JOHN WILLIS

John Willis has extensive experience with Greenpeace, having worked as a Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada (1981 - 1988), a Project Coordinator for Greenpeace International (1988 - 1995), and as National Campaign Director for Greenpeace Japan (1995 - 1996).  In the early 1980s, he developed the original Great Lakes Campaign ('Water for Life') in conjunction with Greenpeace USA activists, and was prominent in the anti-nuclear movement and the campaign to stop acid rain. At Greenpeace International he oversaw the successful Greenpeace effort to halt nuclear industry expansion into Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.  And in Japan, John trained a new team of campaigners working on French nuclear testing and toxics.

Since returning to Canada, John has been a Senior Consultant with Strategic Communications, a leading Canadian consulting firm that specializes in fundraising and campaign mobilization for advocacy groups, labor unions, and public service organizations.  John was elected to the Greenpeace Canada Board of Directors in 1996, and was made Chair of the Board one year later. As Chair and Trustee for Canada, John has guided the successful selection and hiring of a new Executive Director, introduced measures to enable effective oversight by the Voting Membership, and promoted an improved system of electing the international Board.