Claude G.B. Fontheim
Chief Executive Officer
Claude Fontheim is the CEO of Fontheim International, LLC, Non-Executive Chair of civil society organization GlobalWorks Foundation, and Co-Founder and Senior Advisor to the American Leadership Initiative.
Mr. Fontheim was among the first practitioners in the field now known as ESG (environment, society & governance) and has long been involved the development and implementation of U.S. international trade policy and legislation. He has also long advised global businesses, civil society organizations, government officials, and Presidential and congressional campaigns regarding international trade, global development, and foreign policy matters. Mr. Fontheim’s extensive nonprofit activities include service on the following boards of directors:
GlobalWorks Foundation provides capacity building, training and thought leadership regarding business and human rights.
American Leadership Initiative works with policy makers, and thought leaders from business, civil society, and think tanks to develop new policy strategies in trade, aid, and foreign policy.
Member, Board of Directors: NewDEAL Forum supports outstanding state and local elected officials in the United States through education and professional development programs.
Member, Board of Directors: Center for International Private Enterprise, which is a core institution of the National Endowment for Democracy.
Chair, Advisory Council, GoodWeave International. Mr. Fontheim previously served as board of directors Chair of GoodWeave, one of the world’s leading civil society organizations working to eliminate child, forced and bonded labor from global supply chains.
He also serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Michigan – Michigan in Washington Program where he and his family have endowed a scholarship for students who would otherwise be unable to afford participation.
Mr. Fontheim served previously on the President’s Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations, as well as the advisory committees on Africa for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and on international economic policy for the State Department. He was also a partner in a global law firm, served on the board of the Alliance to End Hunger, and has been politically active for many years.
Mr. Fontheim received his J.D., M.P.P., and B.A. from the University of Michigan where he graduated with High Honors, High Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, and was Managing Editor of Michigan’s international law publication.