Mayor Indya Kincannon has appointed Metro Nashville Decarbonization Manager Vasu Primlani as Knoxville’s next Director of Sustainability. 

Primlani has more than three decades of experience in sustainability and has received countless awards for her environmental innovation, including the EPA’s Environmental Achievement Award.

"Vasu has an incredible track record in this field,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “Her experience and creative thinking will help Knoxville meet our goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.  

“I am also impressed with her focus on equity. We must adapt to climate change in a way that is just, equitable, and helps everyday people and small business owners save money too.”        

Outside of her current role with Metro Nashville, Primlani is a sustainability and diversity corporate trainer, comedian, professor, and an author.

“I am really looking forward to working with Mayor Kincannon and her team,” Primlani said. “I heard the Mayor speak at a conference last year, and I was impressed with what she had to say about sustainability efforts in Knoxville. I believe the best technology, funding, and collaboration are needed to achieve our environmental goals, and Knoxville seems to be well on its way with all three.” 

While Primlani will be tackling some serious issues, she says she will also bring a little levity to the office. As an established comedian, she says she loves to interact with everyone and maybe play a few practical jokes, “The ability to smile and to make other people laugh—that is really what makes life worth living.”

Primlani’s last day with Metro Nashville will be March 8.  She will begin her new role with Knoxville April 1, 2024.