Meet LeeAnn Kittle | Sustainability Executive and Impact Leader

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

Hi LeeAnn, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success, to me, hinges on impact, which I see as encompassing three vital elements: laughter, legacy, and authenticity. It’s about finding a reason to laugh at least once a day, leaving a lasting legacy, and remaining true to oneself in a world that often pressures conformity. Authenticity is the cornerstone of my definition of success, offering both freedom and empowerment which can inspire others to live unapologetically.

I’ve shifted my perspective over time. While I once believed bigger impacts were paramount, I now see the beauty in the small gestures. A simple text from a colleague, choosing to recycle because of a thought of me, holds immense value. It’s these subtle acts that truly make a difference, often more than large visible projects. It’s the ripple effect of everyday change that moves the needle toward a sustainable future.

Making time for laughter and maintaining a youthful outlook on life are important markers of success for me. Life is too short not to find joy in the little things and to embrace spontaneity whenever possible. That’s why I love working with our young people. They remind me to stay young at heart and at times I find I learn more from them than the other way around.

Ultimately, success means leaving a positive mark on the world, however small, and making a difference in the lives of others. Have you laughed today?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In downtown Cleveland, Ohio, my journey unfolded at Cleveland State University. As a non-traditional student, my undergraduate years stretched across six years, intertwined with the demands of full-time employment. I thought I would be a heart surgeon, but my trajectory shifted unexpectedly during an environmental science course—a course I took on a whim, driven by my love for the great outdoors and growing up playing in the creek in my backyard.

It was during this course that I stumbled upon a pivotal moment that would alter the course of my life. Learning of a green roof project slated for my alma mater’s recreation center, only to be halted due to budgetary constraints, ignited a fire within me. In response, I co-founded the Student Environmental Movement (SEM), a platform for driving sustainability initiatives and environmental advocacy on campus.

Serving as president for two years, I delved into the realms of public speaking, community engagement, and student advocacy. Together, with the collective efforts of SEM, we rallied support and garnered a staggering quarter-million dollars to resurrect the green roof project. Witnessing its fruition not only solidified my commitment to environmental preservation but also reshaped my professional aspirations.

Additionally, my involvement in the Student Government Association (SGA) as a Science Senator further fueled my passion for public service, solidifying my resolve to effect positive change in my community and beyond.

This is where I learned about the  transformative power of perseverance, passion, and collective action. Each step forward serves as a testament to the unwavering belief in the possibility of change and the enduring pursuit of a better world.

In conjunction with SEM and SGA, I pitched a job to the university as an energy specialist and was hired to work with the facilities team on energy management. I then went on to start my own consulting business for green roofing. I was about two years too early to the market! There was legislation that was due to pass that would enact a fee for impervious surfaces making green roofing appealing to urban landowners. Still, the legislation didn’t pass the first go around but did later once I had already moved on from entrepreneurship and made my way back to education in Colorado!

I worked at Pikes Peak State College (formerly Pikes Peak Community College) as their first sustainability coordinator which was created and funded by the Student Government. I felt right at home having been on the other side of the coin as a student. So I knew exactly what they wanted, needed, and had worked so hard to advocate for. During this time, I realized in order to make the necessary generational change in order to combat climate change, I needed to work with our youth.

Following my tenure in the higher education sector, I transitioned to the Douglas County School District as a sustainability coordinator overseeing K-12 initiatives. Through strategic leadership and dedication, I elevated this role into a managerial position, culminating in the formation of a dedicated team of full-time employees. However, I eventually took a hiatus from my career to focus on motherhood, cherishing precious years spent nurturing our son.

Returning to the workforce, I embarked on my current role at Denver Public Schools with a deep sense of gratitude, recognizing the opportunity to continue making meaningful contributions to my community. Central to my mission is the empowerment of our youth, guiding them towards discovering their own avenues of impact, legacy, and authenticity.

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.

I would have a two-part trip. We would go to the mountains and enjoy whatever sports the season is offering (i.e. hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, etc.). Of course, we would have to see Breckenridge, Aspen, Estes Park, and maybe the train in Georgetown! We could also go down to Pikes Peak and the Garden of Gods depending on time. Every time I have visitors, Estes provides some amazing postcard view with elk or moose in the foreground.

The second part of the trip would be downtown Denver and a “foodie” tour of all the delicious spots like Kiki’s Red Tacos, Onefold, and City-o-City. We might go dancing at Ophelia’s in the hopes of catching a 90s-themed night, check out the graffiti in Rino, or first Friday’s art walk down Santa Fe! As I write this, I can’t help but love Denver even more. I also love going to Wash Park for a nice walk and finishing it with Homegrown Tap and Dough. We could also go to Meow Wolf for a totally unique experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

First and foremost, I think my family has been a huge influence in my life. Both of my parents started as social workers and giving back to our community was part of the ethos I was raised in. I also have three brothers who have shown me loyalty, protection, and grit ! They have all loved me unconditionally for exactly who I have been, who I am, and who I will become. Giving me the tools to live authentically and a desire to make great changes for the betterment of my community.

Additionally, I was recently recognized by Education Week as a Leader to Learn From. I am humbled by this honor within the education community.  The following is something I wrote on LinkedIn to pay tribute to those who have impacted my life and it feels appropriate for this question.

He will never know.

My tenth-grade science teacher, Mr. Hartman, passed away in recent years. The thing that hit me most about that is he will never know the profound impact he had on my life. I wasn’t the kid who could sit at a desk and excel in the classroom. I was the kid that needed the science lab and hands-on experience to learn and Mr. Hartman taught me that. He gave me the hardest lesson in my life and challenged me to be more than what I was showing up for. He told me I would do great things and I believed him.

I will let her know.

Julie Wolin if you read this article you’ll know that the professor who was so impassioned that it changed the trajectory of my life…was you. You fundamentally shifted my paradigm and ultimately sparked something in me that I had waited a long time to find. You showed me purpose and how I can channel that energy into impact. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I chose working in k-12 because I wanted to make an impact like the two above had on me and while I’m not a teacher I’m certainly working hard to provide the same opportunities to engage our youth in finding their path. Empowering them to make their own impact.

This honor from Education Week has hit the very core of me because education has molded me to be who I am. The educators that I’ve encountered have changed me and to be among those highlighted in this space truly touches me. Deeply.

(Reference Article: https://www.edweek.org/leaders/2024/this-leader-partners-with-students-to-build-a-more-sustainable-future-for-her-district)

Website: https://sustainability.dpsk12.org/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeannwestfallkittle/

Image Credits
All VP Harris photos were provided by the white house for our use