Toronto – With great enthusiasm and pleasure, Greenpeace Canada’s Board of Directors announces the appointment of Christy Ferguson to the position of Executive Director. The 42-year-old new mother has been an accomplished leader within Greenpeace for 15 years and has overseen key campaigns from stopping tar sands expansion to protecting the Arctic from offshore drilling.
“We’re truly delighted that Christy is taking the helm at Greenpeace Canada,” said Brigid Rowan, Co-Chair of the Greenpeace Canada Board. “She’s exactly the person we need to lead a Greenpeace for a new generation at this critical time: compassionate, collaborative, inclusive, and solutions-oriented, yet uncompromising on our values and what matters most,” said Co-Chair, Anna Crawford
Christy joined Greenpeace in 2004 as a campaign assistant, then took on increasing levels of leadership running campaigns to save forests, stop destructive oil development, and protect the Arctic. In 2014, she became Director of Programs for Greenpeace Canada, overseeing the organization’s campaigns, communications, and organizing efforts. She stepped in as Interim Executive Director shortly after her return from parental leave last December, following the departure of Joanna Kerr. Greenpeace’s Board of Directors conducted a global search over the past five months to fill the vital role of Executive Director. A rigorous and thorough recruitment process has confirmed that the right candidate was already in-house and in place. Christy will transition to the permanent ED role immediately and will continue to be based in Ottawa.
“Greenpeace became iconic in the 1970s for the courageous actions of a group of young people determined to create a future free from violence, where nature and humanity can thrive,” said Christy Ferguson. “Today, eighty percent of our staff is under the age of 45 and we’re witnessing an unstoppable wave of Gen Z and Millennial activism propel climate action to the top of the political agenda. I’ll be focused on supporting these young people and making our organization more diverse and accessible. Together, we can counter divisive populist politics by leading with empathy to solve our common challenges.”
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About Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organization funded almost entirely by individual donations, which uses peaceful, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and develop solutions for a green and peaceful future. Active in over 55 countries across Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the world’s leading environmental organization seeking to protect biodiversity in all its forms, – prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air and fresh water, – end all nuclear threats, promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence.
For more information, please contact:
Marie-Christine Fiset, Head of Media, Greenpeace Canada
[email protected]; +1 514 400-3256
