Kindy Kruller
About Kindy Kruller
CitizenPowered.org member since Thu 01-03-2008
Kindy currently works for the Local Economic and Employment Development [LEED] Council, where she took the position in October 2006 as the Associate Director of Environmental Initiatives. At the LEED Council, Kindy has worked on the CLEAN AIR COUNTS campaign, Sustainable Development business services and most recently the development of the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative. She has also developed a Business Recycling Guide, is working with LSNA & Ald. Flores on development of a Green PMD and is partnering with the Delta Institute on Green Building Consulting. Prior to working at the LEED Council, Kindy has worked in a variety of land use and development related positions, including: • Land Use Planner in a Zoning Practice at Foley & Lardner; • Land Preservation Assistant at Lake County Forest Preserve District; and • Developer's Assistant at Smithfield Properties. Kindy has completed the UIC-MUPP program and focused on Physical Planning in her coursework. She has had a long-standing interest in the Environment and Sustainability. Kindy volunteers at the Chicago Center for Green Technology and is working towards her LEED-AP through the USGBC. She is also a board member and Programs Committee Chair of Women in Planning & Development.
School(s) Attended
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, Chicago, IL
Master’s of Urban Planning and Policy, 2007
§ Specialization: Physical Planning
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, Kalamazoo, MI
Bachelors of Art in Communications, 1998
§ Minor: Business Management
Place(s) Worked
Professional Experience
Associate Director of Environmental Initiatives 2006 - Present
Local Economic and Employment Development [LEED] Council Chicago, IL
§ Founded Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative and lead team of community partners to explore, research and develop green collar jobs in the region
o Formed Initiative and brought together partners from eight different organizations
o Developed relationships with national Green Collar leaders from Apollo Alliance, Workforce Alliance, Green for All and Blue Green Alliance
o Planned and executed Green Collar Jobs Summit that was attended by over 150 people
o Wrote $75,000+ grants to fund the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative
§ Created “Green Industrial Corridor” concept with team of LEED Council staff, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and Alderman Flores; this is a demonstration project with Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Business Planning services, Green Building assistance and economic development tools for development of Green businesses
§ Green Building Consultant currently implementing LEED-ND and LEED-EB projects
§ Manage CLEAN AIR COUNTS demonstration corridor for Metropolitan Mayors’ Caucus
o Liaison to businesses to assist with implementation of pollution reduction strategies for voluntary air quality improvement program
o Conduct bi-monthly business forums on emission reduction strategies
o Develop relationships with community organizations to expand programming outreach
o Prepare and publish weekly news articles, quarterly progress reports and present at meetings and manage budget
§ Developed Sustainable Business consulting services to assist member businesses in their creation of a “Sustainable Business Plan”, including CH Robinson and Calumet Photo
§ Coordinate and manage staff on various projects and tasks, including: research funding sources, GIS projects, development of published business guides
§ Participate in on-going administrative activities, including: Infrastructure Taskforce Committee meetings, board meetings, staff meetings, annual fundraising, event planning
Land Use Planner 2005 - 2006
Foley & Lardner LLP/ Vedder Price Chicago, IL
§ First Land Use Planner to work in Land Use/Zoning Practice; developed and created position by working with Attorneys, Human Resources, and Administration
§ Assisted attorneys with zoning and other municipal approvals, including: project management, legal research, written analysis and client coordination
§ Oversaw and assisted in management of client cases, including: complete background research, prepare and coordinate necessary submittals, track projects through timelines and action plans, coordinate with related project consultants
§ Represented and attended public hearings, municipal meetings and development meetings on behalf of clients
§ Developed and maintained relationships with a variety of municipal staff, community representatives, industry professionals and related consultants
Land Preservation Assistant 2004 - 2005
Lake County Forest Preserve District Deerfield, IL
§ Researched potential land acquisitions, easements and intergovernmental agreements
§ Worked with attorneys, appraisers and other real estate professionals on completing land acquisitions, easements and intergovernmental agreements
§ Used ArcView 9.0 and 3.3 to create maps, analysis of land use and prepare presentations
§ Acted as a liaison between the Land Preservation office with other offices of the Lake County Forest Preserve and other county organizations
§ Assisted Director in research, correspondence and presentations for commissioner meetings and community interactions
§ Oversaw operations at Land Preservation Office including: computer and office equipment, bookkeeping, coordinating bi-monthly commissioner meetings, update staff of new land purchases and easements, general day-to-day operations
Personal Statement
I want to help individuals, businesses, community organizations and others incorportate sustainablity into all aspects of life.
Postings (Latest 25 entries)
| Type | Post | Author | Replies | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | LEED Council Earth Day Happy Hour | Kindy Kruller | 0 | 30 weeks 6 days ago |
| Blog entry | Sustainable-focused Blogger seeks captive audience to introduce myself | Kindy Kruller | 0 | 45 weeks 6 days ago |

