For Event Planners

Nick Kittle is the CEO of Sustainovation, a dynamic thought leader in local government innovation, and the co-founder of Beyond The Smoke. He has worked with over 100 communities across the country and has spoken in front of 4,500 people. With 15 years of experience in local government and nearly 23 years of working with local governments, he has helped nearly 100 cities drive innovative governmental initiatives, including collaborations with organizations such as NASA, ICMA, and GFOA. As the author of "Sustainovation," Nick has received three national awards for innovation and is a sought-after keynote speaker.

Nick Kittle is a gifted speaker, thought leader, coach, facilitator, and best-selling author of “Sustainovation: Building Sustainable Innovation in Government, One Wildly Creative Idea at a Time.” He spent the last 15 years in government, most recently serving as a chief innovation officer.

During his government career, Nick directed 17 different divisions and founded one of the first government innovation offices in the country. A three-time national innovation award winner, Kittle has developed over 65 unique or first-of-their-kind pilot projects while directly generating $7.8 M in savings and pioneering the concept of Innovation Value.

Today, Nick is an inspirational keynote speaker, facilitator, and consultant. He trains across the country on adapting to change, building Sustainovation™, and developing High-Performance Government. From organizational training and strategic facilitation to leadership retreats and process improvement workshops, Nick has partnered with hundreds of organizations to bake innovation into their DNA and unlock their potential.

Nick Kittle is a pioneering leader in innovation, renowned for his transformative approaches to public service and organizational development. As the CEO of Sustainovation, Nick has devoted his career to fostering innovation in both governmental and organizational operations. He has worked with 100 cities across the United States. His collaborations with esteemed organizations such as NASA, ICMA, and GFOA have led to significant improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery.

With 15 years of experience in local government and nearly 23 years of working with local governments, Nick has demonstrated his ability to drive change and achieve results. He has implemented over 65 unique or first-of-their-kind pilot projects, turning wild ideas into successful initiatives. His efforts have saved millions of dollars, improved service delivery, and increased transparency in various organizations.

Nick's book, "Sustainovation," details his philosophy and strategies for sustainable innovation. As a sought-after keynote speaker, trainer, and coach, he has shared his insights with audiences of 4,500 people, inspiring public servants and private sector professionals alike. As the co-founder of Beyond The Smoke, Nick emphasizes experiential development to enhance employee effectiveness.

Nick Kittle is a visionary leader in innovation, recognized for his transformative approaches to public service and organizational development. As the CEO of Sustainovation, Nick has dedicated his career to fostering innovation in governmental and organizational operations, he has worked with 100 cities across the United States, and collaborating with prestigious organizations such as NASA, ICMA, and GFOA, to achieve groundbreaking advancements.

With 15 years of experience in local government and nearly 23 years of working with local governments, Nick's journey is marked by significant accomplishments that demonstrate his ability to drive change and achieve results. Throughout his career, he has implemented over 65 unique or first-of-their-kind pilot projects, showcasing his ability to turn wild ideas into successful initiatives. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars saved, improved service delivery, and increased transparency in various organizations. Through his work, Nick has shown that innovative strategies can lead to substantial improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

Nick's book, "Sustainovation," encapsulates his philosophy and strategies for driving sustainable innovation within organizations. Through his writing and speaking engagements, he inspires and equips public servants and private sector professionals alike with the tools they need to implement creative solutions to complex challenges.

As the co-founder of Beyond The Smoke, Nick has focused on experiential development rather than traditional training. This program emphasizes unique and engaging methods to enhance the skills and effectiveness of employees, promoting a more dynamic approach to professional growth.

Nick is a sought-after keynote speaker, having shared his insights and expertise with audiences of 4,500 people at various high-profile events. His ability to blend creativity with practicality has made him a prominent voice in the field of innovation, influencing the landscape of public service and private industry across the nation.

A key component of Nick's training repertoire is the "5 Tenets of High-Performance Government," which provides a framework for achieving excellence in service. These tenets are integral to his approach, offering practical and impactful strategies for driving high performance in operations.

Throughout his career, Nick has been recognized for his innovative contributions and his ability to develop solutions that are both creative and feasible. His work continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in organizational performance, setting new standards for excellence. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to making a positive impact, Nick Kittle is shaping the future of service and operations on a broader scale.

Nick Kittle is the author of the best-selling government innovation book “Sustainovation: Building Sustainable Innovation in Government, One Wildly Creative Idea at a Time,” and spent 15 years in local government, most recently as a Chief Innovation Officer. He has won three national innovation awards and founded one of the first five government innovation offices in the country.

During his government career, Nick directed 17 different divisions and developed over 65 unique or first-of-their-kind pilot projects while directly generating $7.8 M in savings and pioneering the concept of Innovation Value.

Nick now keynotes and trains across the country on building Sustainovation™ in government and he has worked with 100 cities across the United States to help them transform their mindset. Nick is a dynamic TEDx speaker (Life 2.0), national keynote, and government performance and innovation coach from Colorado, delivering a powerful message—and in his main time, he is a father, husband, photographer, BBQ champ, and avid disc golfer.

Nick is the author of the #1 best-selling innovation book Sustainovation and spent 15 years in local government, most recently as a Chief Innovation Officer. Nick won three national innovation awards and founded one of the first five local government innovation offices in the country. During his government career, Nick directed 17 different divisions and developed over 65 unique or first-of-its-kind pilot projects, while directly generating $7.8 M in savings and pioneering the concept of Innovation Value. Since launching in 2017, the principles of Sustainovation, and the lessons of Team Us, have inspired and empowered communities across the world.

Sustainovation is the technique we use to build sustainable innovation into government. Award-winning civic innovator, coach, and author Nick Kittle will explain the nature of innovation in government and how to sustain it--and more importantly, the powerful role that our teams play in making Sustainovation a reality for our organizations. Nick will explore how we get creative and build momentum behind our ideas--and get others on board too!

Nick founded innovation offices in a variety of political climates and geographies across the US and consulted with cities such as Kansas City, Austin, Scottsdale, and San Jose on government innovation. He has written and spoken extensively as a government thought leader and motivator, including pieces for the Harvard Government Innovators Network, Alliance for Innovation, Exago, and Governing Magazine, as well as podcasts with StrongTowns, National Research Center, and ELGL.

He’s implemented over 65 first-of-its-kind pilot projects while directly generating $7.8M in savings.

He founded one of the first government innovation offices in the country.

He pioneered the concept of Innovation Value.

He won three national awards for innovation

He’s written and spoken extensively for ICMA, National League of Cities, Harvard Government Innovators Network, Alliance for Innovation, Exago, Governing magazine, Government Technology magazine.

He’s the best-selling author of “Sustainovation” and has another book on the way.

He’s been a hit guest on podcasts with StrongTowns, National Research Center, Bang the Table, Polco, and Engaging Local Government Leaders.

In his main time, he is a father, husband, BBQ champ, and avid disc golfer.