Nicole DeNamur

LEED Green Associate, WELL AP and Faculty, Fitwel Ambassador, EcoDistricts AP, J.D., and AIA (Honorary)

2022 International WELL Building Institute, Educator of the Year

2023 Awardee, Puget Sound Business Journal, Outstanding Voices of Pride

She/Her/Hers

I am a sustainability leader who cares deeply about creating collaborative spaces and uniting diverse groups to drive meaningful, tangible change at scale.

I grew up in rural Wisconsin, near Aldo Leopold country, and had the unique opportunity to study biodiversity at BioSphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona. I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. Through these experiences, I gained a deep appreciation and reverence for our natural world.

I have been speaking, writing and working in the sustainability space for nearly a decade.  I am an Affiliate Instructor at the University of Washington, Department of Real Estate, where I teach the course I developed, Risk and Reward in Sustainable Development. I also developed and taught the Policy and Planning course (online), part of the Master’s Program in Design for Human Health at Boston Architectural College, and current teach the Environmental Health course, which gives students the opportunity to partner with a community organization, conduct some environmental testing of their site, and provide recommendations grounded in their research.

I am an award-winning contributing author, and subject matter expert on the intersection of buildings with human health and wellness. I was asked to share my experience as a WELL AP (view the webcast here) and I participated in the IWBI’s Task Force on COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Infections, along with more than 540 other experts from diverse fields. I currently serve on the International WELL Building Institute’s Health Equity advisory.

Before launching Sustainable Strategies, I practiced construction and insurance coverage law for more than a decade in the Seattle area.  While I no longer practice law, my background and experience informs the lens through which I view problems, assess risk and develop strategic plans. I know first-hand how buildings and projects succeed, and how they fail - and I apply this experience to set innovative projects up for success, from the beginning.

Through my work, I've developed deep connections to the sustainability community, both locally and nationally. In 2021, I was awarded Honorary Membership into the American Institute of Architects in Seattle, for my leadership on holistic sustainability, and legal stewardship of sustainable architecture and development in the Seattle community. In 2022, I was awarded Educator of the Year by the International WELL Building Institute, in part for creation of our engaging WELL AP Exam Prep. course! And, in 2023, I was honored as one of eleven outstanding LGBTQ business leaders, advocates and allies whose work has made a more inclusive business community and driven the Puget Sound region’s economy.  Profile and interview at this link.

Below is a representative list of my past speaking engagements, published work and leadership roles within the community: