Ruth Hennig

Ruth Hennig "is the executive director of The John Merck Fund, which she joined as the foundation’s first staff member in 1988, the year that climate change began to get sustained media attention. In addition to management responsibilities, she functions as the director of the Environment Program. Prior to joining the foundation, Ruth was on the Conservation Law Foundation’s senior staff. Ruth chairs the board of SmartPower, which is attempting to build markets for clean energy across the country, and was a founding advisory committee member of the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. She was instrumental in creating both organizations.

"Ruth has served the environmental foundation community in several roles. She was a board member of the Beldon Fund and is currently a member of the Health and Environment Funders Network steering committee. She is a past member of the management committees for the Environmental Grantmakers Association and the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity."

• Trustee, Beldon Fund