About SLI

The Sustainability Leadership Institute (SLI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) research and development organization that supports sustainability leaders who recognize they’ll never know quite enough—individually—about what it takes to respond efficiently and productively to the ever-changing complexity of their worlds.

Mary Ferdig, President/CEO

Mary A. Ferdig has served in consultancy, examiner, facilitation and teaching roles with numerous corporate, nonprofit and government organizations as well as university systems including Benedictine University, Chicago, IL and University of Herefordshire, Hatfield, UK and the University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE. She holds BS and MA degrees in human communication theory and psychology, and a PhD in complexity science, organizational development and change. As a seasoned practitioner, Ferdig facilitates strategic visioning, large-system cultural and performance management change, as well as difficult problem-solving and conflict negotiation conversations.

Paul Wright, VP of Collaboration

Paul Wright is US-based thinker, free lance writer, book consultant and principal of WrightWork Communications in addition to his Leadership role at SLI. He holds degrees at Berkeley in history and philosophy and a JD from Fordham. Paul’s work is grounded in a wide-ranging focus on business, work processes and communication. He also serves as a Guest Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China.