Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – December 18, 2012 – The JRS Biodiversity Foundation is pleased to announce Dr. Don S. Doering as its new Executive Director. Doering brings a wealth of skills in strategic philanthropy, sustainability, and international development and a passion for environmental science and conservation to his new role with the foundation. He has recently held several program and leadership roles in Agricultural Development in the Global Development Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to the Gates Foundation, he held senior staff positions at the World Resources Institute, Winrock International, and the International Food Policy Research Institute. He will join the foundation on January 1, 2013.
“We are thrilled that Don will join us as our Executive Director. His diverse experience in science, policy, philanthropy and organizational development will serve our mission to expand the knowledge and use of biodiversity science for the benefit and sustainability of life on earth,” said Dr. Daniel Masiga, President of the foundation.
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation supports biological diversity data collection and making data and knowledge accessible and meaningful to scientists and policy-makers. “The accelerating impacts of habitat destruction and climate change and the need to sustain our rapidly growing population, make data and informatics an ever more valuable tool in pursuit of sustainability,” says Doering. “I’m honored to advance the JRS Biodiversity Foundation’s contribution to conservation and to work with its experienced Board and innovative grantees,” he added.
Doering will succeed Harry E. Cerino who is retiring after serving as the foundation’s Executive Director since 2006, early in its inception. “We are grateful for Harry’s able leadership and mentorship for our establishment and through to the foundation’s emergence as a vital supporter of biodiversity information and use,” said Masiga.
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation is a private charitable foundation with assets of $43 million that invests in enhancing and promoting the knowledge of biological diversity to help to protect the earth’s diverse species and ecosystems and to sustain human health and development.