Meet Kellie Falbo | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kellie Falbo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kellie, how do you think about risk?
We use collaboration as a basis for our work. We acknowledge that there is much to learn in the social impact space. We align ourselves with people who are willing to learn and organizations that are willing to teach. We connect with our community on relevant and timely issues that need to be addressed. We are a resilient organization that is not afraid to take risks and we possess a willingness to fail, understanding that the greatest failure is not trying at all. We’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The growing and evolving nature of sustainability reminds us that we can’t know everything, so we look to our partners for support and strategies. One of our strongest approaches to problem solving is leveraging our network to help build relationships with stakeholders who are closest to the issues we address. We use honestly and transparency to guide us in our efforts, remembering that progress takes time. We demonstrate leadership as change agents working on roots causes that urgently need to be addressed. We are persistent. We give credit where it is due, celebrate wins along the way and build momentum to keep people engaged.

What should our readers know about your business?
Bio: Kellie Falbo is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Living Association, and she has steered the award-winning organization since its inception in 2000. The Sustainable Living Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people and communities to make healthy, sustainable choices.

They have been on the leading edge of educating and promoting sustainable living practices for more than two decades, and Kellie’s leadership has guided this important mission towards adoption into mainstream culture.
In 2007, she received eTown’s E-chievement Award for “making a positive difference in her community and beyond.” In 2014, she was featured as a Northern Colorado Super Woman by Mind+Body Magazine. And in 2022 she was nominated for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award by the National Institute for Social Impact.

A recognized pillar of sustainability in the region, Kellie pioneered the beloved Sustainable Living Fair, putting Fort Collins on the map as a city focused on sustainable initiatives. She developed the Sustainability Leadership Program for businesses that focuses on leadership development and the triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic responsibility. She is currently leading an effort to reimagine the City of Fort Collins’ Sustainable Business Program to help organizations reduce their environmental impact, save money, and gain recognition for their achievements in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transportation, and social responsibility.

Kellie’s sphere of influence in the community is far-reaching and she is widely recognized for her energy and candor. During the last 22 years, her natural interests in creating a balanced world between human development, respect for the environment and social responsibility have become her professional journey.

Other: I started this organization before sustainability was a household word. It took a lot of outreach, education and networking to bring our community up to speed on what it means to live a more sustainable lifestyle and why it matters. Our flagship event for 16 years was the Sustainable Living Fair and it helped put Fort Collins on the map as a city who cares about the natural environment and the vitality of our community. It hasn’t always been easy but it has been rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband and I have lived in the Poudre Canyon for 22 years, home to the Cache la Poudre River, which is the only designated wild and scenic river in Colorado. We are avid boaters and we share this experience with our friends every chance we get. Afterwards we might swing up to the Mishawaka, an iconic restaurant and music venue just three miles up the road. My husband and I are both volunteer firefighters for the Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District and we helped save the Mish during the High Park fire in 2012. We like to show our friends the metal art monument that lives on the front of the venue to commemorate the valiant efforts of firefights to save this regional landmark.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to honor our dear friend John Long for his vision and relentless pursuit of “doing the right thing”. J Lo founded our beloved Sustainable Living Fair back in 2000 and brought me into the fold to help shape the future of the event and its long lasting impact on our community and beyond. John went on to develop a biodiesel company, the Zero Hero event waste organization and a CBD worker cooperative before he lost his battle with cancer. John is one of the great ones!

Website: www.sustainablelivingassociation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sla_noco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainablelivingassociation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/suslivingassoc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableLivingAssociation/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO7qfIa6mAtuDOaoRGR7o5A