BIOGRAFIEN

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel has become one of Hollywood’s most coveted leading women.  Biel was most recently noted for her critically acclaimed performance in film THE ILLUSIONIST alongside Oscar nominated actors Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. Entertainment Weekly magazine was quoted saying “Jessica Biel pulls off her most impressive trick yet: transforming herself into a turn-of-the-century Austrian duchess – and a serious art house actress.”

Biel recently signed on to star in the 20th Century Fox film THE A-TEAM alongside Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson. The release date is scheduled for June 11, 2010.

Biel recently wrapped filming the Gary Marshall directed romantic comedy VALENTINE’S DAY along with Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba and Bradley Cooper. Biel’s character will play a publicist unlucky in love. The Warner Bros. film is set for release February 12, 2010.

Biel was last seen starring in the romantic dramedy, EASY VIRTUE opposite Colin Firth, Ben Barnes and Kristin Scott Thomas. She portrays an American who is in constant conflict with her new mother-in-law (Scott Thomas) after marrying a young wealthy Englishman on a spur of the moment trip to France. The film is based on the play by Noel Coward and adapted by writer/director Stephan Elliot. EASY VIRTUE premiered at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews and received an overwhelming positive response when screened again at the prestigious Rome, London and Tribeca Film Festivals. EASY VIRTUE opened in the US on May 22, 2009.

Biel starred in NAILED, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, James Marsden and Catherine Keener. This comedy was directed by David O. Russell and follows a waitress who gets a nail accidentally lodged in her head causing unpredictable behavior that leads her to Washington, DC, where sparks fly when she meets a clueless young senator (Gyllenhaal) who takes up her cause.

Biel shows great range in the dramatic film POWDER BLUE, in which she stars opposite Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker, Patrick Swayze and Ray Liotta. This dramatic film follows the lives of several Los Angeles strangers who meet by chance on Christmas Eve through a shared tragedy.

Biel was seen in the Universal comedy, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, opposite Adam Sandler and Kevin James. The film follows two straight, New York firefighters, played by Sandler and James, as they pretend to be a married gay couple. Biel plays their lawyer as they battle the city to receive domestic partner benefits. I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRYopened #1 at the box office and grossed well over $100 million domestically.

For her work in THE ILLUSIONIST, Biel received numerous awards including Hollywood Life’s Annual “Breakthrough Award”, the “Shining Star Award” at both the Giffoni Film Festival and the Maui Film Festival, as well as the “Breakthrough Performance Award” at the 18th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Biel also starred in the return-from-war drama HOME OF THE BRAVE opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. In addition she starred in the sci-fi thriller NEXT with Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore for Revolution Studios.

As a child, Biel initially pursued a career as a vocalist, performing in musical theatre.  Starting at age nine, she starred in productions such as Annie, The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast.  A natural beauty, she soon turned to modeling and commercial work by competing in The International Modeling and Talent Association’s Annual Conference in 1994.

In her feature film debut at age fourteen, Biel garnered acclaim for her portrayal as the rebellious daughter in Victor Nunez’s acclaimed film ULEE’S Gold, starring Oscar nominee Peter Fonda.  She then went on to appear in such films as Disney’s, I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS with Jonathan Taylor Thomas; Warner Bros.’ romantic comedy, SUMMER CATCH, co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr.; Lions Gate Films’, THE RULES OF ATTRACTION, for director Roger Avary; New Line’s hit remake of  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE; and New Line’s, BLADE: TRINITY with Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson and Ryan Reynolds; Cameron Crowe’s ELIZABETHTOWN, with Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon; and STEALTH,starring alongside Josh Lucas and Jamie Foxx.

In her spare time, Biel is active with Make the Difference Network, an online organization that she started with her father, Jon Biel. MTDN is a “national wish list” where people can search, find and fund specific wishes that have been listed by nonprofit organizations. Through MDTN, Biel has become involved in such charities as Serving Those Who Serve, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and PETA. She was recently honored with the “National Impact Award” at the 2008 Heart of Los Angeles Gala and previously honored with the “Young Philanthropist of the Year” Award at the 2006 Golden Karma Awards for her charitable work. Biel’s hobbies include ballet, soccer, running, yoga and hiking with her dog, Tina.

 

Alexandra Cousteau

A globally recognized advocate on water quality and policy, Alexandra continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jaques-Yves and father Philippe Cousteau. At 33, she has already mastered the remarkable storytelling tradition handed down to her and has the unique ability to draw audiences into the weighty issues of policy, politics and action. 
  
Alexandra is dedicated to advocating the importance of conservation and sustainable management of water resources in order to preserve a healthy planet.  Her global initiatives seek to inspire and empower individuals to protect not only the ocean and its inhabitants, but also the human communities that rely on the purity of our freshwater resources.   

In 2008, she founded Blue Legacy, a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit dedicated to exploring how humans connect to our water-based planet. Through projects like the recent Expedition: Blue Planet, Alexandra combines traditional film and social media to engage global audiences online—showing how individuals and communities contribute to an interdependent global water system, and how they can work together to protect it. In her first book This Blue Planet, to be published in 2011 by Dutton Publishing (a division of the Penguin Group), Alexandra will share stories and findings from her 100-day expedition—which took her from the Ganges River in India to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, throughout the Middle East and across both Cambodia and Australia.
  
Educated in International Relations at Georgetown University, Alexandra brings expertise and energy to the environmental issues that matter most.  And she’s quickly establishing a name of her own. In 2009, Alexandra joined the Discovery Channel line-up, co-hosting “Blue August” with brother Philippe, Jr and serving as a Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discovery’s Planet Green. In 2008, she was honored as a National Geographic “Emerging Explorer”—an elite group of eleven visionary young trailblazers from around the world who push the boundaries of discovery, adventure, and global problem solving.  She has been honored as an “Earth Trustee” by the UN and regularly delivers testimony on critical policy issues before the U.S. Congress. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Global Water Challenge, Mother Nature Network, and EarthEcho; and the steering committee of The Shark Alliance.

Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Alexandra has served as a keynote speaker on environmental issues for organizations ranging from the United Nations, National Geographic, Harvard University and the Smithsonian, to the National Press Club, Bioneers and the Telluride Mountain Film Festival. She is regularly featured on CNN International as a Principal Voice, writes numerous columns for the international press, and was named with Tyra Banks as a 2008 Fun Fearless Phenom by Cosmopolitan magazine. 

To honor the work and legacy of her father and grandfather, Alexandra requests that stories featuring her work or projects use either her first name (‘Alexandra”) or both her first and last name together (“Alexandra Cousteau”) in order to draw a distinction between the longstanding achievements of her family and the new projects she is undertaking.  While it is understood that journalistic style often dictates the use of the surname when referring to the subject of a story, Alexandra kindly requests that writers limit the use of the “Cousteau” name in third person references.  Please also note that neither Alexandra Cousteau nor her work are in any way affiliated with the Cousteau Society.

 

Pete Wentz

Though initially renowned singularly for his musical talents, Pete Wentz has evolved and taken new form, joining a pantheon of successful business moguls. Wentz, 30, is the bassist and lyricist of the Grammy nominated band Fall Out Boy, which over the past few years has released two multi-platinum albums that spawned the chart topping hits "Sugar, We're Going Down," "Dance, Dance," "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs," and "This Ain't A Scene, Its An Arms Race," among others.  Their third effort “Folie A Deux” is out now and has already produced two hit singles “I Don’t Care” and “America’s Suitehearts.”

Over the past few years, Wentz has leveraged his initial music stardom into a complete portfolio of music recording and management, apparel, publishing, and bar and nightlife projects. His boundless range of talents and prolific entrepreneurial skills has solidified his place as one of entertainment’s most successful stars. Now the empire is spreading, and kids and corporate partners alike are responding. 

RECORDING
Famously known for being the bassist and lyricist for Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz has become a touchstone of the pop-punk scene.  Fall Out Boy first exploded onto the music scene in May, 2005 with the release of From Under the Cork Tree. The album, which has achieved double platinum status, has sold over 2.5 million albums nationwide and had multiple hits including “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and ‘Dance, Dance,” earning Fall Out Boy a “Best New Artist” nomination at the 2006 Grammy Awards.  Since then, the band has released “Infinity on High” and “Folie A Deux,” as well as a DVD “Live in Phoenix,” which featured the remake of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”  His escalating music career has spawned his one-man DJ company, Hemingway Wentz, Inc., and a host and co-producer stint on MTV’s “F’N Music” which plays classic and contemporary music videos.

MUSIC
Building on his past experiences as an up and coming artist, Wentz has tenaciously sought ways to help aspiring musicians take their careers to new levels. In 2005, Pete’s pursuit came to fruition when he founded the record label Decaydence. In just three short years since its inception, Decaydance has proved to be a powerhouse label and bellwether of the modern pop/punk/rock movement, having released critically and commercially successful albums by its artist roster including Gym Class Heroes, Panic At The Disco and Cobra Starship, among others, most of whom were found and nurtured by Wentz. 

In its infancy the label partnered with Florida-based Fueled by Ramen and jointly distributed work through Atlantic Records.  That deal expired at the end of 2007, though Decaydance will continue to work with those artists through their respective terms with FBR/Atlantic.  In its new incarnation, Decaydance will put out albums on its own with the option to seek entrepreneurial partners for each release.

PUBLISHING
Pete’s creativity and success is not limited to music. An accomplished writer, Wentz released the book The Boy With A Thorn In His Side, a riveting story about the reoccurring nightmares which kept him stirring and awake as a child.  The book, which was brilliantly illustrated by renowned tattoo artist Tim Biedron, brings Pete’s dark and intriguing subconscious to life, giving reader’s insight into one of music’s most fascinating minds. The Boy With A Thorn In His Side has sold more than 10,000 copies to date and served as the inspiration for his clothing line Clandestine Industries. Pete’s follow up book, Rainy Day Kids is currently in the works and he is also a regular contributor to LA Confidential magazine.

FASHION
The release and success of Wentz’s “The Boy With A Thorn in His Side” inspired Pete to accentuate his vision to other creatively-driven industries and he launched Clandestine Industries – a clothing line for young men and women featuring graphic T-shirts, embellished hoodies and other staples of casual wear.  In August 2007, Wentz partnered with famed fashion company DKNY on a co-branded line and in 2008, created a one-off partnership with the retailer Nordstroms. The label can now be found nationwide exclusively online at clandestineindustries.com, which re-launched at the start of 2009, as well as at the Clandestine Industries’ flagship store in Chicago and churns out new product regularly, not just seasonally.

NIGHTLIFE
Taking his empire to new heights, Wentz furthered his titles from musician, writer and designer to nightlife impresario by joining forces with Crush Management partners Bob McLynn and Jonathan Daniel in founding Angels & Kings, a fun, inclusive and eclectic bar and nightlife destination, originated in NYC.  Established in 2007 the brand has become a staple in the nightlife industry boasting hotspots in New York City, Chicago and Barcelona.

PHILANTHROPY
Pete’s immense success as a musician and mogul has amplified his ability to give back to those in need.  As a lodestar, Wentz has become an avid supporter and activist for Invisible Children, a non-profit organization created in 2005 dedicated to assisting children coping with the 22-year long civil war in Northern Uganda by transforming empathy into action. The organization aims to educate and inspire American youth and thus bring an end to the many injustices around the world. In March 2008, Wentz joined more than 1,000 youth from across the country to lobby Congress on behalf of the organization.  Wentz also routinely contributes to and works on behalf of a host of children’s charities including the Madden Richie Foundation and Room To Grow.

ART
A long time mixed-media artist, Wentz staged his first gallery show in December, 2008 at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. Staged in conjunction with the works of Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes and titled “Without You I Am Just Me” the show featured more than 20 works created by Wentz and McCoy as both collaborators and individuals and offered limited edition signed prints and a show catalogue. The graffiti inspired pieces nearly sold out on opening night and the event benefited Invisible Children.

 

Angelique Kidjo

“Her spirit is irrepressible, and she brings life to everything she touches.” – Peter Gabriel

With DJIN DJIN, her release on Razor & Tie/Starbucks Entertainment, Angelique Kidjo comes home. The critically acclaimed album recently won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Album. The much-celebrated singer, composer, and performer began in the Beninese port village of Cotonou, where she launched her career at the age of six. The political turmoil in her country led her to relocate to Paris, the capital of world music, and then ultimately to New York City, where she now resides. Her striking voice, stage presence and her fluency in multiple cultures and languages won respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. It also earned her access to humanitarians who sensed the passion in the words of her songs, resulting in her long-term dedication to global charity work.

Kidjo has traveled far and mesmerized audiences on countless stages, speaking out on behalf of the children in her capacity as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Now with DJIN DJIN and the return to her musical roots, Kidjo has truly closed the circle in her life as she brings international artists to the musical world of her native country.

As a child, Kidjo was mesmerized by an iconic album cover of Jimi Hendrix, which led her to follow the African roots of music from the United States, Brazil and the Carribean.  The results were the Grammy-nominated trilogy of albums, OREMI, BLACK IVORY SOUL and OYAYA. With DJIN DJIN (pronounced “gin gin”), Angelique Kidjo returns to the soul of Benin – and, for the first time, shares it with a cast of all-star guests, in a marriage of cultures that has significance far beyond music alone. Inspired by the traditions and culture of Kidjo’s native Benin in West Africa, the title of the album refers to the sound of the bell that greets the beginning of a new day for Africa.

The diversity represented by Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis, producer Tony Visconti, and the others who contribute to DJIN DJIN speaks to the lesson of this project: For all the differences in the music of our time, the river of Africa flows through it all.

The key was to build DJIN DJIN on a Beninese foundation. The heartbeat, then, comes from percussionists Crespin Kpitiki and Benoit Avihoue, both members of Benin’s Gangbé Brass Band. Details of their country’s rhythmic heritage, specific in some cases to individual villages, feed the rhythms they lay down throughout the album.

To this mix Kidjo welcomes players whose backgrounds complement the idea of DJIN DJIN: drummer Poogie Bell, known for his work with Erykah Badu and Chaka Khan; funk keyboard wizard Amp Fiddler, whose credits include Prince and George Clinton; Larry Campbell, whose multi-instrumental work has adorned the music of Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, and Paul Simon; Senegalese bass giant Habib Faye, a fixture with Youssou N’Dour; guitarists Lionel Loueke, from jazz legend Herbie Hancock’s band; Romero Lubambo, a Brazilian wonder whose credits include Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves; Joao Mota, from Guinea-Bissau and kora master Mamadou Diabate.

Each player is a virtuoso but, more important, is open to taking creative chances. “It was important to me that all of these great musicians come with me back to my roots,” Kidjo says. “I’ve never compromised those roots because I know my identity, and I’ve learned that in order to give through music, you have to position yourself among other individuals who may be from different cultures and background and then find ways to discover that we’re actually not different at all.”

Kidjo set some of the new material on DJIN DJIN into the languages of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. She has written and sung extensively in French and English as well, but for this mission the lyrics came to her from further back in her history. The title track, “Djin Djin,” is a reminder to live each fleeting moment as fully as possible. Her songs embrace the joys and sorrows of life: the magic of birth (“Salala”), the uniqueness of each person even on this crowded planet (“Arouna”), the temptations of violence (“Mama Golo Papa”), the healing and learning potential of music (“Awan N’La”), the lessons offered as youth yields to age (“Sedjedo”) and isolation deepens in modern society (“Emma”).

But Kidjo doesn’t hold back her anger, expressed here toward wealthy classes enslaved by love of money (“Senamou (C’Est L’amour)”). She also looks forward to the day when leaving Africa to seek fortune far from home won't be the only solution for a desperate youth (“AE AE”). On her rendition of Sade’s “Pearls,” she extols women who are strong, yet suppressed and unable to escape the pain of existence. On another cover, a brilliant a cappella arrangement of Ravel’s Bolero entitled “Lonlon”, she illuminates the bridge that stretches from European classical music to the wellspring of northern Africa. And on “Gimme Shelter,” Kidjo transforms the Stones classic into an exuberant pan-national performance that nonetheless translates into a warning.

“This song means a lot to me,” she says. “Look at what’s going on: Fire is burning in our streets. Terrorists, in the name of God, are coming to destroy what we’ve worked for. If you don’t give shelter to the people who most need it, if you don’t treat them as your brothers and sisters, then what hope do we have?”

The contributions of stellar guest artists illuminate Kidjo’s concept. By finding a place for their distinctive talents within the marriage of African and Western influences, DJIN DJIN celebrates the beauty of diversity as well as the unity of cultures that Kidjo achieves through her music.

These giants include Peter Gabriel on “Salala” (“He’s done so much for African music; in fact, there’s something African in his way of singing, moving, and writing his songs”); Alicia Keys on “Djin Djin” (“When she heard the Beninese drums in the studio, she said, ‘Wow, this is hip-hop!’ She understood it perfectly – and she sang so beautifully”); Joss Stone on “Gimme Shelter” (“We’re friends, so when I played her what we were doing in the studio, and she insisted on being a part of it, I was so happy that we could make this happen”); Josh Groban on “Pearls” (“He sings so effortlessly,” Kidjo says, “and yet you know that it isn’t easy to sing at that level of virtuosity”); Ziggy Marley on “Sedjedo” (“He understands so well the connections between the music of Jamaica and the rhythm of Africa – especially the gogbahoun rhythm that comes from my village”), Carlos Santana on “Pearls” (“He’s not only a guitar player: With his guitar he sings, he dances, he swings, he cries – and he has huge respect for Africa”); Branford Marsalis on “Djin Djin” (“He’s my brother! When he plays, you never know what you’re going to hear or where his wonderful ideas will take the music”); and Amadou and Mariam on “Senamou” (“We go so far back as friends; it was a special blessing and a gift to have them on the album.”)

Producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, Morrissey) helps to bring each track on DJIN DJIN to full sonic bloom. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio in New York, with participants gathered in a studio made intimate by carpets, couches, and home-like accoutrements, these performances testify to the power of music to simultaneously unify and free those who make it and hear it.

“When we had finished our recording, we were all so sad because we had come together as a family, all within just two weeks,” Kidjo recalls. “Music brings us together, but after the music is over, you go back to your home, to your neighborhood, knowing that you can make a difference. You have to be proud of who you are. Whether you were born in America or Africa, you can celebrate life.”

Kidjo’s point is as simple as it is profound: The celebration only begins with DJIN DJIN and will last as long as you want it to after that.

Jenny Fletcher

An accomplished competitor and triathlete, Jenny Fletcher has already taken first place in the 2009 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, the 2009 Nautica South Beach Triathlon and the 2009 Los Angeles Triathlon.  She also came in second place in this year’s Avia Wildflower Triathlon and third in the Nautica New York City Triathlon.  At the 2009 Triathlon World Championships, Fletcher finished as the first Canadian in her age group and third Canadian woman overall.

Now in her fifth year of racing, Fletcher is taking her triathlons to a higher level, with goals of placing in the top overall as an Elite Amateur in each race.

With a variety of interests, Fletcher has been involved in a wide array of activities since a young age.  After participating in track and field, volleyball and basketball in school she moved on to tetrathlon, a sport consisting of running, swimming, shooting (air pistol) and cross-country horse jumping. 

At the age of 15, Fletcher was discovered by international modeling agency Mode Models and quickly learned to balance this with traveling around the world to complete with the Canadian National team in the modern pentathlon competition, which is similar to tetrathlon, at the World Championships.

After moving to New York City, Fletcher started running in marathons, which eventually led to her interest in triathlons.

Kevin Wall

Bringing further perspective to a 30-year career distinguished by a string of entrepreneurial successes, including his role in producing some of the world's most ambitious, media-convergent live musical events, Kevin Wall is founder and chief executive officer of Live Earth. Wall leads the transformation of Live Earth from a one-time musical event into an ongoing advocacy organization, seeking to combat climate change by reaching global audiences through the power of music.

In 2005 Wall founded Control Room to create live entertainment accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Its most potent realization came on 07/07/07 with "Live Earth," the 24-hour, seven-continent concert series which reached an estimated global audience of two billion. Inspired by the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Wall conceived a groundbreaking musical event that sought to deliver an urgent yet hopeful call to action on global warming. He designed the multimedia architecture, enlisted over 150 headlining artists and forged a matrix of strategic partnerships, including one with former Vice President and recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore and his organization, the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Previously innovating the "digital, platform-agnostic approach" now followed by major television networks, Wall executive produced "Live 8," tapping three decades of experience in music promotion and production, live television, the Internet, and venture capital investments in convergence technologies. The massive live event earned Wall an Emmy Award as it motivated millions of viewers worldwide to pressure Western governments to take action on African aid and debt relief. Wall's long career developing and producing hundreds of live musical shows also includes Bob Dylan's "30th Anniversary Concert Celebration" featuring Eric Clapton and George Harrison at Madison Square Garden, Michael Jackson's "The Dangerous Tour" live in Bucharest, "The Wall: Live in Berlin," "Amnesty International: Human Rights Now," "3 Tenors Live in Concert," and specials for Prince, Eric Clapton and Elton John. Early in his career, Wall established the first portable staging company to accommodate the staging, lighting and outdoor production needs of large stadium and arena concert tours by The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Who, among other artists.

In other business sectors, as vice chairman of iXL, a global Internet consulting firm, Wall led the strategic acquisition and organization of 42 Internet design and consulting companies to build a venture with 3,000 employees, 38 offices and annual revenues of over $400 million. A co-founder of Shelter Capital Partners, a $175 million venture capital fund, Wall is currently invested in a dozen companies in the semiconductor, software and convergence sectors. He recently acquired half-ownership of Ignition, an activation marketing agency which, under Wall, has expanded from a local Atlanta company to a global service provider.

Ian Barbour

Ian Barbour is the general manager of Dow Water Solutions, based in Edina, Minn. He is responsible for developing and implementing Dow's water strategy and oversees the global operations of the business, which numbers approximately 1,200 people and five manufacturing facilities across the globe.

Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, is dedicated to providing innovative, technology-based solutions to a broad spectrum of water needs—from making seawater fit for human consumption and industrial use, to contaminant removal in municipal water supplies, to purifying industrial and residential water, and reducing and reclaiming water used in industrial processing. Our commitment through innovation and expertise to provide a clean and safe water supply is an example of how the Human Element at Dow is contributing to a more sustainable world.

Barbour joined the Liquid Separations business in July 2000, and has spent the last eight years in the water industry growing Dow's business. As a 26-year employee of The Dow Chemical Company Barbour has led various company initiatives, including the acquisition of OMEX Environmental Engineering in July 2006 in China and launching the Dow Water Solutions business in September 2006.

Barbour's career at Dow has largely been based in the commercial arena with roles in sales, marketing, market research and supply chain for several business units.

Barbour was born in Pinetown, South Africa. He was educated in the United Kingdom, and holds a master's degree in psychology from the University of St. Andrew's, Scotland.

 

Paul Faeth

Paul Faeth is the President of Global Water Challenge. The goal of GWC is universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene education. Launched by a diverse coalition of corporations, foundations, and aid organizations, the GWC is a unique partnership to build healthy communities and provide sustainable, replicable, and scaleable solutions to ensure the availability of clean water and safe sanitation.

Before joining the GWC in January 2007, Faeth was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the World Resources Institute for five years. He was responsible for day-to-day operations at WRI including human resources, finances, operations and strategic planning, and supported external functions including fundraising and public relations.

Prior to that position, he lead the Economics Program at WRI, where he directed several efforts including collaborative work with industry on climate change policies; research on the sustainability of agriculture in the United States; research and implementation work on the application of emissions trading to improve water quality; and an assessment of trade and its impact on the environment. Faeth was WRI's Liaison to the Sustainable Agriculture Task Force of the President's Council on Sustainable Development organized by President Clinton. He directed WRI's effort to help a power company mitigate its carbon dioxide emissions through forestry activities in developing countries, resulting in the first project ever funded with the intention of balancing carbon dioxide emissions.

Faeth previously worked with the International Institute for Environment and Development and the USDA's Economic Research Service. He holds degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Florida and in Resource Policy from Dartmouth College.