FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Chicago, IL, May 21, 2019)

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) announces that its founder and long-time visionary leader, Scott Bernstein, is stepping down from the organization effective September 30, 2019.

“Scott has had tremendous influence in making cities more equitable and more sustainable,” said CNT Board Chair Robert Henderson. “From his innovative ideas for handling water, energy, transportation, and other critical urban systems, to his collaboration with CNT staff in pioneering data analysis of underlying environmental and economic patterns in order to find sustainable solutions – in these and many other ways Scott has helped change the way cities function today, for all of us. Like so many others on the CNT board and staff, I am grateful for his extraordinary contributions.”

“I continue to believe in the importance of pursuing environmental sustainability and urban equity simultaneously, and I look forward to continuing work in this area with local and national partners, including CNT,” said Bernstein. “I am proud of CNT’s accomplishments over the years, and grateful to the many people – staff, board, funders and partners – who helped make them happen. I am pleased to be leaving CNT in a solid position, with strong leadership and a talented and committed staff and board engaged in this important work.”

With fellow urban visionary Stan Hallett, Bernstein co-founded CNT in 1978 to advance environmental sustainability and social equity, a mission that the organization continues to this day. Under Bernstein’s leadership, CNT has influenced national policy debates and local initiatives through pioneering work in fields as diverse as energy efficiency, transit-oriented development, carsharing, climate protection, infrastructure alternatives, urban flooding and poverty reduction. CNT’s influence on the nonprofit landscape in Chicago and nationally has also been enormous: several thriving nonprofits including Elevate Energy, the Shared Use Mobility Center, and Faith in Place had their roots at CNT.

“The name Neighborhood Technology reflects the belief of Stan and Scott that local equitable solutions are the most effective path to systemic changes. CNT’s years of successful innovation shows they were right,” said CNT Board Member Anne Hallett.

“Scott has made enormous contributions to making cities better and more sustainable places to live,” said Adele Simmons, President of Global Philanthropy Partnership. “I’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to work with Scott over several decades. His vision and innovation have made cities better.”

CNT’s CEO Bob Dean is committed to leading the nonprofit in continuing the kind of innovative work that Bernstein pioneered. “It’s extraordinarily energizing to lead an organization that has such a reputation for innovation and impact,” Dean said. “I’d like to thank Scott for everything that he has given to CNT over the last 40 years, which has positioned us for continued success over the next 40. We look forward to partnering with Scott on other opportunities in the years ahead.”

CNT’s 40^th Anniversary event on September 26 will also celebrate Bernstein’s accomplishments and contributions to the field of urban sustainability, in addition to showcasing CNT’s plans for 40 more years of impact. More information about the event and sponsorship opportunities is available at https://www.cnt.org/40th-anniversary

For information, contact Paul Cusimano, Managing Director of Development, pcusimano@cnt.org, 773.269.4029.  Download this release here.