Michael Shank, Ph.D., is Head of Communications for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in New York City, where he handles communications for Professor Jeffrey Sachs and SDSN’s work on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Michael’s recent positions include serving as Director of Media Strategy at Climate Nexus, Associate Director for Legislative Affairs at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and US Congressman Michael Honda’s Senior Policy Advisor and Communications Director. Michael’s Ph.D. from George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution is on Climate Conflict.
Michael is Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, where he teaches graduate courses on Sustainable Development, Power and Politics and Climate and Security. Shank is also Adjunct Faculty and a Board Member at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, where he teaches graduate courses on communications and conflict, and Senior Fellow at the JustJobs Network.
Michael is a former columnist for the Washington Post and US News & World Report and a regular contributor to USA Today, The Guardian, TIME Magazine, MSNBC, Fortune, and Fast Company.
Michael lives in the Hudson Highlands and serves on the City of Peekskill’s Conservation Advisory Council and the Board of Contributors for Journal News.