Kathryn Fuller

This article is part of the Climate project of Spinwatch.

Kathryn Fuller

Kathryn Fuller was World Wildlife Fund President and Chief Executive from 1989-2005. She left the organisation to chair the Ford Foundation and sit on the Executive board of aluminium company Alcoa, who have been accused of multiple environmental and human rights abuses.

According to Alcoa's website:

Ms. Fuller, 63, was elected to the Board of Directors in 2002 and is a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. She is the Chair, The Ford Foundation, a nonprofit organization, since May 2004. Ms. Fuller retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of World Wildlife Fund U.S. (WWF), one of the world’s largest nature conservation organizations, in July 2005, after having served in those positions since 1989. Ms. Fuller continues her affiliation with WWF as President Emerita and an honorary member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Fuller was a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan institute established by Congress for advanced study of national and world affairs, for a year beginning in October 2005.

Ms. Fuller had various responsibilities with WWF and The Conservation Foundation from 1982 to 1989, including executive vice president, general counsel and director of WWF’s public policy and wildlife trade monitoring programs. Before that, she held several positions in the U.S. Department of Justice, culminating as Chief, Wildlife and Marine Resources Section, in 1981 and 1982.

Fuller improving Alcoa's image. Also their environmental performance?

Fuller's profile on Alcoa's website reveals how her presence and environmental credibility have been useful to the 'reputation of the company':

Ms. Fuller has led two internationally recognized and respected organizations—having served as the chief executive officer of World Wildlife Fund and currently serving as the Chair of The Ford Foundation. Her experience in managing world-class organizations, combined with her proven leadership skills, international experience and environmental focus have all contributed to the diversity and richness of the board’s deliberations.

Recently, Ms. Fuller, together with Dr. Gueron and Mr. Schacht, personally provided direct supervision of policies regarding sustainable community relationships and environmental stewardship for the company’s new Juruti bauxite mine located in the Amazon region of Brazil. This work was undertaken as part of the Public Issues Committee’s oversight of matters that may affect the reputation of the company.

The company has long recognized the need to earn the right to continue to do business in the communities in which it operates, and as a result, the board seeks the input of directors, such as Ms. Fuller, who have a broad perspective of sustainable development.

The Juruti mine which Alcoa refer to is the company's third largest deposit, will strip 150 hecatares of tropical rainforest per year, as well as 800 hectares in initial installment and has been accused of water contamination leading to a Hepatitis A outbreak, and almost causing a suspension of their mining license. 40,000 people live in the area to be affected by the mine.