Our people
The Climate Governance Initiative’s Executive team is based in Cambridge. Its operations are overseen by the Board of Trustees of the Chapter Zero Alliance.
Executive team
Emily Farnworth
Executive Director
Emily Farnworth is the CEO of Chapter Zero Alliance and Executive Director of the Climate Governance Initiative. A Fellow at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, she is a globally recognised leader in accelerating climate action through bold, cross-sector collaboration.
With over 25 years at the intersection of business, government, and civil society, Emily has built a career on mobilising powerful coalitions to tackle the climate crisis. She has a proven ability to convene senior decision-makers and drive systemic change towards a low-carbon, resilient future.
As former Head of Climate Initiatives at the World Economic Forum, Emily was instrumental in launching game-changing platforms including the Climate Governance Initiative, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, the Mission Possible Partnership, and the Natural Climate Solutions Alliance. These initiatives have shaped global climate ambition and action, building on earlier success with RE100—an award-winning campaign driving corporate demand for renewable energy worldwide.
Before transitioning to the non-profit world, Emily spent more than a decade in environmental consultancy with ERM and URS, later founding her own firm to advise senior leaders on sustainability strategy.
She currently serves on the board of Chapter Zero, supporting non-executive directors in climate governance, and is a Cambridge Zero Fellow contributing to cutting-edge research and policy development. Emily holds a Master’s in Environmental Science, Management and Law from Brunel University London.
Lisa Abwa
Management Accountant
Lisa is a qualified accountant with close to 15 years’ experience working with non-governmental organisations and social enterprises. As Management Accountant, she supports the financial reporting, budgeting, audits and funder reporting at the Climate Governance Initiative.
Lisa also has an MSc in Environmental Sciences and Bachelors in Geography
Rachel Allen
Senior Manager, Knowledge Exchange
Rachel has a Natural Sciences degree from the University of Cambridge and specalised in atmospheric chemistry for her Master’s project dissertation. Rachel manages the delivery of written briefings, toolkits and case studies from the Initiative and its partners. Rachel also works as a Project Fellow in the Net Zero Pillar of the World Economic Forum, a founding partner of the Climate Governance Initiative.
Daniel Aspel
Senior Communications Manager (Maternity Cover)
Dan is the Senior Communications Manager (Maternity Cover) for the Climate Governance Initiative. He has an undergraduate degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Journalism. His career so far has spanned: numerous editorial roles on national newspapers and magazines; freelance writing, podcast and videography services; and seven years as Communications Manager for the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, part of the University of Cambridge.
Sylvie Baird
Associate Director, Strategy & Governance
Sylvie was the Secretariat’s first employee in September 2020 and now oversees its business operations, implementation of the Climate Governance Initiative strategy and its impact. Sylvie studied modern languages at Cambridge University and subsequently an MBA at the Open University Business School, whilst working at Save the Children.
Simon Bowen
Programme Director – Financial Sector Programme
Simon has wide experience of leading programmes, operations, policy, risk, strategy and governance functions in UK government departments and financial services. Most recently, he was Head of Governance and Strategy for a directorate within the international group of HM Treasury. Simon holds an undergraduate degree in politics and international relations from the University of Hull and a master’s in international relations from the University of Cambridge. Simon’s master’s thesis focused on central banks’ developing role in re-positioning financial market rules within global climate governance regimes.
Charlene Cranny
Senior Programme Manager – Financial Sector Programme
Charlene is a Chartered Sustainable Investment and Finance professional with extensive experience in investment and finance industry associations. She has led policy and market interventions for fair, inclusive and regenerative economies, and at Volans acted as a consultant to FS companies on future-thinking and sustainability best practice and innovation. She is the founder of “Economy of Good”, through which she promotes ethical personal finance to mainstream media audiences.
Gavin Franks
Digital Communications Executive
Gavin is the Digital Communications Executive. He works to ensure the Initiative’s digital communications are agile, consistent and effectively reach their target audiences. He also enhances and disseminates messaging and content across multiple digital platforms. Gavin achieves this by utilising creative and technical skills he has gained across his marketing career over the past 16 years.
Barry Fuchs
Senior Partnerships Manager
Barry is Senior Partnerships Manager, working to develop and strengthen agreements with the key partners that help the Initiative achieve its goals and objectives. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Barry has previously held several roles within Hughes Hall, where CCE is based, and worked with member-driven organisations throughout his career.
Kirby Fullerton
Senior Manager, Chapter Engagement
Kirby is the Senior Community Engagement Manager at the Climate Governance Initiative, working to enable CGI Chapters to drive global impact. Her career so far has focused on membership development and partnership account management at the Royal Society of Arts. She studied Social Anthropology with Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh and holds an MA in Multi-Disciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge.
Zoe Harris
Project Manager
Zoe holds a degree in Business Enterprise and a Masters in Cultures and Organisational Leadership. She is the Climate Governance Initiative’s Project Manager and comes from a background in student recruitment, comms, business development and project management within the University of Cambridge and other UK institutions. Zoe has built a broad experience base of collaborations, setting up new business functions, managing processes and organising knowledge to gain business insights.
Harriet Harthan
Head of Knowledge Exchange
Harriet is Head of Knowledge Exchange at the Climate Governance Initiative. She works across the Initiative teams, partners and chapters to shape and oversee development and transfer of knowledge and content that will equip board directors across the world to accelerate climate action. Harriet was previously Head of Content at the Centre for Climate Engagement where she managed research translation and content development activity to deliver targeted outputs for board directors, practitioners and policymakers. She brings over 20 years of experience working in international climate and energy policy and programme delivery, including in the public sector, private sector and environmental non-profit organisations. She holds a degree in Economics from University College London and a Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM).
Ben Holroyd-Dell
Events Coordinator
Ben is the Events Coordinator for the Climate Governance Initiative. With a background in international conference management, he has delivered high value programmes of meetings and events around the world.
Ben has also worked as a communications professional at the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme and the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, both of which are based in Cambridge’s David Attenborough Building. He holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and is an award-winning short-fiction podcaster.
Melissa Matthews
Communications Manager – Financial Sector Programme
Melissa manages the communications for the initiative’s Financial Sector Programme. She has worked on nature and climate issues for nearly 15 years and held pivotal communications roles at several environmental organisations including WWF and TRAFFIC, where she headed the global communications effort. She is experienced in delivering strategic communications and translating complex ideas for broad audiences.
Esme Montgomery Friedner
Senior Communications Manager
Esme holds a degree in English Literature and a a Master’s degree in Journalism and International Relations from New York University, and comes from a career in strategic communications in the UK Government and public relations agencies in New York and London. She is experienced in developing impactful communications strategies for large international organisations and is the Climate Governance Initiative’s Senior Communications Manager.
Matthew Moss
Associate Director, Global Communities
Matthew manages the Communications and Engagement teams. He served as Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge for 10 years and gained extensive experience as a speechwriter. At Homerton College, he helped the College transition to its current status as Cambridge’s newest College. He is an associate with Global Philanthropic, a strategic fundraising consultancy.
Samantha Munns
Associate Director, Operations
Sam is responsible for all operational aspects of the Climate Governance Initiative, including human resources, information technology and financial management. She brings a wealth of experience in these areas, with a track record of enhancing organisational efficiency and developing collaborative workplace cultures. She has worked across multiple sectors, ranging from retail and publishing to music and pharmaceuticals, and was also involved in the early phases of Chapter Zero, the Initiative’s UK Chapter. She is a business graduate and qualified performance coach.
Jillian Neufeldt
Knowledge Exchange Analyst
Jillian is the Knowledge Exchange Researcher at the Climate Governance Initiative, where she develops and curates engaging content for our board director audience. With a background in business management and environmental policy, she has experience in academic and market research, helping to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Abigail Plet
Executive Assistant & Administrator
Abigail comes from a background of administrative roles in both the public and private sectors. Abigail began working in a French startup company before joining Cambridge University, most recently at a centre partnering Cambridge University and the UK Government. Abigail assists with the support the Climate Governance Initiative gives to its Chapters, supports the core team and is Executive Assistant to the Director.
Molly Robertson
Operations Coordinator
Molly is the Operations Coordinator for the Climate Governance Initiative, managing the logistics required to ensure smooth and effective daily operations within the company. Her work includes process development, and tasks of a financial and administrative nature.
Molly holds a degree in Public Relations and Media which she completed at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. She is skilled in supporting fast-paced teams and providing effective counsel, which she’s done in roles for private and third-sector organisations.
Gurudatta Shirodkar
Impact and Evaluation Manager
Gurudatta works across the Climate Governance Initiative’s teams, Chapters and stakeholders to support integration of an evidence-driven evaluation framework that will enable board directors across the world to gauge the impact of climate governance. He brings over 20 years of experience working in the monitoring and evaluation field in humanitarian and community resiliency programming. He holds an MA in Social Work with a focus on Community Development, and an MSc in Global Environmental Change from Cranfield University.
Jacquie Storey
Senior Manager, Leadership Community Liaison
Jacquie is the Senior Manager for Leadership Community Liaison for the Climate Governance Initiative. She comes from a conference programme management and publishing background with extensive experience of building and supporting global teams to deliver high impact, high value events with the minimum impact on the planet.
Rosie Ward
Manager, Chapter Engagement
Rosie is a Community Engagement Manager, focused on building the Initiative’s presence in Southeast Asia. She comes to the Initiative after completing an MPhil in Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge (Clare College) and undergraduate studies in Environmental Economics & Policy and Geography at UC Berkeley. Rosie has also worked in climate risk modelling and renewable energy research and engagement.
Our Advisory Board
The Climate Governance Initiative Advisory Board provides overall strategic guidance for the Initiative and comprises of distinguished business leaders, representing diverse disciplines and sector experience.
Alejandro Díaz de León
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Mexico and current Executive Director of Grupo Bal
Alejandro Díaz de León has been Corporate Director of the BAL Group since March 2022. He provides strategic advisory services to the group, which includes leading Mexican enterprises across multiple sectors.
As Governor of Banco de México his 4-year tenure focused on attaining stability, increasing transparency, sustainability and competition, his achievements in those areas were recognized by numerous international and regional awards. He included Banco de México as a founding member of the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System.
Alejandro has served on boards for the Bank for International Settlements, Financial Stability Board and IMF as well as representing Mexico at the G20 finance meetings.Throughout his career he has participated in numerous international working groups and economic research projects, as well as in collegiate bodies dealing with central banking, development banking and pensions.
Angeles Garcia-Poveda
Chair, Legrand
Angeles Garcia-Poveda has been chairperson of the Board of Legrand since July 1, 2020. She joined the Board as an independent director in 2012 and chaired the Nominations and Governance Committee and the Remuneration Committee, sat on the Strategy and CSR Committee, and has served as Lead Director since 2013.
Until 2008 Angeles worked at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She sits on the Boards of Directors of Edenred, Bridgepoint and Puig. She is a member of the Executive Council of MEDEF. She also sits on the Boards of Directors of IFA and NEOMA.
Aged 52, Angeles graduated from ICADE in Madrid and NEOMA in Reims, and completed the Business Case Study Program at Harvard University
Pedro Gomez
Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum
Pedro Gomez is a Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum leading the work on industry decarbonization. Before holding this position, Pedro led the Forum’s work Mobility leading the transport sector’s agenda on sustainability, business resilience and inclusiveness. Prior, he was Head of the Partnership Against Corruption Initiative team (steering one of the longest-standing collective action initiatives in this field). He was also part of the leadership of the Energy Team at the Forum where he oversaw the production of the Energy Transition Index and Oil and Gas industry transformation. Prior to joining the Forum, Pedro served at the Mexican Ministry of Energy as Director for Sectoral Studies where he contributed energy reform & transition policies and at Pemex. In Academia, he was Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies working on the political economy of energy in Latin America and Chevening Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Business School where his focus was low-carbon investment and finance. He was also a senior consultant for Deloitte’s energy practice and was a Partner at the Swiss-based Shipbroking Firm 1.8.9 Shipping GmbH. Pedro holds a Master’s Degree from St Antony´s College at the University of Oxford.
Joaquim Levy
Director of Economic Strategy and Market Relations, Banco Safra Brazil
Joaquim Levy is the Director of Economic Strategy and Market Relations, Banco Safra Brazil. Mr. Levy is an economist with extensive experience providing innovation and leadership across the public and private financial sector. He is the former Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank. Other previous leadership positions include Brazil’s Minister of Finance, president of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at the IDB, and President of Bradesco Asset Management. He is currently member of the global boards of WRI and CPI and the advisory board of ICVCM.
Anand G. Mahindra
Chairman, Mahindra Group
Mr. Anand Mahindra is the Chairman of the Mahindra Group. His tenure has seen the Group expand domestically and internationally into a range of major industrial sectors from automobiles and agriculture to renewable energy, IT and aerospace.
Mr. Mahindra graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard College (1977) and secured an MBA from the Harvard Business School (1981). In 2008 he was bestowed the Harvard Business School’s Alumni Achievement Award and in 2014 he became the first Indian recipient of the Harvard Alumni Association’s Harvard Medal
He has served on several influential bodies including the Reserve Bank of India Board, UN Global Compact Board, Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the World Bank Group’s Advisory Board for Doing Business. Mr. Mahindra has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan Award (2020), India’s third-highest civilian honour. Mr. Mahindra also initiated the Nanhi Kali programme, which has provided over half a million underprivileged girls access to high-quality education.
Sheila Murray
Chair, Teck Resources
Sheila Murray has been a director of Teck since April 2018 and was appointed Chair of the Board in February 2020.
She is a graduate of Queens University (B.Comm and LLB). Ms. Murray served as President of CI Financial Corp. from 2016 to 2019 and was previously Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of CI Financial Corp. Ms. Murray played a key role in directing the operations and setting corporate strategy for CI Financial Corp. and its operating companies, including CI Investments Inc. and Assante Wealth Management. Her role included leading CI’s mentoring program, which fosters the advancement of high-potential female employees. Prior to that, Ms. Murray had a 25-year career at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, where she practised securities law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and corporate reorganizations.
Ms. Murray is the past Chair of the Dean’s Council at Queen’s University Law School and has also taught Securities Regulation at Queen’s University and Corporate Finance at the University of Toronto’s Global Professional LLM in Business Law Program. Ms. Murray is also a director of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada, and a trustee of Granite REIT.
Feike Sijbesma
Chair, Philips and Honorary Chair DSM
Feike Sijbesma, CEO Royal DSM from 2007 till 2020, transformed DSM from a bulk-chemical company into a purpose driven science-based company, focused on nutrition, health & sustainable living.
He is DSM’s Honorary Chairman; Royal Philips Chairman, and Unilever and Dutch Central Bank board member.
Feike is co-chair Global Center on Climate Adaptation, World Bank Climate Leader (carbon pricing). Feike is co-chair CEO Climate Leaders Alliance and IMF advisory board member, and advisor of Africa Improved Foods and The Ocean Cleanup.
He is UN Humanitarian of the Year; received honorary doctorates from Maastricht and Groningen University; was listed on Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, and a world’s 100 most successful CEO’s by Harvard Business Review.
Feike studied molecular biology and business administration.
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