Peter Bosshard Appointed Interim Executive Director of International Rivers

The Board of Directors of International Rivers has appointed veteran staff member Peter Bosshard to serve as Interim Executive Director effective March 1st. Mr. Bosshard will take over from Jason Rainey, who has served as Executive Director since 2011 and announced his departure in January.

“We are thrilled that Peter is willing and able to step into this role,” says Deborah Moore, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We believe that he has the vision, expertise, institutional history, and good relationships with partners and staff to foster cohesion and collaboration while we conduct our Executive Director search. And we are grateful for Jason's nearly four-year leadership as Executive Director and his passionate commitment and contributions to the mission of International Rivers. The entire staff and board wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Peter Bosshard has been at International Rivers for 13 years as the Policy Director and part of the senior management team, and before that time was a long-time partner of International Rivers. He is a recognized expert in hydropower, international finance, and China’s role in global dam building. He’s been instrumental in developing our programs in China, Africa and South Asia, as well as campaigns and initiatives focused on Climate Finance and Energy Policy.

“The world's rivers are facing an unprecedented onslaught of dam building. A strong international advocacy group for rivers is more important than ever, and I am honored to steer International Rivers through this important transition period,” says Peter Bosshard, International Rivers’ Interim Executive Director.

International Rivers will continue to have management leadership from David Snyder as Director of Development and Inanna Hazel as Director of Finance and Operations.

Joining International Rivers’ management team will be Grace Mang as the new co-Director of Programs, sharing program coordination responsibilities with Mr. Bosshard. Ms. Mang joined International Rivers in 2010 and successfully managed the shift of our China Program to Beijing, China. She has been effective in influencing China’s largest dam builder Sinohydro’s social and environmental policy standards, and promoting river basin approaches in International Rivers’ work. Ms. Mang brings her background in law and river basin policy reform to support International Rivers’ efforts, and will be active in setting programmatic strategy.

“This interim plan and leadership team will build upon our successes and our investments in the people and movements throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America,” says Deborah Moore. “The Board of Directors, our talented staff, our donors, and our partners will continue our organization’s creative and effective campaigns for protecting rivers and the rights of communities around the world.”

International Rivers will soon post information on our website about the Search Process for our next Executive Director.