Matthew King, Ph.D.

Founder, CEO, and Board Member

Dr. Matthew King is a bold writer, creative advisor, fearless explorer, and pioneering leader. As the CEO of the COMMON Foundation, he leads and advises social entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and conservationists who dare to make a positive social and environmental impact.

He is a student of the world. He’s been to every continent except Antarctica, completed learning expeditions to over 40 countries, lived in five, and studied in four—completing his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge.

His journey has taken him to incredible heights and depths. He’s dived the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and trekked the Rockies, Andes, Great Dividing Range, Cascades, and more. Yet, his most transformative journey has been from head to heart.

His adventures aren’t limited to geographical expeditions. He’s embarked on a profound inner odyssey, seeking wisdom and enlightenment through philosophy, spirituality, and literature. And the universe rewarded him with a revelation in 2012 when he met his best teacher of any – cancer. Defying all odds, with less than a 15% chance of survival, he discovered his true purpose: to create and inspire.

Ergo, he has been focusing his energy on creative pursuits – from serving the COMMON Foundation to producing art to writing fiction and non-fiction while managing a portfolio of property and investments. Oh, yeah, he’s also writing a novel, contemporary dystopian fiction, that will transport you to realms never imagined!

His vision is to live a life brimming with balance and creativity. He thrives on teaching, advising, mentoring, and learning from the unstoppable forces of youth, peers, and professionals driving mind-blowing change. He strives to increase awareness of our unique place in the cosmos, our connection to all life on Earth, and the imperative to protect it for future generations.

Dr. King has lent his expertise to governments, universities, non-profits, think tanks, and the private sector, shaking up the status quo across the globe. His insights have graced the pages of publications like the BBC, Journal of Biological Conservation, Marine Policy Journal, Earth Island Journal, Mongabay, World Watch Institute, UN Peacebuilding Commission, and more.

His honors and awards include, but are not limited to: United States Presidential Management Fellow (Clinton and Bush Administrations); Marshall Memorial Fellow, German Marshall Fund; U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award Recipient for “unusual creative ability affecting major programs and scientific accomplishments.” Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society; Postgraduate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society/Institute of British Geographers; Kinship Conservation Fellow; Founding Member of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association, Distinguished Alumnus Lectureship in Politics and Law, University of Tulsa, Department of Political Science; Founding Member of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association; Roster Member, US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, Morris K. Udall Foundation; Member Association of American Geographers; AAG International Research and Scholarly Exchange Committee 2006 – 2007; College Geography and Education Committee, Association of American Geographers July 2007 –2009; Member American Anthropological Association; Member of the Society for Latin American Studies; Member Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. You can read his full bio here and check out his website.