Mark Lichtenstein is an executive leader, sustainability strategist, consensus builder and facilitator with experience across academic, nonprofit, public, and community sectors. His work focuses on bringing diverse people, institutions, and perspectives together to address complex environmental and societal challenges and advance resilient, regenerative, and inclusive communities.
Principal of Lichtenstein Consulting, an adjunct professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), a faculty associate with Syracuse University’s Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, and co-founder and senior strategic advisor for the New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management, Lichtenstein has held senior leadership positions at ESF and Syracuse University. His work spans the Caribbean, Latin America, island communities, and the United States, with expertise in sustainability, circular economy and sustainable materials management, climate action, environmental conflict resolution, clean energy, environmental finance, disaster response and recovery, and environmental and social justice.
A skilled network and capacity builder, Lichtenstein specializes in collaborative leadership, stakeholder engagement, interest-based negotiation, public participation, mediation, and process facilitation. His approach emphasizes cultural sensitivity, empowerment, relationship building, and the creation of effective cross-sector partnerships.
Lichtenstein holds a master’s degree in public administration and an advanced graduate certificate in conflict resolution from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, with additional graduate training in environmental science. He is a trained mediator, experienced facilitator and negotiator, and certified public participation specialist.
The Road to COP26 | "It was with resolve that I started to work on climate-related issues, although I didn’t know at the time I was focused on what was an emerging existential crisis." Keep reading
Executive Operating and Chief Sustainability Officer, Environmental Studies Adjunct Professor | SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
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