Joel Makower

Joel Makower (born February 19, 1952) is an award-winning entrepreneur, writer, and strategist specializing in sustainable business practices. As chairman and co-founder of GreenBiz Group (now Trellis Group), he's spent over 30 years driving the sustainability conversation through media platforms, events like the annual GreenBiz Forum, and the State of Green Business report. A former nationally syndicated columnist, Makower has authored more than a dozen influential books including 'The New Grand Strategy' and 'Strategies for the Green Economy', establishing him as a key thought leader in corporate environmental responsibility. His career highlights include creating the US edition of 'The Green Consumer Guide' ahead of Earth Day 1990, being named 'The guru of green business practices' by Associated Press, and receiving the Hutchens Medal (2012) and International Society of Sustainability Professionals Hall of Fame induction (2014). He maintains an active role as speaker, board advisor, and media commentator through platforms like Marketplace radio.