Experts & Staff
WRI brings together nearly 1,900 staff and experts who are leaders in their fields. Their work spans topics such as food and land use, energy, cities, economics, finance, governance and more. Our staff and researchers work globally and in 12 focus countries to meet people’s essential needs, to protect and restore nature, and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. Contact our media team to arrange an interview with any of our experts.
Program Experts & Staff
Yelena Akopian
Communications Manager, New Climate Economy
Carter Brandon
Senior Fellow
Raquel Burke
Operations Manager, Global Climate and Economics Programs
Helen Ding
Senior Economist
Rachel Evans
Development Associate, Climate and Economics Programs
Beakal Fasil
Communications and Engagement Specialist, The New Climate Economy, WRI Africa
Laura Fishburn
Project Specialist
Erin Gray
Senior Economist, WRI's Global Economics Center
Karl Hausker
Senior Fellow
Stacy Hong
Special Assistant, Climate & Economics
Joel Jaeger
Senior Research Associate, Systems Change Lab
Anjali Mahendra
Director of Global Research, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
Courtney Nina McLaren
Equity Economist, Global Centre of Economics, WRI Europe
K. N. Ninan
Senior Fellow, Economics Center, WRI India
Joana Oliveira de Oliveira
Executive Secretary, Panamazon Network for Bioeconomy
Maurice Owiti
NCE Economist, WRI Africa
Vanessa Pérez-Cirera
Director, WRI's Global Economic Center
Melanie Robinson
Global Climate, Economics and Finance Program Director
Rajat Shrestha
Research Analyst II, Economics Center
Hannah Sturgeon
Project Coordinator
Madhu Verma
Chief Economist, WRI India
Yifa Yaakov
Communications Manager, Climate Program
