Introducing Gretchen Hund: Ploughshares’ New Chair

Ploughshares has entered a new chapter of leadership with the election of Gretchen Hund as its new Board Chair. Hund, a former Director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Center for Global Security, specialized in addressing emerging national security threats, including climate resilience. She came to her role on the board as a friend of former Ploughshares Director of Programs, Michelle Dover, and immediately dove into her role, bringing her unique perspective to the conversation. “I had the most fun at the intersection of topics that have a scientific or technological component, a public policy component, and a business component,” she says.

In a recent interview, Hund shared her insights on the challenges of her new role, and her aspirations for addressing the pressing issues of our time.

Navigating a Challenging Landscape

After six years on the Ploughshares Board, taking the helm of the Board at this moment is no small feat. Hund acknowledges the formidable global risks that define her tenure. “It is a scary time to step into this role,” she admits, noting the emotional toll of confronting issues like the ongoing conflict with Russia and the imperative to make the planet safer. Despite these challenges, Hund’s resolve is clear. “This is an important opportunity to make a positive impact,” she says, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of Ploughshares’ mission in today’s complex world.

Repositioning for Broader Engagement

Hund’s vision for Ploughshares includes supporting President Emma Belcher’s commitment to clarify Ploughshares’ positioning to appeal to a wider array of stakeholders. She supports the organization’s commitment to a balanced approach, in keeping with its non-partisan status as a 501(c)(3) and fostering constructive dialogues with groups that have historically been distant, such as military leaders.

“I would like to help increase the size of our audience,” Hund explains. By clarifying that Ploughshares is “not anti-defense, but anti-nuclear weapons,” she hopes to help create partnerships that highlight the untenable risks and exorbitant costs of nuclear modernization.

Hund envisions reframing nuclear deterrence in a way that resonates with modern realities. By engaging directly with military leaders, for example, Ploughshares can present itself as an ally in crafting smarter, safer security strategies. She recognizes that as a Board member, the most impactful role she can play is through offering support for the vision espoused by Dr. Belcher.

Expanding Ploughshares’ Role

Under Hund’s tenure as Board Chair, in collaboration with President Belcher and the Ploughshares team, the organization aims to continue its evolution from solely a grant-making organization to also becoming a dynamic field building organization. This progression would enable the organization to evolve its convening and catalyzing role within the broader peace and disarmament movement in addition to its grant-based support for those furthering Ploughshares mission to “reduce and eventually eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.”

Hund also hopes Ploughshares is able to effectively address the intersections of nuclear security with emerging global issues such as climate change and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence. “AI is the most obvious example,” she notes. “It could really change how nukes are perceived, how they could be used, and how they could be misused.” By tackling these “threat multipliers,” Hund hopes to see Ploughshares at the forefront of addressing the evolving landscape of global risks.

A Collaborative and Optimistic Approach

Hund’s optimism, deeply ingrained in her personality, fuels her determination to help Ploughshares through these challenging times. “I was just born as an optimist,” she says. “The time is right. We need to address these challenges, jump in with both feet, and do the best we can.”

Collaboration is a cornerstone of her approach. Hund emphasizes the importance of listening to and working alongside other organizations to ensure mutual respect and shared progress. “Nobody’s in a better position to tackle this than we are right now,” she asserts. “But we must play a ‘we’ role, not a ‘me’ or ‘I’ role.”

A Purpose-Driven Leadership

Hund’s professional background—focused on export controls and the financial pathways of dual-use technologies—offers a unique perspective on her role as Chair. While not a technical expert on weapons systems, her expertise in understanding complex systems and navigating global challenges equips her to help guide Ploughshares through its next chapter.

With a clear sense of purpose, Hund is poised to play a key role in helping Ploughshares enter into a new era of impactful work. Her leadership promises to help deepen the organization’s role in fostering peace and security while addressing the emerging challenges that define our world.