Resources for the Future competitors

Michael Brune (born 24 August 1971) became the youngest executive director of the Sierra Club at 38 years of age, an American environmental organization founded by preservationist John Muir, UC professor of botany Willis Linn Jepson, and attorney Warren Olney in 1892. Brune was hired by the 15 member board of directors to his position as executive director in January 2010, after Carl Pope was fired.

As Chief Operating Officer, John Walters oversees the Hudson Institute's operations, including staff and research management. From December 2001 to January 2009, he was director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and a cabinet member during the Bush Administration. As the nation's ''Drug Czar,'' Mr. Walters guided all aspects of federal drug policy and programs—supporting efforts that drove down teen drug use 25 percent, increased substance abuse treatment and screening in the healthcare system and dramatically dropped the availability of cocaine and methamphetamine in the U.S. He also helped build critical programs to counter narcoterrorism in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan.

Executive-level communications and marketing professional with proven track record as an organizational and cultural change agent. Critical experience moving the needle on pressing social issues including equality, climate change and justice. Adept in cultivating and managing strategic engagements as well as extensive experience in management, crisis, marketing and communications across all major disciplines: media relations, positioning, branding, advertising, storytelling, social media, events and partnerships.Proud to be recognized by PR News as a "PR Gamechanger" and PR Week as a "Champion of PR." Architect of groundbreaking campaigns including the red logo equality campaign-one of Facebook's most viral campaign in its history as well as numerous others for social and environmental change. Winner of the Mashie Award for Best Social Media Campaign, SXSW Digital Campaign of the Year, Best in Show and Social Media Campaign of the Year, Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, PR Week Winner Best Use of Social Media/Digital, two Shorty Social Good awards and three time awardee of the PRSA Silver Anvil Awards. Finalist for Three Social Media Icon Awards and proud to be recognized as one of PR News’ Top Women in PR. Honored to be one of Advertising Women of NY's Gamechangers and named "Digital Innovator of the Year." Featured in The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Associated Press, Mashable, The Washington Post, Advertising Age, NPR and others.