Peter Beard

In his role, Peter leads the Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative—a business led effort that works with employers, educational institutions, community-based organizations, and the public workforce system to develop collective solutions that close the skills gap in Houston. UpSkill Houston seeks to ensure that the region’s businesses have access to workers that have the necessary skills and credentials for “middle skills” careers in the key industry sectors that drive Houston’s regional economy and anchor its global economic competitiveness. See Upskill Houston Website

Prior to joining Greater Houston Partnership, Peter served as Senior Vice President for Community Impact at United Way Worldwide in Alexandria, VA. He also served as an executive at the Fannie Mae Foundation in Washington, DC. Prior to Fannie Mae Foundation, he served as the general counsel at Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, GA, and was in private legal practice at Semmes, Bowen & Semmes in Baltimore, MD. Peter is active in various community and civic causes. He serves on the boards of directors for Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions (Houston, TX), Artspace Projects (Minneapolis, MN), Victoria Foundation (Phoenix, AZ), and Share-Capital Foundation (Montour Falls, NY). He has also served on the boards of directors of Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland and Paula Financial (PFCO). Peter received his A.B. in economics from Davidson College (NC) and J.D. (magna cum laude) from Syracuse University College of Law (NY).