Peter Beard

Peter Beard serves as senior vice president for Regional Workforce Development at Greater Houston Partnership whose mission is to make the Houston region the best place to live, work and build a business. He 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. UpSkill Houston works to ensure that the region’s businesses have access to workers that have skills and credentials for advanced and technical careers, and occupations that require education beyond a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.

Prior to joining Greater Houston Partnership, Peter served in executive roles at United Way Worldwide, Alexandria, Va., and the Fannie Mae Foundation, Washington, D.C. Prior to Fannie Mae Foundation, he served as the general counsel at Habitat for Humanity International, Americus, Ga., and was in private legal practice at Semmes, Bowen & Semmes, Baltimore, Md.

Peter is active in various community and civic causes. He serves on the boards of directors for Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions in Houston, Texas, Artspace Projects in Minneapolis, Minn., and Houston LISC’s Local Advisory Committee. He has also served on the board of directors for Paula Financial (PFCO).

Peter received his AB degree in economics from Davidson College (N.C.) and his JD, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law (N.Y.)