Peter Seligmann

For nearly 40 years, Peter Seligmann has been an influential and inspiring voice in conservation. His efforts have been shaped by a belief that societies will not thrive without a shared and integrated commitment to equity, environmental health and economic vitality. He has worked closely with governments, multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations, corporations, foundations, and civil society partners across multiple continents. In 1987, Peter founded Conservation International, serving as CEO and Chairman through 2017. Continuing as Chairman of CI, in 2017, Peter founded Nia Tero, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Guardianship of their territories, partnering with over 300 Indigenous Peoples to support the protection of over 300,000,000 acres of their territorial waters and lands.

In January of 2025, Peter stepped down as CEO and continues to serve on Nia Tero’s Board of Directors. In June of 2025 Peter stepped down as Chairman of CI. Peter is currently the Chairman of Silvania, a natural capital fund committed to establishing Nature as an investable asset class. He was appointed Distinguished Professor of Practice at Arizona State University in March of 2025, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the boards of the Mulago Foundation, the New School’s Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility, and First Eagle Investment Holdings.

He is on the Advisory Boards of BDT&MSD Partners and GITI corporation, a Singaporean corporation.