Daniel Schoonmaker

Executive Director

An accomplished environmental educator and advocate, Daniel Schoonmaker has served as the Executive Director of West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum since 2013.  Launched two decades earlier as a forum for local professionals to collaboratively introduce their organizations to beyond-compliance sustainability (the “triple-bottom-line”), under his leadership it grew to become the preeminent regional program for sustainable business in the Midwest, later expanding to the five sister communities of the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.

With the support of its members, MiSBF today promotes business practices and public policy that advance climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy.  Schoonmaker has served as the principal investigator on initiatives to assess the value of municipal solid waste disposed of in the state, to define vulnerabilities of West Michigan businesses to climate change impacts, and to promote increased equity and inclusion in the sustainability field as an effort to create a more justice-centered approach to sustainable business, among many other programs and initiatives.  During his tenure, the Forums have hosted more than 350 educational or networking events for Michigan communities. 

Previously, Schoonmaker served as Director of Member Services for West Michigan Environmental Action Council. He has also held various communications and journalism positions, including public relations manager for a science and technology marketing firm, a staff writer for Grand Rapids Business Journal, and managing editor for Rapid Growth Media.

Schoonmaker is a graduate of Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he last served as the machine gun section leader in an infantry company deployed to Djibouti, Africa.

A candid image of Executive Director Daniel Schoonmaker.

Current MiSBF Projects

  • Michigan Municipal Solid Waste Valuation Study 2023
  • Western Michigan Sustainable Materials Management Coalition
  • Michigan Food System Waste Reduction Road Map
  • Circularity Forum
  • West Michigan GSI Taskforce
  • Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum
  • Repairing Legacy of Emergency Management Through Creation of a Circular Economy Hub in Benton Harbor, Mich.
  • Outreach and Engagement of Business Stakeholders and Potential Champions to Improve Environmental Conditions in Roosevelt Park Neighborhood

Boards and Committees

  • Michigan Community Service Commission - Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer
  • NextCycle Michigan Technical Advisory Group
  • Ionia County Solid Waste Planning Committee
  • Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Sustainability Working Group
  • National Recycling Coalition JEDI Council
  • RE-AMP Landfill Local Action Working Group - Chair
  • Empower Michigan
  • Green Business Engagement National Network

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • How Sustainable Business is Promoting Environmental Justice in Roosevelt Park Neighborhood, (Latino Community Coalition, 2022)
  • Building community capacity with philosophy: Toolbox dialogue and climate resilience (Ecology and Society, 2021)
  • My Story Started at GRCC: After seeing 'real world,' Daniel Schoonmaker is trying to make it a better place (GRCC, 2021)
  • The Growing Importance of Social Equity to Recycling & Sustainability Programs (Michigan Recycling Coalition Annual Conference, 2019)
  • Activating the Business Community to Fight Food Waste (Midwest Food Waste Summit, 2018)
  • Developing an Adaptation Toolkit for Businesses and Institutions in the West Michigan Region (GLISA, 2017)
  • Michigan Municipality Solid Waste Evaluation Study (WMSBF, 2016)

Certifications and Accreditations

  • Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Board Member Certification (2018, 2015)
  • Environmental Resources Management CE Program, GRI Certified Training (2014)
  • Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Professional Facilitator Training (2011)
  • U.S. Green Building Council, LEED Accredited Professional (2008)

Honors and Awards

  • NextCycle Michigan Showcase Judges Award - Community Collaboration (2022)
  • Office of Sustainability Practices at Grand Valley State University - Community Sustainability Champion Award (2017)
  • Grand Rapids Business Journal Newsmakers of the Year (2017)
  • Grand Rapids Business Journal Forty Business Leaders Under 40 (2016)
  • Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Grand Rapids - Exemplary Executive Award Finalist (2016)
  • U.S. Navy Achievement Medal (2003)
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