Ecosystems Marketplace: Mark Tercek — Investment Banker Brings Market Finesse to Conservation
Editor’s note: We’re pleased to bring you this profile of The Nature Conservancy’s new president and CEO, Mark Tercek by Cameron Walker, a regular contributor to The Katoomba Group’s Ecosystem Marketplace. This post was originally published on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.
The new head of the Nature Conservancy is a 24-year Goldman Sachs vet who thinks big and acts globally. The Ecosystem Marketplace talks to Mark Tercek about his past success, his current challenges and his vision for TNC’s future.
Mark Tercek’s kids are stoked. They’ve been on family eco-vacations to Greenland, Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica — and now, their dad is in charge of a conservation powerhouse that protects many of the spots they’ve visited.
Tercek, who became president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) July 15, ran Goldman Sachs’ Center for Environmental Markets and the firm’s Environmental Strategy Group.
Growing up in Cleveland, Tercek didn’t have extensive exposure to the natural world apart from local parks. Now as a parent of four, he’s gone global so that his own kids can experience nature firsthand.
Clearly, they love it. “When my kids learned I got the job as head of the Conservancy, they were just as excited as I was,” he says.
Along with enthusiasm, Tercek arrives at TNC with decades of experience in the investment banking world and, since 2005, he’s been bridging the narrowing gap between finance and conservation through Goldman Sachs’ environmental initiatives.
Editor’s note: We’re always happy to share green and ethical financial opportunities with you. We ask that you remember that we’re not financial advisors, though, so we are sharing… not recommending. Always do your own homework before making an investment.
Editor’s note: As you’ll figure out from reading Christan’s posts, she watches the markets for clean technology and alternative fuels very closely. At the same time, though, she’s not a licensed financial advisor, so nothing in her posts should be taken as advice to buy, sell, or otherwise take action in the markets. She’s not trying to push anything here — just offering her observations.
Editor's note: Please welcome our newest writer, Christan Wasniewski. Based in St. Louis, Christan has worked in the world of international finance, and is now in the process of starting up the non-profit International Poverty Solutions, Inc., which will incubate and support businesses focused on alleviating international poverty, and finding market-based solutions to environmental challenges. 
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