Peter Koehler Joins FBO Board of Directors

As a mediator and philanthropic leader, FBO’s new Board member brings a passion for changemaking through collaboration.

Peter Koehler, a trustee of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation,  joins the FBO Board of Directors.
Peter Koehler, a trustee of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, joins the FBO Board of Directors.

Foundations for a Better Oregon (FBO) is pleased to announce that Peter Koehler, principal of Koehler ADR LLC and a trustee of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, has been appointed to FBO’s Board of Directors. 

“Anyone who knows Peter knows the hallmarks of his leadership: empathy, humility, and a sharp instinct for expanding our sense of possibility,” said Martha Richards, Executive Director of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and Chair of FBO’s Board of Directors. “We are so pleased to have him join our Board at FBO as we advance a better Oregon that cares for the whole child.”

As a mediator, philanthropic leader, and community volunteer, Peter is deeply committed to changemaking through collaboration. He joins FBO as it builds new bridges between community, philanthropy, and policymakers, working together to ensure Oregon supports every child to learn, grow, and thrive. 

“Like FBO, I believe it’s critical to listen deeply to communities who are most affected by the decisions our state will make,” said Koehler. “Only then can we change the way we think and talk about public education in Oregon, and find the common ground that we know is out there.”


In 2020, Koehler was appointed by Governor Kate Brown to serve as the mediator between timber and environmental groups in a collaborative effort to re-craft Oregon’s forest practices on the state’s 10 million acres of private forest land. This effort led to a historic agreement to sustainably advance both a thriving forestry economy and fish habitat conservation in Oregon streams. Earlier in his career, Koehler was a trial lawyer and later served as corporate counsel for Nike, Inc., including as the vice president responsible for managing the global legal team.

“In both philosophy and practice, Peter’s approach to collaboration aligns so naturally with FBO’s mission,” said Whitney Grubbs, Executive Director of FBO. “His voice and counsel will be invaluable as we strive to realize a shared vision for Oregon children and the systems that serve them.”

A longtime supporter of the arts and education, Koehler is a member of the Board of Directors of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, an FBO member foundation for over 15 years. His commitment to building a better Oregon for future generations also includes serving on the board of directors for the Oregon Environmental Council and Classroom Law Project, as well as past board service in support of theater, visual arts, and equitable access to legal representation in Oregon. He lives in north Marion County on a working farm.