Andrew Kleiner
Allentown
Summary
Dynamic sustainability leader with 12+ years of experience spanning community science, redevelopment, and applied environmental policy. Proven record of securing multimillion-dollar grants, managing interdisciplinary teams, and delivering measurable community-based outcomes in climate resilience, waste management, and biodiversity. Skilled in higher education settings, coalition-building, and advancing inclusive sustainability initiatives that link science to action.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Community Science
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
03.2023 - Current
- Lead the Science Shop, an award-winning participatory research model advancing environmental justice and climate resilience (managing ~$750k active grants).
- Oversaw operational budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources across departments.
- PI for Marine Debris Coalition; Co-PI on NOAA Sea Grant award ($300k, 2024) focused on plastic pollution in the Delaware Estuary.
- Project Manager on the Breathe Right air quality monitoring in West Philadelphia;
- Organize and execute the rEConnect regional sustainability networking series featuring annual events with 150-300 person attendance.
- Manage staff, procurement, contracts, and compliance; serve as principal grantwriter for the Community Science portfolio.
- Represent ANS in local, regional, and national networks, presenting at symposia and conferences (BEES Research Day, AAPS/CAPS, Cape May Symposium).
- Implemented new technologies to improve research methodologies and data analysis processes.
- Fostered partnerships with local organizations to expand outreach and collaborative projects.
Director of Community Outreach & Redevelopment
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC)
02.2013 - 03.2023
- Directed Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Initiative, recognized as a best practice for brownfield redevelopment.
- Secured and managed multimillion-dollar grants: EPA Supplemental RLF ($375k, 2020), EPA Hazardous Assessment ($500k, 2015), EPA Supplemental RLF ($400k, 2015), and PA DEP Growing Greener ($468k, 2013).
- Oversaw more than 40 site assessments and redevelopment projects across 62 municipalities; convened public-private partnerships with developers, nonprofits, and state/federal agencies.
- Developed and implemented community outreach programs to enhance local economic development.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to foster collaboration and resource sharing.
- Chaired, organized, and manged the Entrepreneurship Council of the Lehigh Valley focused on innovation, start-up collaboration, and makerspace development.
- Organized high-profile conferences, symposia, and tours including “From Brownfields to Business” and EPA grant writing workshops.
- Delivered invited talks at state and national conferences (National Brownfields Conference, PA Brownfields Conference, Bucknell University), elevating LVEDC as a national model.
Education
M.S. - Environmental Science & Policy (Conservation Biology)
Johns Hopkins University
01.2022
Certificate - Project Management
Muhlenberg College
01.2019
B.S. - Environmental Science
Muhlenberg College
01.2012
Skills
- Strategic sustainability leadership
- Grant writing & external funding (federal, state, corporate, foundation)
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Applied research in climate resilience, waste management, and biodiversity
- Program development and higher education administration
- Coalition building & external partnerships across government, nonprofits, and private sector
- Public speaking, facilitation, and communications for diverse audiences
Accomplishments
- Selected twice to present at the National Brownfields Conference (2015, 2019), one of only a handful of programs worldwide invited.
- Directed a redevelopment initiative recognized as a statewide best practice by the Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference (2020).
- Secured more than $2 million in federal and state funding (EPA, DEP, NOAA), including a $300k NOAA Sea Grant award (2024) to address microplastic pollution.
- Co-founded and led innovative coalitions including the Philadelphia Microplastics Action Coalition (PMAC) and rECOnnect, a regional sustainability networking series.
- Served as co-lead for the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge, engaging thousands of community members in biodiversity monitoring and education.
- Delivered 15+ invited talks, panels, and symposia at universities and professional conferences, including Bucknell University, PAEP, and Leadership Lehigh Valley.
- Held leadership and board roles in Slate Belt Rising, Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, and the Allentown Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Council, advancing sustainability at the civic level.
Affiliations
- Board Member, Slate Belt Rising (2015–2023).
- Board Member, Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce (2015–2018).
- City Nature Challenge Philadelphia — Organizing Team (2023–present).
Publications
- “Science Shop: A model for participatory methods in scientific research,” BEES Research Day, Drexel University (2024).
- “Science Shop: Community-Based Participatory Research on Environmental Justice & Climate Resilience,” AAPS/CAPS (2024).
- “Philadelphia Microplastic Action Coalition,” Cape May Point Science Center Symposium (2025).
- “Redeveloping the Lehigh Valley,” PA Brownfields Conference (2020).
- “Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Initiative,” National Brownfields Conference (2019).
- “Redevelopment Success & Strategy: Lehigh Valley, PA,” Bucknell CSE (2019).
Awards
- Outstanding Capstone Thesis, Johns Hopkins University, 2022
- Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Initiative (LVLRI) recognized as a Pennsylvania Best Practice at the PA Brownfields Conference (2020)
- Wescoe School Community Service Scholarship, Muhlenberg College
- Office of the Provost Summer Research Grant, Muhlenberg College
Timeline
Director of Community Science
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
03.2023 - Current
Director of Community Outreach & Redevelopment
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC)
02.2013 - 03.2023
Certificate - Project Management
Muhlenberg College
B.S. - Environmental Science
Muhlenberg College
M.S. - Environmental Science & Policy (Conservation Biology)
Johns Hopkins University