Kate Williams of “1% for the Planet” will keynote LA’s 226th commencement

Groton, MA – Kate Williams of “1% for the Planet” will keynote the 226th commencement exercises of Lawrence Academy.

Devoted to balancing her passion for spending time outdoors with her commitment to doing the often desk-bound work of stewarding and advocating for outdoor places, Ms. Williams stepped into the role of CEO at 1% for the Planet – a global and diverse network, which proves that anyone can make a difference – in May 2015.

Kate brought a strong track record as a leader to the non-profit company, including roles as Board Chair of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), as Executive Director of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, as founder and owner of a farm business enterprise, and as an elected political leader in her community.

Ms. Williams also brings a deep passion for and commitment to the power of collective action; a call for action currently taken up on the LA campus by the student-led Lawrence Academy Environmental Sustainability Council.

“When people come together across traditional boundaries to solve complex problems, they create an unstoppable force,” she says. “It is my best hope that I can lead by creating and supporting these kinds of powerful connections.”

Williams earned a BA at Princeton University where she majored in history, and an MS at the MIT Sloan School of Management where she focused on Systems Theory.

Kate lives in Vermont with her husband and two children.

Head of School Dan Scheibe will lead LA’s graduation proceedings on May 31 on the Quad. Joining Ms. Williams at the podium will be Class of 2019 students elected to speak by their classmates.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Lawrence Academy Communications Office.