The WCI Team

A Director of the World Coal Institute since 2003, Dr Don Elder is Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand's largest energy producer. Solid Energy produces and distributes coal, biomass, biofuels, coal bed methane and solar and is a leading participant in new energy research and commercialisation including CCS, alternative energy and waste re-use.

Dr Elder completed his DPhil at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship then worked for 17 years in the engineering and environmental industries in the UK, Canada and the US before returning to NZ in 2000 to take up his current position. He has been on the boards of many companies, industry, business and community organisations in Canada and New Zealand including, at present, ASB Bank, one of New Zealand's four leading banks.

Dr Elder is also the Deputy Chairman of the Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Richard joined the WCI team in October 2007. In his Policy Officer role, he is responsible for assisting with all aspects of WCI's policy work and communications. Richard holds a degree in economics and an MSc in environmental management.

Milton has been Chief Executive of the WCI since January 2005. He also serves on the Expert Advisory Panel to Tony Blair's Breaking the Deadlock climate change initiative and is a member of the IEA Coal Industry Advisory Board.

Prior to joining the WCI, he worked with the UN Environment Programme, where as Chief of Partnerships & Public Affairs, he created a public-private partnership programme for the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes.

At the national level he has worked in the Australian Departments of the Prime Minister; Finance; and Environment. He was a chief negotiator for Australia on both the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change (1996 - 1998) and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and has a Masters in Public Policy (ANU 1990)

He has received Awards for his environmental work from Australia (2001: "significant and sustained contribution to the achievements of Environment Australia"); the USA (2003 EPA Stratospheric Protection Award); and the UN (2007 Montreal Protocol Outstanding Contributors Award).

Katie is responsible for WCI's communication activities, including WCI's publications, the website, and media engagement. Katie was editor of World Coal magazine prior to taking up her role with WCI. She has a degree in history and politics.