Kathryn Fuller

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Kathryn Fuller

Kathryn Fuller was World Wildlife Fund President and Chief Executive from 1989-2005. In November 2001 Fuller was elected to the board of aluminium corporation Alcoa,[1] prior to the mining corporations embarking on its Icelandic Reydarfjordur smelter project - initially a Norsk Hydro initiative which World Wildlife Fund had campaigned against since 1999.[2]

Fuller maintained WWF's opposition to Alcoa's project in Iceland until her WWF presidency ended, though still maintained that Alcoa had 'a strong commitment to sustainability, including energy efficiency, recycling, and habitat protection.'[3] Following her succession as WWF President by Carter Roberts,[4] WWF stopped campaigning against the Reydarfjordur project.

Improving Alcoa's image, and 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.[5]
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.[6]

The Juruti mine which Alcoa refer to is the company's third largest deposit, will strip 150 hectares of tropical rainforest per year, as well as 800 hectares in initial instalment[7] which was accused of water contamination leading to a Hepatitis A outbreak, and almost caused a suspension of its mining license. 40,000 people live in the area to be affected by the mine.[8]

Defending and conflicting with Alcoa

When questioned about her dual relationship to WWF and Alcoa, and WWF's Alcoa Foundation funded fellowship programme, Fuller responded:[9]

First, I strongly believe that engaging with the private sector is essential if we are serious about addressing environmental problems at scale. Serving on a board provides an opportunity to shape policies and practices that complements outside advocacy. My experience with Alcoa has convinced me that the company has a strong commitment to sustainability, including energy efficiency, recycling, and habitat protection. The company is making substantial progress toward its ambitious environmental targets.
As to the Alcoa Foundation, WWF received funds from many sources, including corporations, and was a grantee of the Alcoa Foundation before I joined the Alcoa board. Needless to say, the continuation of funding for our education and training work was thoroughly scrutinized by Alcoa and by WWF to ensure that the grant met the highest ethical standards. And, by the way, WWF actively and very strongly opposed [Alcoa's] dam project in Iceland during my tenure as president of WWF.

Under Fuller, WWF published several articles condemning the damming of the Kárahnjukar area in Iceland for a Norsk Hydro and later Alcoa aluminium smelter in Reydarfjordur, east Iceland. These included references to Fuller personally calling for the dam to be stopped within Alcoa's board rooms:

WWF is calling on Alcoa, which has 129,000 employees worldwide and last year generated revenues of USD 22.9 billion, to live up to its environmental principles and back out of its joint plan with the Icelandic Government. The Alcoa board will take a final decision on the project on 11 July. The CEO of WWF-US, Kathryn S. Fuller, sits on Alcoa's board and has raised WWF's opposition to the project with the company at the highest level.[10]

Fuller would be replaced by Carter Roberts as President of WWF precisely three years after Alcoa made its final decision to continue with its Icelandic venture. WWF published six further statements against the project until Fuller left, at which point they finished condemning the project.

Career in NGOs, philanthropy, museums and mining

Fuller sits on the boards of WWF,[11] Alcoa,[12] Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (chair),[13] and the The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.[14] She was chair and member of the Ford Foundation board from 2004 until 2010, having been a trustee of the foundation since 1994.[15] She sat on the board of Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars from 2005-2006.[16] Prior to WWF Fuller held various responsibilities at the Conservation Foundation.


Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ 'Kathryn S. Fuller Appointed to Alcoa Board of Directors', 15 November 2001, accessed 26 August 2011
  2. ↑ 'Economy versus Ecology: Iceland's Dilemma', 1 October 1999, accessed 26 August 2011
  3. ↑ Grist, 'Kathryn Fuller, president of WWF, answers questions', 1 November 2004, accessed 26 August 2011
  4. ↑ Kerry Green Zobor, 'Press Release:Carter S. Roberts Becomes President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund', 11 July 2005, accessed 26 August 2011
  5. ↑ Alcoa website, corporate governance, Directors Kathryn Fuller Accessed 17/05/10
  6. ↑ Alcoa website, corporate governance, Directors Kathryn Fuller Accessed 17/05/10
  7. ↑ Aline Ribeiro, Epoca Negocios Global A Promise for Juruti Accessed 17/05/10
  8. ↑ Reuters, Wed June 20, 2007 Alcoa Juruti mine risks license suspension - Sectam Accessed 17/05/10
  9. ↑ Grist, 'Kathryn Fuller, president of WWF, answers questions', 1 November 2004, accessed 26 August 2011
  10. ↑ 'WWF condemns plans by aluminium giant Alcoa that would destroy great Icelandic wilderness', 27 June 2002, accessed 26 August 2011
  11. ↑ 'WWF Board membership', accessed 26 August 2011
  12. ↑ 'Alcoa directors overview', accessed 26 August 2011
  13. ↑ 'Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Executive Staff & Board', accessed 26 August 2011
  14. ↑ Kathryn S. Fuller, JoAnn Heffernan Heisen and Willard D. Nielsen Join Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Board of Trustees', 24 January 2011, accessed 26 August 2011.
  15. ↑ 'Ford Announces Irene Hirano Inouye as Next Board Chair', 28 May 2010, accessed 26 August 2011
  16. ↑ 'RWJF: Kathryn S. Fuller profile', accessed 26 August 2011
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