(above) Diamond at a litter clean-up along a local road.
Kim Diamond Named October 2020 Sustainability Hero
Submitted by Kristy Ranieri
Sustainable Jersey, a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey, has named Kim Diamond, the founder and president of Sustainable Berkeley Heights, its October 2020 Sustainability Hero.
Diamond also serves as a member of the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission (BHEC) and the Berkeley Heights Mayor’s Recycling Task Force. Professionally, Diamond is a transactional lawyer who has worked in the finance and securitization groups at large international law firms and a global investment bank. She is a thought leader in renewable energy, smart cities and energy policy matters.
It was a drive by the iconic rows of wind turbines outside of Palm Springs that first inspired Diamond more than 30 years ago. Since seeing the futuristic turbines generating clean energy in the California desert that day, Diamond has helped shape the renewable energy future while making it her mission to advance sustainability in her community, county and world. As a sustainability leader, she motivates and educates those around her, recognizing that one of the best ways to address our environmental challenges is through local grassroots efforts.
“I want society to take a giant leap forward through sustainable measures and cutting-edge energy innovations,” Diamond said. “Everyone needs to know that we cannot treat the environment as an afterthought. If we can get people to envision what is possible and take steps forward to get there, then we can achieve behavioral change.”
Berkeley Heights Township has been continuously certified with Sustainable Jersey since 2009. In 2018, together with Julie Lloyd and Councilwoman Jeanne Kingsley, Diamond founded Sustainable Berkeley Heights which is an organization that works with local government entities, local businesses and other volunteer organizations to foster community collaboration, implement sustainable measures and transform the Township into a smart city for future generations.
About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey is a non-profit that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 81 percent or 456 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 353 school districts and 969 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program. For more information, visit SustainableJersey.com or SustainableJerseySchools.com
(above) Diamond with her Sustainable Berkeley Heights co-founders, Councilwoman Jeanne Kingsley and Julie Lloyd. They are pictured with Dr. Patrick Smith, who is presenting them with a donation from the Smith Chiropractic Foundation.
(above) Diamond and others at Lower Columbia Park who participated in a clean-up sponsored by Sustainable Berkeley Heights, the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission, Val’s Valiants, the Berkeley Heights Downtown Beautification Committee, and Girl Scout Troop 40822.
(above) Shoes collected from community members at a Sustainable Berkeley Heights shoe drive.
