Foresight Design Initiative Staff
Specialist-Generalists
Foresight prides its self on having a staff of specialist-generalists, a term for individuals who excel in having a sufficient depth of knowledge in a broad range of fields. As such, they are able to assimilate large amounts of information in order to follow and stay ahead of diverse industry trends. The inherent multi-disciplinary nature of sustainability and system design create a special demand for specialist-generalists.
Peter Nicholson- Transformationist
Peter Nicholson is Executive Director of the Foresight Design Initiative, a nonprofit organization he established in 2002, and Principal of the organization's design practice. Through these positions, he leads a multifaceted career focused on the creative pursuit of greater social, environmental and economic sustainability. Peter consults on and undertakes innovative sustainable design projects for a diversity of clients, including government agencies, institutional nonprofits, and diverse businesses. Considered a highly adept discussion facilitator, he hosts Foresight's monthly Green Drinks panels and is in regular demand as a guest speaker and moderator. Peter is dedicated to the education of the next generation of sustainability-minded leaders and regularly mentors interns as well as teaches the Foresight Immersion program. Prior to establishing the Foresight Design Initiative, he held a variety of positions in the corporate and non-profit sectors. In each, he has consistently pursued growth and innovation. Peter began his study of Sustainability and Design at the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology and holds a bachelors degree from the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music. 
Uzma Noormohamed- Fusionist 1
As an Associate at the Foresight Design Initiative, Uzma develops and helps lead the organization's sustainability-related educational programs. In addition to this position, she is completing a master degree in Urban Policy at Northwestern University. Her research involves the use of market instruments and mandates to promote climate protection, with the belief that sustainable development is crucial to the long-term economic, security, and diplomacy interests of the United States. As an undergraduate studying Philosophy at DePaul University, Uzma received a generous Boren Scholarship to study development issues and Arabic in Cairo, Egypt. Prior to her current position, she spent several years in the private sector, working with a micro-banking institution that serves unbanked and underbanked individuals. A graduate of Foresight's intensive Immersion summer program, she is excited by the role of urban areas as laboratories for sustainable development in general, and the opportunities and resources in Chicago in particular. 
Bobbie Seltzer- Synergist
Bobbie joined Foresight staff nearly 5 years ago as Organization Administrator. She applies her vast experience from the corporate world, where she held positions in customer service, as office manager for a company that produced live industrial shows, a medical malpractice insurance underwriter, and as a bookkeeper for several small businesses, to Foresight's operations. A long-time gardener and composter, Bobbie's passion led to a career change. Getting out from behind a desk, she managed 5 chain-store garden centers and later an independent garden center in the western suburbs. As a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener (class of 2003) she has volunteered over 1000 hours in gardens throughout the city, including the Jackie R. Robinson School garden, which won the Mayor's Landscape Award for its Region in its first year. Bobbie currently serves on the board of the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) and serves on their Strategic Planning Task Force. On warm, sunny, dry days you might see Bobbie tooling around her north side neighborhood (or participating in Critical Mass) on her "classic" (aka ancient) 1970's bike. 
Polly Washburn- Visionist
As the Visionist for Foresight, Polly Washburn brings her two decades of experience in the non-profit, media and education fields. She is responsible for organizational capacity building, and collaborating on developing and delivering educational and innovation programs at Foresight. She has worked as an award-winning film and television producer; marketing and public relations specialist; print and web editor and journalist; and instructor and trainer for adults and youth. She has raised millions of dollars for non-profits, educational institutions and arts projects. Most recently, Polly was the Director of Development and Marketing for Growing Home, a Chicago social enterprise that provides job training and community education on its organic farms. Polly holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College. Polly spent her youth hiking and camping in Colorado, something she continues to do whenever possible in the US and Canadian Rockies. In Chicago, she enjoys kayaking and swimming in Lake Michigan, and biking the Lakefront Path.