real-world sustainability challenges with skilled students seeking practical experience.
- SDG-Aligned Capacity Building and Integration SDG-aligned_capacity_building unique to this orgThe organization advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals by training future sustainability professionals and supporting businesses in adopting environmentally sustainable practices. It uses the SDGs as a framework to benchmark success and connect local sustainability initiatives to global development efforts, aiming to shape the future through responsible technology use and sustainable development.
- Student-Community Partnership Model student-community_partnership_model unique to this orgThe organization matches real-world sustainability challenges with skilled students to co-develop solutions, providing experiential learning while addressing community needs.
- Student-Led Project Model with Mentorship student-led_project_model unique to this orgThe organization delivers strategic sustainability solutions for partner organizations through a rigorous student selection process and project-based learning model. Student project teams are supported with professional mentorship, training, and curriculum to ensure high-quality project outcomes and impactful, student-led sustainability projects.
- Three-Phase Organizational Sustainability Model three-phase_sustainability_model unique to this orgThe organization guides organizational sustainability initiatives using a three-phase approach: Learn, Strategize, and Implement. This model is supported by sustainability seminars to build a culture of sustainability and a subscription-based resource platform to help organizations strategize their efforts.
- Triple Bottom Line Framework triple_bottom_line unique to this orgThe organization applies a triple bottom line framework (People, Planet, Profit) to address climate challenges and promote intergenerational equity, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainability.
- Volunteer-Based Zero Waste Initiatives volunteer-based_learning unique to this orgThe organization engages students in zero waste efforts through hands-on volunteering at events, maximizing event waste diversion to reduce landfill waste via its "Green Team" volunteers.
the money
who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Weisman | Executive Director | 40 | $42K |
| Hannah Lazere | Program Contractor | 4 | $3K |
- Christine Cioffe — Board Member
- Keith Jones — Board Member
- Kena Fedorschak — Board Member
- Masrur Huq — Board Member
- Maximilian Christman — Board Member
- Maxwell Scott — Board Member
- Nathan Gassmann — Board Member
- Ryan Mores — Board Member
who they work with
- AZ Green Chamber of Commerce Partner — Board Member Ryan Johnson provided a testimonial.
- Arcosanti Partner — Partnered on sustainability improvements for resource yard management and public communication of sustainability goals.
- Arcosanti Partner — Partnered to manage their resource yard and communicate sustainability goals.
- B-Corp Partner — Chairman of the Board featured in B-Corp article discussing Benefit Corporation status.
- Colleges Partner — Partners with colleges to deliver GreenLight programs on campus or online to students across all majors.
- Green Living Magazine Partner — Hired a "Solutioneer" from GreenLight Solutions to assist with administrative tasks, digital marketing, and waste diversion efforts.
- Kimberly Minder Podcast Partner — Staff member featured on podcast discussing sustainability, health, and wellness.
- Orcutt Winslow Partner — Helped develop its sustainability initiative.
- Orcutt Winslow Partner — Partner organization that worked with GreenLight Solutions to develop a sustainability initiative while allowing staff to focus on other office priorities.
- Shape Up Us Partner — Executive Director Jyl Steinbeck provided a testimonial.
- Solar United Neighbors Partner — Collaborated to promote the Phoenix Solar Co-op through public outreach and marketing.
- Solar United Neighbors Partner — Partnered to promote the Phoenix Solar Co-op.
- Stardust Building Supplies Partner — Business Development Manager Chelsea Pickett provided a testimonial, noting GreenLight helps solve sustainability challenges.
- Stardust Building Supplies Partner — Received support from GreenLight Solutions to address sustainability challenges beyond internal capacity.
- Sustainable Career Pathways Partner — Featured in article highlighting student sustainability career opportunities.
- Tennis Legacy Fund Partner — Partner organization that has collaborated with GreenLight Solutions on sustainability initiatives including research, writing, and development of standards for sustainable facility design.
- TigerMountain Foundation Partner — CEO Darren Chapman provided a testimonial.
- Valley Metro Partner — Helped them understand climate change impacts on infrastructure.
- Valley Metro Partner — Worked with GreenLight Solutions to assess climate change impacts on infrastructure.
- WormLab Partner — Collaborated on development of communication materials including a pitch deck and product video.