Paul Ridlen is President of Knight Piésold USA and a member of the Board of Directors of the Knight Piésold global group of companies, with management responsibility for Knight Piésold’s operations in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. He has almost 30 years of experience in civil and geotechnical engineering related to mining, water resources, energy, and public infrastructure projects, with a specialty in tailings dam design, having supported the design and operation of some of the world’s largest tailings dams. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology. He began his career at Woodward-Clyde Consultants, and has also worked for Stone & Webster, S.H. Smith & Company, URS Corporation, and Tetra Tech before joining Knight Piésold in 2013. His management experience prior to joining Knight Piésold includes 3 years as Chief Operating Officer and 3 years as Chief Executive Officer at S.H. Smith & Company. He is currently licensed as a Professional Engineer in several of the United States and is a member of the U.S. Society of Dams, the Canadian Dam Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Commission on Large Dams and other professional organizations. He has authored several technical publications, including a co-author of the recent Proposed Best Practices for the Engineer of Record for Tailings Dams, published by the Geoprofessional Business Association.

Mr. Ridlen is married to Dr. Lucia Ridlen-Gonzalez and is the proud father of four children: Christina, Hannah, Sarah, and Isaac. He lives in Castle Pines, Colorado.

Leslie Johnston launched Laudes Foundation as its first Chief Executive Officer in January 2020, bringing over 20 years of management experience across multiple sectors. At Laudes Foundation, she is leading the development of its initial vision, strategy, and operating model to deliver on its aspiration for global markets that value all people and respect nature. Previously, she headed C&A Foundation as its Executive Director, repositioning it as a global catalyst to make fashion a force for good.