Peter Seligmann
{{Short description|US conservationist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Peter Seligmann
| image = Peter A. Seligmann, Vorsitzender v. Conservation International (5225645589).jpg
| caption = Peter Seligman, 2010
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|9|30}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| occupation = Conservationist
| yearsactive = 1976–present
| organization = Nia Tero, Conservation International
| known_for = Co-Founder and CEO of Nia Tero
| spouse = {{Marriage|Lee Rhodes|2008}}
| website = niatero.org
}}
Peter A. Seligmann (born September 30, 1950{{cite web|title=Conservation International Foundation {{!}} Learning to Give|url=https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/conservation-international-foundation|website=www.learningtogive.org|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}}) is an American conservationist and nonprofit founder. Seligmann is chairman of Conservation International, an Arlington, Virginia-based environmental nonprofit organization, and from 1987 to 2017 served as its founding chief executive officer.{{cite web|last1=Makower|first1=Joel|title=Exit Interview: Peter Seligmann, Conservation International|url=https://www.greenbiz.com/article/exit-interview-peter-seligmann-conservation-international|website=GreenBiz|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en|date=27 June 2017}} He is also the founding CEO{{Cite news|url=https://www.greenbiz.com/users/peter-seligman|title=Peter Seligmann|work=GreenBiz|access-date=2018-06-05|language=en-US}} of Nia Tero, a global collaborative{{Cite news|url=https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/how-to-ensure-hires-are-values-compatible/|title=How to Ensure Hires Are Values-Compatible|date=2018-01-23|work=Glassdoor for Employers|access-date=2018-06-05|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2021/02/securing-indigenous-guardianship-of-vital-ecosystems-qa-with-nia-tero-ceo-peter-seligmann/|title="Securing Indigenous guardianship of vital ecosystems": Q&A with Nia Tero CEO Peter Seligmann|date=2021-02-23|work=Mongabay.com|access-date=2021-02-24|language=en-US}} whose name translates in Esperanto to "our Earth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.niatero.org|title=Nia Tero|website=NiaTero|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-05}}"
Seligmann is a member{{cite web|title=A Conversation with Kerri-Ann Jones|url=https://www.cfr.org/event/conversation-kerri-ann-jones-0|website=Council on Foreign Relations|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} of the Council on Foreign Relations; the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility{{cite web|title=Advisory Board {{!}} Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility|url=https://zolberginstitute.org/people/advisory-board/|website=Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility|accessdate=31 January 2018}} at The New School; a director at First Eagle Holdings,{{cite web|title=Xdata|url=http://www.xdata.co/story.php?a=000163714117000001&c=1637141|website=www.xdata.co|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} formerly Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings Inc.; and the Mulago Foundation.{{cite web|title=Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program - University Innovation|url=http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Rainer_Arnhold_Fellows_Program|website=universityinnovation.org|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} He has served as a member{{cite web|title=Meet Our Partners: Conservation International|url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/meet-our-partners-conservation-international|website=The Coca-Cola Company|accessdate=31 January 2018}} of The Coca-Cola Company's International Public Policy Advisory Board.
On July 20, 2000,{{cite book|last1=Clinton|first1=William J.|title=Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton, 2000-2001|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GCfhAwAAQBAJ&q=enterprise+for+the+americas+peter+seligmann&pg=PA2141|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Best Books on |isbn=9781623768195}} President Bill Clinton appointed Seligmann to the Enterprise for the Americas Board.
Early life and education
Seligmann was born Sept. 30,1950, in New York City to Esther Arnhold Seligmann,{{cite news|title=Paid Notice: Deaths SELIGMANN, ESTHER (NEE ARNHOLD)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/10/classified/paid-notice-deaths-seligmann-esther-nee-arnhold.html|accessdate=31 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=10 May 2000}} a dance teacher and sister of Henry H. Arnhold, and Otto Seligmann,{{cite news|title=Paid Notice: Deaths SELIGMANN, OTTO|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/10/classified/paid-notice-deaths-seligmann-otto.html|accessdate=31 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=10 July 2003}} an accountant and treasurer of Arnhold Ceramics. He grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey.{{cite web|last1=Dennehy|first1=Kevin|title=Shaping a New Kind of Conservation|url=http://environment.yale.edu/news/article/peter-seligmann-forging-a-new-kind-of-conservation/|website=environment.yale.edu|date=14 January 2015 |publisher=Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}}
Seligmann graduated from high school at the Wardlaw Country Day School in Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1968. He holds a bachelor of science in wildlife ecology from Rutgers University (1972),{{cite web|title=2005: Distinguished Alumni to be Honored at Cook College Convo...|url=https://njaes.rutgers.edu/news/release.asp?n=330|website=njaes.rutgers.edu|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} a master's degree in forestry and environmental science from Yale University (1974),{{cite web|last1=Dennehy|first1=Kevin|title=Shaping a New Kind of Conservation|url=http://environment.yale.edu/news/article/peter-seligmann-forging-a-new-kind-of-conservation|website=environment.yale.edu|date=14 January 2015 |accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} and honorary doctorates in science from Michigan State University in 1994{{cite web|title=MSU Honorary Degree Recipients: Alphabetical List {{!}} Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies|url=https://vprgs.msu.edu/msu-honorary-degree-recipients-alphabetical-list#S|website=vprgs.msu.edu|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} and Rutgers University in 2003.{{cite web|title=Past Rutgers University Honorary Degree Recipients {{!}} Office of the Secretary of the University|url=https://universitysecretary.rutgers.edu/degrees?page=10|website=universitysecretary.rutgers.edu|accessdate=31 January 2018}}
Personal life
Seligmann is married to glassybaby founder Lee Rhodes, and the two reside in Seattle, Washington. Peter has three daughters from his marriage to Susan Monaghan Seligmann: Melissa Kathryn Seligmann Gokhvat,{{cite news|title=Melissa Seligmann, Eugene Gokhvat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/fashion/weddings/melissa-seligmann-eugene-gokhvat.html|accessdate=31 January 2018|work=The New York Times|agency=The New York Times|date=20 October 2013}} Jennifer Seligmann, and Leah Seligmann. He also has three stepchildren from his marriage to Lee Rhodes: Mericos Hector Rhodes, Evelyn Sale Rhodes, and Cedric Saunders Rhodes.
Seligmann is an avid world traveler, fisherman, and diver{{cite web|title=Expert Detail Page|url=https://www.conservation.org/newsroom/experts/Pages/ci-expert-details.aspx?ID=4&name=Peter-Seligmann|website=www.conservation.org|accessdate=31 January 2018}}
Career
After graduating from Yale University, Seligmann took a job with The Nature Conservancy, stewarding the organization's preserves in 13 states in the Western United States.{{cite web|last1=Dennehy|first1=Kevin|title=Shaping a New Kind of Conservation|url=http://environment.yale.edu/news/article/peter-seligmann-forging-a-new-kind-of-conservation/|website=environment.yale.edu|date=14 January 2015 |accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en}} Later, he helmed the California Nature Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy’s International program.{{cite web|title=Expert Detail Page|url=https://www.conservation.org/newsroom/experts/Pages/ci-expert-details.aspx?ID=4&name=Peter-Seligmann|website=www.conservation.org|accessdate=31 January 2018}}
In 1987, Seligmann became the co-founder and CEO of Conservation International. Seligmann has said his vision is to support an environmentally healthy world that provides economic opportunities and security, and he fulfills it by bringing together everyone from business and religious leaders to bureaucrats and scientists to local and indigenous people.
He served as CEO until July 1, 2017,{{cite web|title=Conservation International Names New Executive Team|url=https://www.conservation.org/NewsRoom/pressreleases/Pages/Conservation-International-Names-M.-Sanjayan-Chief-Executive-Officer--Jennifer-Morris-Named-President;-Sebastian-Troëng%C2%A0--N.aspx|website=www.conservation.org|publisher=Conservation International|accessdate=31 January 2018|language=en-us}} when he was succeeded by the conservation scientist M. Sanjayan.
Peter co-founded [https://www.niatero.org Nia Tero] in 2017.
Seligmann remains chairman of Conservation International alongside board members including former Walmart Chairman S. Robson Walton, chairman of the executive committee; actor Harrison Ford, vice chairman of the board; Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of Emerson Collective; President Ian Khama of Botswana; Northrop Grumman Corp. CEO Wesley G. Bush; Ann Friedman, and others.{{cite web|title=Board of Directors|url=https://www.conservation.org/about/Pages/board-of-directors.aspx|website=www.conservation.org|publisher=Conservation International|accessdate=31 January 2018}}
References
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