Simon Billenness

Described by the New York Times "a super-specialist" in human rights advocacy, Simon Billenness has over 20 years of experience helping investors, non-profits, universities, communities, and unions use their power to hold corporations accountable. At the socially responsible investment firm Trillium Asset Management, Simon Billenness pioneered the use of shareholder pressure on oil, gas, and mining companies operating in countries racked by conflict and burdened by repressive regimes in Burma, China, East Timor, and Nigeria. He also worked with Greenpeace and U.S. PIRG to file the first shareholder resolutions at BP on climate change. As part of the Free Burma movement, He also championed the use of state and local Burma selective purchasing and investment laws. He co-authored the Massachusetts Burma Law with state rep. Byron Rushing and led the campaign to first enact and then defend the law from challenge at the World Trade Organization and in the U.S. Supreme Court. At Oxfam America, he helped communities around the world affected by Newmont - and other mining companies - organize support from shareholders and campaign to protect their lands and livelihoods. He also created a coalition of social investors that successfully pressed Procter & Gamble to start offering Fair Trade Certified coffee through its Millstone brand. As Co-chair of the Business and Human Rights Group of Amnesty International USA, Simon Billenness has built the capacity of staff and members to put effective pressure on companies to respect human rights. In this role, he often advises students, administrators, and faculty on how to influence university endowment investment policies. Simon Billenness currently serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Committee on Socially Responsible Investment of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He is also an advisory board member of both SumOfUs and the Harry Potter Alliance.