Sir Edmund Hillary - Biographies

Hillary Institute Appoints Senior Fellow
May 12^th, 2008

The Hillary Institute of International Leadership has marked its first operational year of working on Leadership in Climate Change Solutions with the appointment of its first Hillary Senior Fellow, Matt Petersen.

CEO and President of Global Green (USA) Petersen has been honoured with a two year appointment to work with the Institute internationally as an ambassador for the Institute’s search for exceptional leadership, targeting effective entrepre-neurial climate leaders at the midpoint of.their careers who have and are making a profound difference.

Petersen has designed and led Global Green USA, the only national environmental organization headquartered in greater Los Angeles, with a social entrepreneurial approach since 1994. He has helped develop and guide its growing programs of eliminating weapons of mass destruction; fighting climate change; promoting green building and renewable energy; and ensuring access to clean water for all of humanity.

Petersen is a representative to the Council of GCI, and Chairs the GCI Energy and Resource Efficiency Program. In the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, he put forth a vision and mobilized resources to create the Global Green "Healthy Homes and Smart Neighborhoods" initiative which includes: the New Orleans Sustainable Design Competition with Jury Chair Brad Pitt resulting in the construction of the Holy Cross Project; the NOLA Green Schools Initiative funded by the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund; and work with Habitat for Humanity throughout the Gulf Coast to create more energy efficient housing.

Petersen has created two annual environmental awards programs - often presented with Mikhail Gorbachev - entitled the Millennium Awards, held in Los Angeles, and the Designing A Sustainable World Awards, held in New York City. He is an advisor to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and a Member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He serves on the City of Santa Monica Environmental Task Force, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) advisory board and the Automotive X Prize Advisory Board.

"We much look forward to Matt joining us a keynote contributor to the first annual Hillary Symposium on World Environment Day, June 5th, here in Christchurch, alongside Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Nobel Peace-Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change*", said Hillary Institute ED Mark Prain.

"Matt is an exceptional example of the quality of mid-career Leadership the Institute is looking to invest in - we are delighted he is joining our journey".

* The June 5^th Hillary Symposium with Dr. Ranjendra Pachauri and Matt Petersen is fully subscribed.