WINNIPEG—June 24, 2016—The International Institute for Sustainable Development welcomed five new members to its board of directors today, following a unanimous vote at the board’s general meeting.  

"I am delighted to welcome our new members in what is a pivotal time for sustainable development—and therefore also for IISD,” said Alan Young, IISD Board Chair. “Each member brings tremendous depth of experience. Our talented board of directors is a credit to the Institute's strong reputation in Canada and abroad.”

New board members

Karen J. Bakker is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, and holds a Canada Research Chair in Political Ecology and is Director of the Program on Water Governance.

Michelle Edkins is Managing Director at BlackRock and Global Head of its Investment Stewardship team.

Natan Obed is the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization representing Canada’s 60,000 Inuit.

Wanjira Mathai is Director of the Partnership for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (wPOWER) at the Wangari Maathai Institute.

Jukka Noponen has an extensive career in business management and development, venture capital investments and in green innovation, having worked on environmental issues in private consultancy as well as in innovation development for 40 years.