Marianne Gerdes is the Executive Director of the Ilan-Lael Foundation, of which the Pacific Rim Park peace project is one its most important programs. In 1994, Pacific Rim Park and the Ilan-Lael Foundation, under the artistic direction of artist James Hubbell, launched a global conversation between San Diego and Pacific Rim nations exploring the transformative power of art and the artistic process. This resulted in seven public art parks that now unite the diverse people and nations of the Pacific. The parks transcend language and cultural barriers, and explore and celebrate our common humanity. Ms. Gerdes facilitates relationships with governments, and public and private organizations who partner in this international project. Ms. Gerdes is also an award-winning film maker, and the recipient of five Pacific Southwest Emmy awards for excellence in television program, and is a National Association of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle member for 25 years of outstanding contribution to San Diego’s broadcast television community. She’s been recognized for her work documenting San Diego’s historical legacy. She also holds an IABC Business Communicators Award and was a nominee for San Diego Magazine’s Women Who Move The City, Woman of the Year.