2019 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Amanda Sutton, LEED AP BD+C

Amanda Sutton, Sustainability Manager at Denver International Airport (DEN), was new to aviation when the airport created a new position five years ago to find a way to integrate sustainability into how they do business as an airport and hired her. However, Sutton as no stranger to sustainability.

 “I was always fascinated by companies that were built and operated with sustainable values in mind and were incredibly successful. In school, and early in my career, people would tell me that sustainability was a philanthropic idea and not a sound business strategy but that didn’t match with what I was seeing. I have focused my career on showing that there is a better way to do business.”

During her tenure with DEN, Sutton has successfully built sustainability programs into many aspects of the airport’s business. Notably, Sutton’s innovative tactics have enabled her to work with DEN to propose its first net-zero energy building and first Envision certified roadway project.

Sutton achieves her success through her skilled approach to building meaningful relationships and effectively listening to concerns, addressing them with strategic planning and connecting people.

“I love bringing people together to solve problems. I always learn so much from my peers as we work together to find innovative solutions to create more sustainable outcomes. Working in a highly regulated environment is another thing I like about this industry because it adds unique challenges that provide more opportunities for innovation.”

Sutton has taken her skills outside of DEN as well, leading groups of national stakeholders to update the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to make it more applicable to the aviation industry, as well as speaking at an international conference in Singapore.