Topic: board

Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico, Joins WRI Board of Directors

Michael Oko — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:42:44 -0400

The World Resources Institute announced that Felipe Calderón, the former President of Mexico, has joined its Board of Directors.

“President Calderón is a globally recognized world leader, who has shown enormous dedication in responding to environmental, energy and climate challenges,” said Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute. “He brings a deep understanding of the issues and has the ability to mobilize greater global action for a more sustainable planet. We look forward to working with President Calderón to push for the urgent solutions around sustainability that we so desperately need.”

Calderón served as President of Mexico from 2006 to 2012, during which time he made sustainability a core value across all of government. One example was the priority given to the generation of electricity from renewable sources, which rose to 27 percent of the total generated. In addition he put in place a set of energy-saving programs such as appliance substitutions and the biggest energy-saving bulb exchange program in the world.

Furthermore, he more than doubled the volume of wastewater treated in Mexico.

“We are living in a critical time, with immense environmental and development challenges before us,” Calderón said. “WRI, with its global reputation for excellence in research and impact, is playing an essential role in finding solutions. I am delighted to be working with WRI to create a more sustainable world for all.”

Thanks to an innovative program of paying for environmental services to mainly indigenous communities, the rate of deforestation in Mexico fell by more than half while at the same time helping some of the poorest communities in the country.

Calderón also played a vital leadership role in the success of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Cancún, which led to the Cancún Accord that changed the conversation and laid the groundwork for real agreements. For the first time ever developing countries committed to real emissions targets.

“I am delighted to welcome President Calderón to our board,” said Jim Harmon, Chairman of WRI’s Board of Directors. “President Calderón is a highly respected and influential figure on the international stage. His leadership can help guide WRI’s global strategy as we deepen our engagement in emerging markets and the new frontiers of sustainability. We are excited to leverage President Calderón’s political experience and global access to advance our mission.”

Calderón previously served as Secretary of Energy from 2003 to 2004, during the administration of President Vicente Fox.

Calderón is currently the inaugural Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

A complete list of WRI’s current board members is available here.

RELEASE: WRI Welcomes Andrew Steer as New President

Michael Oko — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:50:35 -0400

Today, WRI welcomes its new president Dr. Andrew Steer. Steer is a visionary and dynamic leader who brings a wealth of international experience to the Institute. He becomes just the third president in WRI’s 30-year history.

On taking the helm of WRI, Steer said: “Never has it been more important to understand the links between resources – water, soil, atmosphere, climate, biodiversity, energy, minerals – and human activity. And never has it been more imperative that economic decisions fully reflect the true value of these resources. It is only by so doing that we will succeed in eliminating poverty and enhancing lives and livelihoods permanently.”

Most recently, Steer was the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the World Bank, where he helped guide the Bank’s climate change activities in over 130 countries. He also served on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s High Level Group on Sustainable Energy for All and on the B20 Board on Green Growth (the private sector wing of the G20).

Former World Bank President Robert Zoellick said, Steer “brings deep technical, policy, and political experience in the field of sustainable development.”

Steer joins WRI at a time of rapid growth for the organization. Over the past several years, WRI has expanded its global reach and is now working in 50 countries, including China, India, and Brazil. Since 2008, WRI’s staff has grown from 160 to 225 people and its operations have expanded from $26 million to $45 million.

James A. Harmon, WRI’s Chairman of the Board, said, “Andrew is a dynamic and gifted leader, with a deep knowledge of sustainability issues and on-the-ground experience in the world’s most rapidly developing economies. As these issues become more urgent, Andrew is ideally suited to lead WRI in achieving its mission.”

Steer is a energetic leader, who brings with experience working in Indonesia, Vietnam and other countries. From 2007 to 2010, he was Director General for Policy and Research at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Steer has a PhD in Economics, and has taught and lectured at several universities.

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Read Andrew Steer’s welcome message.

Watch a video of Steer talking about sustainability and his vision for WRI.

RELEASE: WRI Announces Three New Board Members Representing Business, Academia, and Government

Michael Oko — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:21:42 -0400

WRI elects Daniel Cruise, Jonathan Lash and Dr. Jaime Lerner

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has elected three innovative leaders to join its board of directors: Daniel Cruise, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs of Alcoa Inc.; Jonathan Lash, former President of WRI and recently-elected President of Hampshire College; and Dr. Jaime Lerner, an architect, urban planner, former Mayor of Curitiba, and former Governor of Parana State, Brazil.

“We are honored to welcome Daniel, Jonathan, and Jaime to our board as our organization works to address critical environmental and sustainability issues,” said WRI Interim President Manish Bapna. “For Jonathan, this is an ideal way for him to stay engaged and provide guidance, as we build upon the foundation that he helped to create. Daniel and Jaime bring unique and valuable experiences in business and the public sector, from both domestic and international perspectives, which will help us to be successful in meeting today’s pressing environmental challenges.”

Daniel Cruise is Vice President of Public and Government Affairs at Alcoa and a member of the firm’s Executive Council, the senior leadership team that sets the strategic direction for the company. Cruise has extensive experience in foreign policy, public service and business, as well as a dedication to philanthropic work.

“I am honored to join the board of WRI—an organization that has made a tremendous impact to advance business sustainability,” said Cruise. “After working in both the public and private sectors, I understand the values that an organization like WRI brings in advancing innovative, yet practical, approaches to many of the world’s biggest challenges.”

Cruise previously served as Managing Director for the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global business advisory group. During the Clinton administration, Cruise worked at the White House as Assistant Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Director of Public Affairs for the National Security Council, helping shape President Clinton’s foreign policy message. In this role, he worked extensively to secure passage of a landmark bill normalizing trade relations between the U.S. and China. Cruise also served as Director of Public Affairs for the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Jonathan Lash, WRI’s president for 18 years, is an internationally recognized expert on practical solutions to global sustainability and development challenges. In July 2011, Lash transitioned from WRI to take on a new role as President of Hampshire College in Massachusetts. During his tenure at WRI, the organization grew to more than 300 people across eight countries, developed partnerships in more than 50 countries, and opened an office in Beijing, China. Lash’s vision and leadership cut across the institute from climate change to business sustainability to governance, ecosystems, transportation, and more.

“While I have moved to a new venue, I am honored to join WRI’s board so I can continue to stay engaged with issues close to my heart,” said Lash. “I’m happy that WRI is thriving, and I’m eager to see the exciting directions the organization will take in the months and years to come.”

From 1993 to 1999, Lash served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, a group of government, business, labor, civil rights, and environmental leaders appointed by President Clinton that developed recommendations for strategies to promote sustainable development. Lash also played a key role in the creation of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which in 2007 issued the highly influential “Call to Action” on global warming. Lash also served on President Obama’s Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.

Dr. Jaime Lerner is an architect and city planner, based in Brazil, who is currently president of the Instituto Jaime Lerner. During three terms as mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, Lerner implemented the groundbreaking Rede Integrada de Transporte (Bus Rapid Transit system) as well as many social, environmental and educational programs. He is known for his innovative urban programming. He went on to serve two terms as Governor of Parana State in Brazil.

“I am inspired by WRI’s approach to finding creative solutions to urban, transportation, and other environmental issues,” said Lerner. “WRI is known for its innovative thinking when it comes to transportation and urban development, and I look forward to collaborating on these issues to create a more sustainable planet.”

Throughout his career, Lerner has worked to improve cities worldwide. He has received numerous awards including the United Nations Environmental Award (1990), the Child and Peace Award from UNICEF (1996), and the 2001 World Technology Award for Transportation.

These three leaders began serving on WRI’s board in August 2011.

For a complete list of WRI’s current board members, click here.