Press release - 15 January, 2016
Amsterdam, 15 January 2016 - Following an extensive search Greenpeace International is pleased to announce that it is appointing co-Executive Directors to lead the organisation. Jennifer Morgan, currently the Global Director of the climate program at the World Resource Institute, and the former Executive Director of Greenpeace New Zealand, Bunny McDiarmid will take up their posts in April this year. [1][2]
The appointment of both Jennifer and Bunny to co-International Executive Director positions by the Greenpeace International Board of Directors reflects at the top level a decision to embrace innovation in leadership within the organisation in order to better challenge power structures outside of the organisation.
Chair of the Board of Directors of Greenpeace International, Ana Toni said:
“Together they have travelled the world and navigated the corridors of power as well as the high-seas. Today’s environmental movement needs fresh thinking driven by energy and dynamism. With their experience we aim to catalyse creative and impactful campaigns, not only within the organisation but for the millions everywhere who have the courage to remedy the health of our planet.”
Jennifer Morgan said:
"In order to preserve humanity, we have to preserve the earth. To do so we need millions of people around the world engaging creatively, and with courage, on all levels of society to bring their voices into the halls of power. I am deeply honored and thrilled, at this critical moment in history, to take on the role as co-International Executive Director of Greenpeace International, an organisation that inspires those voices and forges the solutions so urgently required to protect our planet.”
Bunny McDiarmid said:
“Here is the challenge that lies ahead for all of us: passing on to our children a planet capable of sustaining life in all its wonderful and necessary diversity. Greenpeace needs to continue to inspire people to fearlessly keep the idea that this is possible alive. Having spent a lifetime in the heart of environmental activism and watched its ebbs and flows, the opportunity to take my experiences from behind the desk and below the mainsail and be part of this re-invigorated movement is one I am very excited about.”
They will both be available for press queries in April when they take up their posts.
Mads Christensen is currently the Interim International Executive Director following the departure at the end of last year of Kumi Naidoo as Greenpeace International Executive Director. Mads will remain in the position until Jennifer and Bunny begin in April.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
[1] See bio for Jennifer Morgan here.
[2] See the story of Bunny McDiarmid here.
For more background information on Jennifer and Bunny see here.
More about the Greenpeace International Management Structure here.
Contacts:
Greenpeace International, Arin de Hoog, Editor, 
, phone: +31 646 1973 29
Greenpeace International Press Desk, 
, phone: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)