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2008 Teresa Heinz Kerry Philanthropist Teresa Heinz Kerry, a pioneer in the field of venture philanthropy, is one of the nation's leading environmental advocates. Currently chairman of the Heinz Endowments and the Heinz Family Philanthropies, Mrs. Heinz established The Heinz Center in honor of her late husband, Senator John Heinz. Bette Midler Founder, New York Restoration Project Celebrated entertainer Bette Midler founded the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in 1995 in the belief that clean, green neighborhoods are fundamental to the quality of life, and that every community in New York City deserves an oasis of natural beauty. Jean Clark, Norma Dana, Marguerite Purnell, Betsy Barlow Rogers and Phyllis Wagner Founding Women of the Central Park Conservancy By 1980, Central Park was mired in a cycle of neglect due in part to inadequate funding, leading to disrepair and crime. This dynamic group helped restore Manhattan's crown jewel, and the first public park built in the U. S., to its former luster. Back to top 2007 Frances Beinecke President of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Frances Beinecke has led the organization in focusing efforts that include curbing global warming, moving America beyond oil, reviving the world's oceans, and saving endangered wild places. Majora Carter Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx Born, raised, and continuing to live & work in the South Bronx, Majora Carter believes you shouldn't have to move out of your neighborhood to live in a better one, and that this has environmental and economic implications that span the globe. She founded Sustainable South Bronx in 2001 to bring that philosophy to life. Laurie David Global Warming Activist/Producer/Author Laurie David is one of our nation's most effective and prolific leaders in the fight against global warming. Her accomplishments include founding the Stop Global Warming Virtual March at www.stopglobalwarming.org, and producing the Academy Award winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, based on former Vice President Al Gore's research. Deirdre Imus Founder and President of the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology Author of the Green This! series, Deirdre Imus is also Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer and serves on the boards of several children's health organizations. Back to top 2006 Kathleen Bader Former President and CEO of NatureWorks LLC Kathleen Bader was identified as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in International Business by Fortune Magazine in October 2001, and profiled by Forbes for her work in corn-based polymers in 2005. Margie Ruddick Environmental Designer, Founder of Margie Ruddick Landscape Through nearly 20 years of practice, authorship and teaching, Margie Ruddick has pioneered an approach to landscape design blending aesthetic expression with ecological purpose in the U.S. as well as internationally. Back to top 2005 Kay Kelley Arnold Vice President of Public Affairs, Entergy Corporation As a law student, Kay Arnold worked for Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, later becoming a member of his cabinet as the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Today she manages the Entergy Foundation and giving programs, political action committees and grassroots programs, low-income programs and other community programs. Bernadette Castro Former Commissioner, New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Bernadette Castro was appointed head of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and State Historic Preservation Officer, in 1995 by Governor Pataki. Commissioner Castro has initiated numerous public/private partnerships that have preserved and enhanced the State park system, and generated millions of dollars to fund capital projects. Dr. Mae Jemison Founder, BioSentient Corporation Dr. Mae C. Jemison is founder of BioSentient Corporation, a medical technology devices and services company focused on improving health and human performance through physiologic awareness and self-regulation. She is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine; an inductee of National Women's Hall of Fame, National Medical Association Hall of Fame and Texas Science Hall of Fame; and winner of the Kilby Science Award. Margaret Wittenberg Whole Foods Market Vice President of Global Communications and Quality Standards An internationally recognized expert on sustainable agriculture with 30 years of experience in the natural and organic foods industry, Margaret Wittenberg joined Whole Foods Market in 1981. She focuses on quality standards, food safety, governmental issues, and food and nutrition education. Wittenberg has worked closely with key organizations including the USDA, the EPA, Organic Trade Association, and the Marine Stewardship Council. Back to top 2004 Jayni Chase Environmental Activist and Philanthropist Acting on the belief that positive environmental change must begin with the education of our children, Jayni Chase founded the Center for Environmental Education in 1988. Originally in the Pacific Palisades, in 1996 The Center followed the Chase family's Eastward migration. It now operates at Unity College, Unity, Maine. Jayni created The Center in order to provide K-12 teachers and students with the resources and materials necessary to build environmental education programs and lessons in their schools. Lynn Chase Wildlife Artist, Philanthropist Lifelong conservationist Lynn Chase, has been inspiring people with her depictions of wildlife in art, dinnerware and giftware for more than 30 years.Lynn is pivotally involved in many conservation interests worldwide and was honored with Audubon's Rachel Carson Award in 2004. Maria Rodale Chairman, Rodale Publishing Maria Rodale is the Chairman of the Board of Rodale Inc., the world's leading publisher of information on healthy, active lifestyles. Since joining the board in 1991, she has helped build an international multimedia company from the small publishing business that her late grandfather J. I. Rodale founded in 1930. Peggy Shepard Executive Director, West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. Peggy Shepard is executive director and co-founder of West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (WE ACT). WE ACT, New York's first environmental justice organization was created in 1988 to improve environmental health and quality of life in communities of color. Alice Waters Chef, Author, Restaurateur Alice Waters opened her landmark Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse in 1971. She is an internationally-known chef, author, and restaurateur whose steadfast vision pioneered a culinary philosophy based on using only the freshest local ingredients, picked in season. She also created the Chez Panisse Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to establish a public school curriculum and school lunch program where growing, cooking and sharing food at the table gives students the knowledge and values to build a humane and sustainable future. Back to top