As ISC’s Vice President of US Programs for the Institute for Sustainable Communities, Steve Nicholas leads the development and implementation of an array of programs designed to help cities and urban regions advance, accelerate and scale-up local solutions to the global challenges of climate disruption and sustainable development.  These programs include the Sustainable Communities Leadership Academy (a national peer-learning platform to transfer best practices in urban sustainability), the Partnership for Resilient Communities (building the capacity of community-based organizations to shape and lead urban resilience strategies and action) and Solar Market Pathways (accelerating solar markets by driving down costs and increasing affordability and accessibility to low- and moderate-income communities).

Prior to re-joining ISC in 2008, Steve was the director of the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment for eight years.  He co-authored Seattle’s first environmental action agenda and climate action plan, as well as the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Steve co-founded Sustainable Seattle in 1991, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable practices from the grassroots to the halls of government. He is the co-author of The Green City Guide, which chronicles the green city movement in North America.