Full Bio

Steve Bender

  • Founder & CEO, Newport Homes

  • Global Head of Strategic Partnerships & Revenue Growth, EarthX.org

  • CEO, Sea 2 Sky Solutions

  • Director-Western North America, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group

  • Charter President, Rotary club of Newport Beach

Sustainability Innovator | Environmental Advocate  | Global Humanitarian Leader

Steve Bender is a global leader in sustainable innovation, environmental advocacy, and humanitarian service, whose work spans green building, ocean restoration, climate action, and strategic partnerships on nearly every continent.

As Founder & CEO of Newport Homes, Steve pioneers eco-conscious housing and product innovation, integrating circular economy principles into every project — from building materials crafted from recycled food waste and other upcycled streams to large-scale community developments. His current work includes a net- positive, solar-powered, high-efficiency housing community for seniors and homeless veterans, featuring integrated community hydroponic and aquaponic areas that provide local food production, promote wellness, and strengthen community connections.

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Meet Steve Bender

In addition to his Newport Homes leadership, Steve serves as Global Head of Strategic Partnerships & Revenue Growth at EarthX.org, the world’s largest environmental conference. There, he forges alliances across corporate, nonprofit, governmental, and academic sectors to expand global impact, activate sponsorships, secure programmatic funding, and develop scalable models for year-round environmental engagement.

As CEO of Sea 2 Sky Solutions, Steve oversees international partnerships delivering sustainable innovation projects worldwide, including the ambitious “100 Projects in 100 Countries” initiative featured on CNN. His global work includes advocating for green technologies in post-war reconstruction – traveling to Ukraine to promote mine-clearance initiatives and founding Rebuild Ukraine Green.

Sustainability & Climate Action Leadership

  • Director, Environmental & Sustainability Rotary Action Group – Western North America (1700+ Rotary Clubs), leading Rotary’s largest environmental initiative.
  • Co-Founder, Global Climate Pledge, aiming to mobilize two billion people and organizations to commit to climate action. Founding Director, U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce; adviser for UCI’s Sustainability Leadership program.
  • Past Director, California Steel Framing Alliance, and member of the California Building Association, bringing green building expertise to industry leadership.
  • Consultant for the Green Buyers Broker Organization, enabling homeowners to adopt solar and green technologies through rebates and incentives.

Ocean & Planet Restoration

  • Founder of Rotary Reefs, deploying artificial reef systems across the Americas, earning 2nd place globally in Rotary’s “I Fix the Planet” competition.
  • Frequent consultant and speaker at international environmental summits, including EarthX (2022-2025), Oceans Week, and the 7 Seas Initiative.

Recognition & Influence

  • Honored by the United Nations Association, California State Assembly, City of Newport Beach, Rotary International, and the Daily Pilot’s Community Hall of Fame.
  • Keynote speaker on five continents, addressing topics from climate misinformation to promoting “Partnerships for the goals”

Advocacy & Ethical Leadership

  • Former President, Newport Bay Conservancy (formerly Newport Bay Naturalists), where he rebranded the organization and built youth environmental programs.
  • Successfully campaigned for the creation of the Laguna Beach Marine Reserve and spoke against reopening the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant.
  • Board service includes Orangewood PALS, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Vanguard University Ethics Board, and UCI Sustainability Advisory Council.

From upcycled building materials to reef restoration, from senior living communities with hydroponic food systems to global climate advocacy, Steve Bender blends innovation, leadership, and purpose. His mission is clear: build a resilient, equitable planet where sustainability and human well-being go hand in hand.

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