GEAPP Leadership Council (GLC)

Jonas Støre has served as Norway’s Prime Minister since 2021 and has led the Labour Party since 2014. He was Norway’s Foreign Minister (2005–2012) and Minister of Health (2012–2013). Since 1989, he has held senior roles in government, including Diplomatic Advisor, Director General of the International Department, and Chief of Staff at the WHO. He also served as Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross. Støre studied at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and earned a political science degree from Sciences Po Paris.

Dr. Rajiv Shah is President of The Rockefeller Foundation, leading efforts to advance global well-being through science, data, and innovation. He helped raise over $1B for COVID-19 relief, launched the Pandemic Prevention Institute, and founded the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. Formerly USAID Administrator, he also held roles at the USDA, Gates Foundation, and UN. Dr. Shah holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Penn Medicine, and Wharton, and has received multiple honors including the Thomas Jefferson Medal.

Achim Steiner served as Executive Director of UNEP (2006–2016), following roles as Director General of IUCN and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams. He was also Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi. With a global career spanning countries like India, South Africa, Germany, and Vietnam, Steiner has advanced sustainability, equity, and development at grassroots and international levels. He serves on multiple advisory boards, including as Vice Chair of the China Council on Environment and Development, and has received numerous global honors.

Ajay Banga is President of the World Bank Group, beginning his term in May 2023 after being nominated by President Joe Biden. Previously, he was Vice Chairman at General Atlantic and CEO of Mastercard, where he founded the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. His global career includes leadership roles at Citigroup, Nestlé, and PepsiCo. He has served as Chairman of Exor and Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America. Banga holds degrees from St. Stephen’s College and IIM Ahmedabad, and has received honors including the Padma Shri and Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Ashish Khanna leads the World Bank’s West and Central Africa Energy Program and Mission 300, aiming to bring energy access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. With 26+ years of experience in 15+ countries, he has advanced solar energy across design, financing, and implementation. He previously led a $20B energy investment in Egypt and solar reforms in India. Born in India, his personal experience with energy access fuels his commitment to sustainability. He holds dual master’s degrees and is a Littauer Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina is President of the African Development Bank Group, first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. Known as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief,” he previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, where he ended corruption and introduced an e-wallet system reaching 15 million farmers. A bold reformer, he led the Bank’s largest capital increase, from $93B to $208B. Dr. Adesina holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and is widely recognized for advancing development and economic transformation across Africa.

Børge Brende has been President of the World Economic Forum since 2017, following roles as WEF managing director and involvement with the China Council on Environment and Development. He previously served as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Environment, and held key roles in Parliament and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Brende was Secretary General of Red Cross Norway and serves on numerous global advisory boards. He studied Economics, Law, and History at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has received multiple international honors.

Damilola Ogunbiyi is CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. A global leader in energy access and sustainability, she previously led Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency and served as Senior Special Assistant on Power to the President. She is a commissioner with the Energy Transitions Commission and the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty, and is a strong advocate for renewable energy’s role in healthcare, economic recovery, and empowering women and youth.

Doug Varley is Interim President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund after previously serving as General Counsel. Before joining the Earth Fund, Mr. Varley was a member of the DC-based law firm, Caplin & Drysdale where he served most recently as President and head of the exempt organizations practice. For more than 25 years, he has worked with national and international environmental organizations on a wide range of legal matters and has served on multiple nonprofit boards. He holds B.A. and JD degrees from the University of Virginia and an MA from the University of Chicago.

Fatih Birol has been Executive Director of the International Energy Agency since 2015, leading its first major modernization to engage emerging economies and expand its role as a hub for clean energy transitions and broader energy security. Under his leadership, the IEA now covers electricity, natural gas, renewables, and critical minerals. Named to the TIME100 list, Dr. Birol has received numerous honors, including the French Legion of Honour, Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, and top state decorations from Austria, Germany, Italy, and Sweden.

Frederick Teo is CEO of GenZero, where he drives strategy to achieve climate impact and sustainable financial returns. Previously, he spent 12 years at Temasek International in roles spanning sustainability and portfolio management, leading projects like Climate Impact X and Singapore’s first brownfield district cooling retrofit. He serves on global advisory boards including SEforALL and WEF’s Global Future Council. Teo holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Oxford University.

Francesco La Camera has been Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since April 2019. With over 30 years of experience in climate policy and international cooperation, he leads IRENA’s efforts to support member states with a more action-driven approach to the global energy transition. Under his leadership, IRENA has deepened partnerships with UNDP, UNFCCC, and the Green Climate Fund to accelerate renewable energy deployment and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ilan Goldfajn has been President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) since November 2022. He previously led the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, where he guided countries through economic challenges and launched the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. As former Governor of Brazil’s Central Bank, he curbed inflation, lowered interest rates, and promoted financial inclusion. He has held key roles in Brazil’s financial sector and global institutions. Goldfajn holds a PhD in Economics from MIT and is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Hebrew.

Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven has been Managing Director of GIZ, Germany’s leading development agency, since 2020. Previously, she was Director General for Global Issues at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, playing a key role in the Paris Agreement negotiations. She has held leadership roles in global initiatives including the Green Climate Fund, GAVI, and the Global Fund. Hoven studied economics and political science at Justus Liebig University in Giessen and Paris IX Dauphine University.

Jessica Anderen became CEO of the IKEA Foundation in January 2024, bringing 30+ years of global leadership across the IKEA value chain. Formerly CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Switzerland, she championed diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. A strong advocate for value-based leadership and social impact, she serves on several boards and advises on social entrepreneurship. She studied economics in Sweden and is guided by her purpose-driven mantra: “be the change, lead with purpose.”

Jessica Uhl is President of GE Vernova and Executive Co-Chair of the Mission Possible Partnership, leading efforts to decarbonize high-emitting industries. Formerly CFO of Shell plc, she helped drive the company’s net-zero transition and transparency initiatives. She serves on the boards of GE, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy, and advises Breakthrough Energy. Uhl holds degrees from UC Berkeley and INSEAD and has been named among Forbes’ and Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women” for her global and business leadership.

Jin Liqun is President and Chair of the Board of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), now in his second term since January 2021. As AIIB’s first president, he was instrumental in its founding and has been a key figure in global economic affairs for over 20 years. He previously held senior roles at China International Capital Corporation, China Investment Corporation, and the Asian Development Bank. President Jin holds a Master of Arts in English from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Jon Creyts is CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a role he assumed in 2022 after over a decade as Chief Program and Strategy Officer. With a background in engineering and sustainability, he has led global efforts to drive the energy transition. Previously, he spent 11 years at McKinsey & Company, where he co-founded its Sustainability Practice. Dr. Creyts serves on advisory boards including the Mission Possible Partnership, Energy Transitions Commission, and WEF’s Global Future Council. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley.

Kelly Sims Gallagher is Dean and Professor at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, where she leads the Climate Policy Lab and the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy. A climate policy and energy innovation expert, she served in the Obama Administration as a Senior Policy Advisor and China Advisor. She is a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment, a board member at Harvard’s Belfer Center, and serves on several advisory boards. Her work focuses on low-carbon development, and she is the author of several books on clean energy and climate policy.

Leslie Maasdorp is the former Vice-President and CFO of the New Development Bank (NDB), where he helped establish the BRICS development bank’s financial strategy and managed its capital markets and investment decisions. With a career in global finance and public service, he held senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He also contributed to restructuring South Africa’s state-owned enterprises post-apartheid. Mr. Maasdorp holds degrees in Economics from the University of the Western Cape and SOAS, University of London.

Mafalda Duarte is Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, a role she assumed in August 2023. She brings decades of experience advancing climate-focused investment across public and private sectors. Previously, she was CEO of the Climate Investment Funds, managing a multibillion-dollar portfolio supporting clean energy, land use, and resilience in 70+ countries. She has also held senior roles at the African Development Bank and World Bank. Duarte holds a Master’s in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University.

Makhtar Diop is Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), leading sustainable infrastructure and private sector development in emerging markets since 2021. Previously, he was the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa, overseeing $70B in support and advancing renewable energy and regional integration. He also served as Senegal’s Minister of Economy and Finance and held senior roles at the World Bank in Latin America. Diop studied economics at the Universities of Warwick and Nottingham and was a Regents’ Lecturer at UC Berkeley.

Masato Kanda is President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Chairperson of its Board of Directors, assuming office in February 2025. With nearly four decades in international finance and development policy, he is known for his leadership during market volatility. As Japan’s Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, he advanced innovative financial solutions. He has held key roles in Japan’s Ministry of Finance and chaired the OECD Corporate Governance Committee. Kanda holds degrees from the University of Tokyo and Oxford University.

Nadia Calviño is President of the European Investment Bank, with over 30 years of experience in public policy, economics, and finance. She previously held senior roles in the Spanish government, including First Vice-President and Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, and served at the European Commission. From 2022 to 2023, she chaired the IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), helping shape global economic policy.

Patricia Espinosa is Founding Partner and CEO of onepoint5, an ESG consulting firm focused on climate change. A diplomat with 35+ years of experience, she is a leading voice in global sustainability and multilateral negotiations. She previously served as Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC (2016–2022), Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to several European nations. Named Ambassador Emeritus of Mexico, she has been widely recognized for her contributions to diplomacy, sustainability, gender equality, and human rights.

Paul Polman is a business leader and sustainability advocate accelerating action on climate and inequality. As CEO of Unilever (2009–2019), he grew shareholder value by 290% while leading in sustainability and employee satisfaction. He now champions the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supports initiatives like the UN Global Compact, Race to Zero, and Race to Resilience. Polman chairs Oxford Saïd Business School and mentors future leaders through INSEAD, IESE, and One Young World. His book Net Positive explores how business can thrive by addressing global challenges.

Rania Al-Mashat is Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and formerly the country’s first female Minister of Tourism. A seasoned economist, she has held senior roles at the IMF and Central Bank of Egypt, focusing on monetary policy and reform. She represents Egypt in global financial institutions and serves on boards including WEF’s MENA Stewardship Board. Dr. Al-Mashat holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and has been recognized with multiple global leadership awards.

Rémy Rioux has been CEO of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) since 2016, reappointed by President Macron in 2019. A champion of development and Africa, he previously held senior roles in France’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance and helped lead the finance agenda for COP21. He chairs the International Development Finance Club and leads the Finance in Common Executive Board. In 2020, he launched the first Finance in Common Summit, uniting 450+ public development banks to align finance with the SDGs and Paris Agreement.

Sumant Sinha is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ReNew, a Nasdaq-listed leader in decarbonization solutions. A global entrepreneur and climate thought leader, he founded ReNew in 2011 to accelerate a just and inclusive energy transition. Under his leadership, ReNew has built a ~16.3 GW green portfolio and drives innovations in solar, storage, carbon markets, and green hydrogen. He chairs RMI’s board, co-chairs the WEF CEO Climate Alliance, and has earned global honors, including TIME100 Climate Leader and UN SDG Pioneer recognitions.

Tariye Gbadegesin is a climate finance executive with 20+ years of experience in emerging markets, mobilizing over $3B for energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects. She has led the design of blended finance platforms and held roles at the IMF, BCG, PwC, and Africa Finance Corporation. Tariye advises organizations like CPI’s Global Innovation Lab and GFANZ’s African Advisory Board. She holds a BA in economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a U.S. and Nigerian national.

Vera Songwe is Co-Chair of the UN High-Level Climate Panel and former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa—the first woman to lead the institution in 60 years. A renowned economist, she has championed economic transformation across Africa. Previously, she served as Regional Director at the International Finance Corporation. Dr. Songwe has been recognized among Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women by Forbesand one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by Jeune Afrique and New African Magazine.

Ravi Venkatesan is the chairman of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and founder of the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME). He is also UNICEF’s Special Representative for Young People and Innovation and serves on the Boards of The Rockefeller Foundation and Hitachi Ltd. Ravi has previously also served as the chairman of Microsoft India, Bank of Baroda and Cummins India and co-chairman of Infosys Limited. He has a B. Tech from IIT Bombay, an MS from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Woochong Um is CEO of GEAPP, leading efforts to mobilize finance and accelerate renewable energy adoption to address energy poverty and climate challenges. Formerly Managing Director General at ADB, he drove global partnerships and climate initiatives, including the Energy Transition Mechanism to phase out coal in Asia. He has advanced funding for ocean sustainability and clean energy transitions. With a background in corporate IT and development finance, he brings decades of experience in climate action and sustainable development.