John Leigh
About John Leigh
John Leigh serves as the Pacific Northwest Division Director for Sustainability & Energy at CommonSpirit Health. He has extensive experience in sustainability roles across various organizations, including the Peace Corps and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Work at CommonSpirit Health
John Leigh serves as the Pacific Northwest Division Director for Sustainability & Energy at CommonSpirit Health. He has held this position since 2022. In this role, he focuses on implementing sustainable practices and energy efficiency initiatives within the healthcare sector, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare operations in the Pacific Northwest.
Previous Experience in Sustainability
Prior to his current role, John Leigh was the Director of Sustainability at Virginia Mason Medical Center from 2017 to 2022. He managed sustainability initiatives and energy conservation projects, contributing to the organization's environmental goals. His extensive experience also includes positions at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, where he served as Manager of Waste & Recycling Programs and later as Sr. Sustainability Advisor.
Experience with the US Environmental Protection Agency
John Leigh worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in various capacities from 1990 to 2000. He served as a Communications and Outreach Specialist from 1990 to 1995, followed by a role as a Recycling Market Development Specialist until 2000. His work focused on promoting recycling initiatives and developing markets for recycled materials.
Education and Expertise
John Leigh earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Economy from Colorado College, where he studied from 1980 to 1985. His educational background provides a foundation for his expertise in sustainability and environmental policy, which he has applied throughout his career in various roles.
Early Career and International Experience
John Leigh began his career with the Peace Corps, serving as an Appropriate Technology Trainer and Stove Builder in Parakou, Republic of Benin from 1986 to 1989. This experience contributed to his understanding of sustainable practices and community engagement in developing regions.