|
THE H. JOHN HEINZ III CENTER FOR |
FOR INFORMATION: Anne Hummer Tel: (202) 737-6307 Fax: (202) 737-6410 |
HEINZ CENTER SELECTS DEB CALLAHAN AS PRESIDENT
For Immediate Release April 3, 2009
Washington, D.C. Deb Callahan, noted conservation leader and environmental policy expert, will become President of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment on April 20, 2009. Ms. Callahan succeeds Dr. Thomas Lovejoy who served as Heinz Center president from 2002 to October 2008 when he became Biodiversity Chair at the Heinz Center. Immediately prior to joining The Heinz Center, Ms. Callahan was the founder and CEO of Northstar Strategy Inc., a strategic consulting service firm providing expertise in philanthropy, environmental policy and communications for a range of foundations and non- profit organizations.
Ms. Callahan served as President of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) from 1996 to 2006, a nationally recognized political and environmental leadership organization. During her tenure, the LCV and its voter Education Fund developed into highly respected non partisan institutions that educated the public on critical environmental policies. Prior to her work at LCV, Ms.Callahan served as the founding Executive Director of the Brainerd Foundation and was a program officer for the W. Alton Jones foundation, both prominent environmental grantmaking foundations.
“We are particularly delighted to have Deb Callahan join the Heinz Center in this important leadership role,” said Teresa Heinz, founder of the Heinz Center and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Deb has been an extraordinary advocate for conservation and the environment for over 25 years. Her strategic vision and dynamic leadership at this critical time will guide the Heinz Center into a new era of shaping effective environmental policies,” she added.
Heinz Center Board Chair Dr. Rita Colwell noted that Callahan’s reputation for building consensus, developing partnerships and leading successful programs makes her an ideal choice to lead the Heinz Center. “Deb’s energy, enthusiasm, and ability to marshal financial resources and attract talented staff are hallmarks of her success,” said Dr. Colwell.
Ms. Callahan said that she is pleased to take on “this new role at the Heinz Center. I look forward to continuing the Heinz Center tradition of tackling difficult environmental challenges and working toward sensible solutions.”
Ms. Callahan resides with her family in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Heinz Center, established in 1995 in memory of Senator John Heinz, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution dedicated to improving the scientific and economic basis for environmental policy and to developing innovative solutions to environmental problems.
###