Phil is a UK-qualified accountant with 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. Prior to that he worked for Royal Dutch Shell and as a management consultant. The last few years, he has focused on donor audits and assurance for BDO, primarily on EU/EC and GIZ funding streams, as well as on UN and various philanthropic donors. Before that, he was Operations Director for a combined commercial/charitable venture in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Phil has lived in 16 countries (Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Oman, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe and Haiti). He speaks German and French quite well, and also some Portuguese and Spanish.
Phil lives in Devon (UK) with his wife and two small dogs, and when he’s not working, he has a passion for cooking, photography, wildlife and reading. He’s also a trustee of a charity that supports bringing Syrian refugees to the UK and does some occasional work for the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership as an assessor for their Sustainable Finance and Communication for Impact and Influence courses.
As Climate Resilience Advisor, Philip serves as C40’s technical and facilitation lead on adaptation in Lagos, working within the municipal office of Lagos to accelerate the delivery of climate action, unlock barriers and strengthen institutional capacity in the city.
Philip has 10 years of experience working with international development organisations, NGOs and government partners, including serving as Nigeria Country Coordinator with Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) – WaterAid, Program Manager with Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and other previous roles at Pact West Africa, TechnoServe and GIZ.
Philip brings experience leading climate resilience projects, coordinating multi-stakeholder platforms, managing government engagement, and providing technical and policy advisory on climate resilience in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Philip led the design and establishment of the Lagos Water Partnership, a PPP platform that now leads the development and implementation of Lagos’ water investment agenda.
Pius joined C40 as Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s Head of Coordination in the Co-Chair’s Office in April 2024. He undertakes this connecting role between C40, London and the Freetown Mayor’s Office, and is responsible for all external engagements for the co-chair, all internal and external briefings to the co-chair and her wider team and feedback to C40 teams.
He comes with more than 12 years of experience working at government offices to support shaping and implementing their vision on sectors like waste management and the climate; investing in and managing businesses around green and waste management technologies and services; and working in the INGO sector in coordination and leadership positions. Pius has developed significant experience of working with municipal governments, with senior officials and managing micro, meso, and macro projects based on cities’ needs.
He has worked with a diversity of donors through the coordination of numerous consulting assignments and projects funded by the multilateral and UN-funding agencies including the World Bank Group, AfDB, GIZ, FCDO, JICA, UNICEF, USAID, and other public and private sector clients including various ministries and government agencies.
Pongsatorn is C40’s City Advisor, Breathe Cities, Bangkok. He is a part of the Breathe Cities Regional Team and the ESEAO team to advise and support Bangkok in implementing Breathe Cities on the ground to deliver ambitious priority air quality actions to meet clean air goals.
Prior to joining C40, Pongsatorn was an Advisor at GIZ (Thailand) where he worked on climate change mitigation in the transport sector by providing technical support for fuel economy policies and the electric vehicle roadmap for the Thai government. From 2021 to 2023, he worked as Chief of Staff to the Prime Ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party in Thailand.
Pongsatorn is living in Bangkok with his wife, Thun, and raising a one-year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy named Zuko
Bien serves as the Engagement Manager for Ho Chi Minh City. With a robust background in consulting, Bien previously worked with major firms in Vietnam, including AMPERES and RCEE NIRAS. His extensive experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the energy transition landscape in the country, making him a valuable asset in the pursuit of innovative energy solutions.
He began his career in oil refining, gaining firsthand experience in the traditional energy sector before transitioning to renewable energy. Throughout his career, Bien has engaged in fruitful collaborations with prominent partners, such as USAID, GEAPP, GIZ, PetroVietnam, and Petrolimex. These partnerships underscore his commitment to driving meaningful change within the energy sector, focusing on sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local communities. His role also involves providing technical support to various local authorities, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, where he has honed his skills in navigating the complexities of government operations and policy-making.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Hanoi University of Science and Technology and a Master’s in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship from the University of Nottingham (fully funded by the Chevening Scholarship). Bien is deeply passionate about raising awareness of renewable energy among the youth in Vietnam. He actively organises workshops in schools, aiming to foster a new generation that is informed and engaged in sustainable energy practices.
Rafael Lisbôa is the Director of Communications for the C40 x GCoM Joint Programs, where he leads strategic communications, media engagement and narrative development across two flagship Bloomberg Philanthropies–funded initiatives that bring together C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. He oversees communications for both the Joint Activities – focused on multilevel partnerships (including CHAMP), climate finance and data-driven climate action – and the Brazil Mutirão Program, which drives multilevel implementation of climate solutions at scale in Brazilian cities.
He is a communications and journalism professional with over two decades of experience across media, public administration, and strategic communications. He began his career as a reporter and producer at Brazil’s largest TV network, TV Globo, before spending more than a decade as Communications Director at Rio de Janeiro City Hall. In this role, he oversaw communications for the city during major global events such as Rio+20, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Olympic Games. He also served as Partner and Executive Director of Communications at FSB Comunicação, Latin America’s largest PR agency.
In addition to his role at C40, Rafael teaches in the postgraduate program on Politics and Society at IESP/UERJ and at the General Archive of the City of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on paradiplomacy and the role of cities in global governance.
Rafael is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), an MBA in International Relations and Affairs from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), and a Master of Research in History, Politics, and International Relations, also from FGV. He was also a visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Institute of Latin American Studies.
Ragene (or Jean) is the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Advisor for Quezon City under the Resilient Urban Futures (RUF) Programme. In this role, she leads and facilitates the city’s technical work on adaptation and the mainstreaming of resilience in delivering climate action. She previously served as the Senior Manager for Inclusive Climate Action and Engagement in Southeast Asia, where she led the strategy development and implementation of mainstreaming equitable and inclusive actions in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Quezon City.
Prior to C40, Jean was an urban researcher and development consultant. She has worked on urban informality, the climate-migration nexus, women and gender in climate adaptation, local economic development, and disaster rehabilitation with various UN agencies (including UN Women, IOM, UN-Habitat, and UNDP) and other international groups. Jean has published and presented various works about urban affairs, including feminist cities, urban inequality, care in cities, and public life and spaces.
Jean completed her MA in International Planning and Sustainable Development at the University of Westminster, London, as a Chevening scholar. She has represented the Philippines in professional fellowships and regional workshops and serves as a mentor for aspiring planners and young scholars. She enjoys learning languages, caring for animals and green flowering spaces, and flaneuring.
Ralph is a Senior Finance Manager – Compliance & Reporting at C40. His role includes assisting with the preparation of the C40 financial statements across all entities, ensuring statutory reporting compliance, and overseeing month-end/year-end procedures.
Ralph qualified as a chartered accountant with the ACCA in 2019. He trained and qualified at Silver Levene LLP (now Xeinadin), a London-based accountancy firm, before moving to Saffery LLP, where he managed a large, diverse portfolio of clients as an Audit Manager, including corporate entities and with a key focus on the not-for-profit sector.
Ralph is based in the London office. He enjoys watching a variety of sports and likes to run, hike, and play sports in his spare time.
Rebecca works in the Political Strategy and Leadership Support department and is C40’s Head of Internal Engagement and Steering Committee, responsible for supporting the Office of the C40 Chair by managing the processes of the Steering Committee. Prior to this, Rebecca was the Deputy Managing Director of the political organisation STRING, bringing together European cities and regions for sustainable infrastructure and sustainability. She has also worked for the Swedish/Danish cross-border cooperation the Oresund Committee and has experience in transport planning, strategy and stakeholder management from Newcastle City Council in the UK.
Rebecca’s academic background is in political science, and she has a Master’s degree from Lund University in Sweden and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northumbria in the UK.
Reka is C40’s Grants and Legal Coordinator. In this role, she supports the team across the grant management cycle, from pre-award reviews to data management and reporting, and she also supports our work on governance and compliance.
She has experience volunteering as a social researcher, where she collected and analysed data to create reports as a fundraising tool for charities. Prior to C40, Reka joined teams such as Clean Air Fund, working on a variety of projects ranging from fundraising to HR and governance.
Reka holds an MSc in Evolutionary Psychology from Brunel University London. She also holds a BA in Psychology from University of Pecs, Hungary.
Richard is C40’s Head of Global Media, responsible for bringing the exciting, innovative and vitally important work of the C40 teams, mayors and cities to a global audience.
Prior to joining C40, he worked as a journalist across TV and radio for the BBC, including as a senior producer on BBC Breakfast and a reporter and newsreader for BBC London. He then moved to the Mayor of London’s press team, taking a lead role on high-profile communications projects including the launch of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, hosting the men’s and women’s European Championships and the capital’s response to the pandemic.
Richard is based in London and holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Leeds.
Robert Stupka serves as Head of Climate Action Implementation for North America, supporting the delivery of C40’s technical assistance in Canada and the United States.
He joined C40 in 2022 and is based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Robert is a professional engineer with over 15 years of experience working with municipal governments, public utilities, and private sector partners on the integrated delivery of sustainable transportation and energy solutions. From this experience, he brings direct insight into the technical and political challenges and opportunities of implementing climate solutions.
Robert holds a Master of Civil Engineering degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Ottawa.
Rodolphe serves as Technical Officer for Climate Change Mitigation, within the Measurement and Planning Team. In this role, he works on the greenhouse gas inventories of all cities within the C40 Network, ensuring that they are high quality and fit for use in the Climate Action Planning Programme. Rodolphe transitioned to this role after interning with the C40 Regions/Deadline2020 Team, where he worked on ensuring the continual participation of cities within the C40 network. Prior to joining C40, Rodolphe worked as an academic research assistant in Montreal, studying the effects of agricultural certification in relation to deforestation rates. Rodolphe is a graduate of McGill University, where he received a BA in Urban Geography, Environmental Studies and GIS.
Roxana is the Recruitment Manager within the People Team at C40, where she looks after the global hiring and talent acquisition strategy. She is dedicated to bringing passionate changemakers into the organisation, building inclusive, high-performing teams, and ensuring a seamless, welcoming experience for candidates globally.
Before transitioning into recruitment, Roxana worked as a photo producer, focusing on scouting and bringing together the perfect creative talent for each project. This background naturally fueled her passion for talent acquisition and building great teams.
Ruchi leads the strategy and delivery of mission-critical convenings and priority initiatives, shaping high-profile moments that bring together mayors, city leaders, partners, and stakeholders to accelerate climate action.
In her role, Ruchi works closely across C40 teams and in coordination with partners, including the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), to design and deliver mayor-focused experiences that drive alignment, collaboration, and impact at a global scale. Her work sits at the intersection of events, initiatives, and organisational coordination, supporting effective delivery on shared leadership priorities.
With previous roles at Google and the Clinton Global Initiative, Ruchi brings deep expertise in executive engagement, large-scale event strategy, and cross-sector partnerships to C40 and GCoM’s mission.
Ruchi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Columbia University, Barnard College.
As C40’s Director of Climate Resilience, Sachin leads C40’s Climate Resilience programme, covering Water, Urban Heat and Nature.
Previously, Sachin worked in Arup’s International Development. Sachin has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Mumbai and a Master’s degree in Urban Design from Harvard University.
Sadiq Khan was elected for a second term as Mayor of London in May 2021. He was previously an MP for Tooting, South London for 11 years and served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice from May 2010 and Shadow Minister for London from 2013.
Mayor Khan has declared a climate emergency and described it as one of the biggest threats we face today. In response, he has set an ambition for London to be net zero by 2030. He has also committed to a Green New Deal for London and to ensuring that there is a just transition in the capital from fossil fuel intensive industries to climate solutions.
Sallieu Kanu serves as Senior Manager, Youth Engagement and Campaigns at the C40 Co-Chair’s Office in Freetown. Sallieu possesses an extensive professional background and strong experience working with government leadership. He has a deep understanding of climate governance, backed by a wealth of years of experience as a Senior Project Lead for the clean cooking program at Freetown City Council, where he worked closely with C40 Co-Chair and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. He is passionate about advancing youth-led climate actions in urban areas, focusing particularly on the needs of poor and vulnerable communities.
Sallieu has successfully led and implemented multiple projects funded by organizations such as World Bank, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UN-Habitat, the European Union, Bosch Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. These projects have spanned areas including water, energy transition, COVID-19 preparedness and response, urban farming, waste valorization, and tree-tracking trading.
Furthermore, Sallieu has built and nurtured partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, compassing government partnerships, the private sector, youth groups and civil society organizations.
Salomé is a City Finance Projects and Events Officer for the C40 x Global Covenant of Mayors Joint Program. In this capacity, she supports the coordination, delivery, monitoring, and reporting of finance activities.
Prior to joining C40, she worked at The Climate Reality Project, assisting nine Latin American governments in integrating youth and indigenous representatives into UNFCCC’s decision-making spaces through a capacity-building program.
Salomé completed a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of Sussex as a recipient of a Chevening Scholarship, writing on the intersections of justice, dependency, and multilateral climate finance distribution in Latin America. She also holds a Diploma in Sustainable Development and Human Rights from the University for Peace, and a BSc in Business Science from LEAD University in Costa Rica.
Sam is Digital Communications Manager at C40. As part of the Communications team, Sam works closely with the Brand, Creative and Digital Content team, as well as members of the wider organisation, to create a strong brand for C40. Keeping global reach and local relevance in mind, Sam is key in helping conceptualise, strategise, and create engaging content that connects with C40’s target audiences and key stakeholders.
Sam has over 10 years of experience in content. She began her career as a print journalist in 2010 before diving into the world of digital writing, and then expanding her skill set to include areas such as social media management. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Murdoch University.