Josh Knauer is the Director of Advanced Development at MAYA Design Inc., which is creating the technology to unite the world’s factual data into a single Information Commons that is an always-available public resource. An information activist focused on keeping public data free and easily accessible, Knauer is an expert on how new models of distributed computing can support information sharing among non-profits, community organizations, and government agencies.

For over a decade, Knauer has pioneered ways for the Internet to empower activists and consumers. He founded EnviroLink, the Internet’s largest and most complete environmental information resource, in 1991. He also founded Greenmarkteplace.com, an e-commerce site for socially and environmentally responsible products, services, and information. In 2002, Knauer sold GreenMarketplace.com to Gaiam.

Knauer and his progressive online work have been featured in Time Magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” special issue. He is a member of the Social Venture Network, and is on the boards of the Institute for Global Communications, Allegheny Sierra Club, EnviroLink, Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh and a former board member of the Fiber Council of the Organic Trade Association. He has a degree in Environmental Ethics and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.

• InfoCommons: An Open Platform for Public Data