Channing returned to academia after a carrier in the financial industry spanning third-party debt collections, owning and operation of a collection agency as well as personal and corporate financial planning and benefits. With a lifelong passion for sustainability, he pursued his undergraduate degree in sustainability with a focus on energy, materials, and technology. During his undergraduate degree he was instrumental in the remodeling of the Biomimicry Center where he helped to create Arizona State University's first multipurpose, multifunctional, sustainability built and biomimetically inspired classroom and events venue. He later graduated from the Biomimicry Master's program at Arizona State University and has also completed his Biomimicry Professional Certification through Biomimicry 3.8. He has traveled to and researched biomes throughout North, Central and South America and their adaptations to dynamic local and global pressures. Channing has taught biomimicry at speaking engagements, workshops, primary schools, and currently teaches the Practice of Biomimicry Thinking at ASU.
