Janine Benyus

Janine Benyus is a biologist, innovation consultant, and author of six books, including her latest, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.  In Biomimicry, she names an emerging discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s designs and processes (e.g., solar cells that mimic leaves).   Since the book’s 1997 release, Janine has evolved the practice of biomimicry, consulting with sustainable businesses and conducting seminars about what we can learn from the genius that surrounds us.  Her favorite role is biologist-at-the-design-table, introducing innovators to organisms whose well-adapted designs have been tested over 3.8 billion years. In addition to co-authoring Nature’s 100 Best, Janine is creating AskNature.org, a public database of biological literature organized by design and engineering function.

In 1998, Janine co-founded an education and innovation practice called Biomimicry Guild with Dayna Baumeister.  Through workshops, research reports, biological consulting, and field excursions, the Guild helps innovators learn from and emulate natural models.  The goal is to create products, processes, and policies that create conditions conducive to life.