Josh Knauer
President and CEO
Josh has been a social entrepreneur for the past 20 years, creating and leading successful organizations in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. His ability to spot emerging trends in technology and how they can be used for the betterment of society and the environment have caused him to be considered a leading expert in the field. In Spring of 2010, Josh was appointed by the Obama Administration to a working group of President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He’s been featured in Time, Fortune, Newsweek and Wired magazines, and was even named a New Media Hero by the Utne Reader.
Prior to Rhiza Labs, Josh led MAYA Design’s Information Commons project. Before that, he founded and served as CEO of Green Marketplace, a clearing-house for socially and environmentally responsible products, services and information, which he sold to Gaiam in 2002. In 1991, Josh founded and served as Executive Director of the EnviroLink Network, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping organizations adopt emerging technologies, and was one of the first .orgs on the Internet.
Involvement in the community is very important to Josh. He enjoys speaking with students about being an entrepreneur and has mentored many up-and-coming entrepreneurs who are creating socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Beyond supporting many community organizations with time and donations, he currently serves on the following Boards of Directors:
- Social Venture Network (member since 1999)
- International Development Exchange (IDEX)
- Institute for Global Communications
- EnviroLink Network
- Rhiza Labs
- Call2Action
Josh has, in the past, served on the following Boards:
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
- Community Design Center of Pittsburgh
- Regional Development Funding Corporation
- Organic Trade Association’s Fiber Council
- Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club
- Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh
Josh lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife, children and dogs. When not starting up a new business, he can be found in his garden tending organic and heirloom vegetables or out hiking in the woods.
