Cynthia Klein-Banai

Dr. Cynthia Klein-Banai is a dynamic change agent and collaborative leader. She founded the UIC Office of Sustainability twelve years ago. Her team provides institutional value in supporting sustainability planning, projects, and reporting, while enhancing UIC’s mission of student success, improving public health, and serving the communities of Chicago. The Office promotes the UIC Climate Commitments of Carbon Neutral, Zero Waste, Net Zero Water, and Biodiverse University. She has helped advanced sustainable infrastructure at UIC through energy efficiency, renewable energy, grounds, water and stormwater management, waste and recycling, and transportation initiatives. She developed the UIC Sustainability Internship Program that has provided over 200 students hands-on learning in solving sustainability problems. Dr. Klein-Banai has a Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS) from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She also holds an adjunct assistant professor appointment within the School of Public Health. She received her MS in Environmental Science from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and BA in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. When she’s not trying to save the world she practices yoga, raises hens, works in her garden, or visits with her three adult daughters and two grandsons.