Jane  Silberstein Author of Evaluating Organization Development
FEATURED AUTHOR

Jane Silberstein

Sustainable Community Development Consultant

Before coming to Bainbridge Graduate Institute as faculty in the Fall of 2007, Jane served as an Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin Extension in the Community, Natural Resources and Economic Development Department. She has also worked as a consultant to business and local economic development organizations building capacity, strengthening strategies and contributing to the overall sustainability of local communities. Jane served as associate planner in both Santa Barbara and Santa Cr

Biography

My two-pronged career track was launched while a grad student at the University of Minnesota. At that time, the U.S. was at war in Vietnam and the environmental movement was underway, considered by some a radical movement. The prominence of headline news associated with both realities captured the hearts and minds of many and forged efforts to understand and create an informed and needed societal course correction. It became crystal clear to me at that time that we could not survive as a society if we continued to operate as we have relying heavily on extracted natural resources to meet our needs while flaunting the laws of nature and unconsciously limiting the choices we leave for future generations. With an education in journalism and mass communications research theory and methodology, I was determined to use these research skills as well as knowledge of the media to address the global issues I found compelling.

My career started as a transportation planner in Santa Barbara CA where I joined a team developing what became an award-winning citywide bikeway system. I subsequently moved into the role as urban planner in Santa Barbara and then Santa Cruz CA where, in both communities, land use remains a permanent focus of debate and controversy.  Additionally, both communities were pioneering sustainable community development. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake in Santa Cruz in 1989, I was assigned to a major redevelopment effort; at that time, I came across Paul Hawken’s Ecology of Commerce which served as a major inspiration and portal to the field of sustainable community development. I subsequently moved into the arena of higher education (Northland College, University of Wisconsin) as faculty and administrator with a focus on sustainable community development, including sustainable business, most recently with Bainbridge Graduate Institute, which pioneered the Sustainable MBA and is in its 11th year.  My work as an author reflects a life-time interest in building sustainable communities (see publications).

Education

    BA Hamline University (St. Paul MN); MA University of Minnesota (Journalism and Mass Comm)

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

    Sustainable Community Development

Personal Interests

    flying (soaring) and all non-motorized activities outdoors; poetry; animal communication

Websites

Books

Featured Title
 Featured Title - Land Use Planning Sustainable Development 2e - 1st Edition book cover