Jonathan Lash

President
World Resources Institute

Jonathan Lash has led the World Resources Institute (WRI) as its President since 1993. WRI is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to provide practical solutions to problems of environment and development. During the past ten years under his leadership, WRI has pioneered the use of digital technologies to solve environmental problems, engaged the business community in helping to foster development that is sustainable, and created new mechanisms to empower civil society groups.

Before joining WRI, Mr. Lash directed the environmental law and policy program of the Vermont Law School. From 1987 to 1990, he headed the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, having served the previous two years as Vermont's Commissioner of Environmental Conservation. In 1990 he became director of the Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School. A former Peace Corps volunteer and a former federal prosecutor, Mr. Lash also worked as a senior staff attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) from 1978 to 1985.

Affiliations

Mr. Lash served as co-chair of the President's Council on Sustainable Development from 1993 until 1999. He also served as a member of advisory groups to the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Trade Representative.

Jonathan has served on a broad range of national and international groups, including: the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Round Table on Sustainable Development; the Tata Energy and Resources Institute (India); the Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation (Japan); and various others. He is a member of the board of the Institute for Sustainable Communities, the Wallace Global Fund, and the Heinz Center.

Education

• Masters and law degrees, Catholic University of America
• Baccalaureate degree, Harvard University

Website

http://www.wri.org/profile/jonathan-lash