Washington, D.C. (February 1, 2024)—World Resources Institute (WRI) is pleased to announce that Leila Yim Surratt has been named the new Director of Strategic Partnerships for WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.
“We are very excited to welcome Leila. She brings a wealth of experience in public-private partnerships that will be crucial in our work ahead,” said Rogier van den Berg, Global Director for WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. “Her strong track record in international development, partnership building and finance is key as we look to expand our impact.”
Surratt has served as the Director of Strategy and Engagement for P4G, WRI’s Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals by 2030 initiative, since 2018. She was responsible for engaging with partner countries, businesses, financiers and civil society to support and accelerate innovative public-private partnerships.
“Cities play an essential role in addressing climate change, improving human health and fostering sustainable development,” said Surratt. “I look forward to not only strengthening WRI Ross Center’s current partnerships but to growing new partnerships that support local leaders and implement innovative urban solutions.”
Surratt brings a breadth of experience from government, nonprofits and private sectors. She has in-depth knowledge of air quality regulations, climate and energy policies and extensive experience with industry and stakeholder outreach.
Before joining WRI, Surratt served as Chief Operating Officer and Interim-CEO at the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), where she led efforts to support developing countries in Latin America and Asia to strengthen and implement their NDCs in the energy, waste and transport sectors. Surratt also directed CCAP’s research and policy analysis on climate finance and policy development, and previously managed CCAP’s domestic climate policy initiative—a multi-stakeholder dialogue focused on developing pragmatic solutions for climate change in the United States.
She previously worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Texas and in the Administrator’s Office in Washington, D.C., where she evaluated all major air quality rules prior to promulgation. In addition to her policy experience, Surratt brings private sector expertise, having worked in several industries as a management consultant for Bain and Company and as a software product manager at McKesson-HBOC.
Surratt holds an MBA from Stanford University, where she focused on public and private sector initiatives relating to the environment, and a BA in Economics from Yale University. Surratt continues to be based in Washington, D.C.
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About World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,000 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org.
About WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is World Resources Institute’s program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone. It enables more connected, compact and coordinated cities. The Center expands the transport and urban development expertise of the EMBARQ network to catalyze innovative solutions in other sectors, including air quality, water, buildings, land use and energy. It combines the research excellence of WRI with two decades of on-the-ground impact through a network of more than 370 experts working from Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Turkey and the United States to make cities around the world better places to live. More information at www.wrirosscities.org.