Luke is the Managing Director of Communications for C40 Cities. He oversees the organisation’s strategic communications, digital, brand and media activity. Prior to joining C40, Luke was Director of Communications for The Elders and has previously held senior communications and advocacy positions with international environment and human rights NGOs. Luke began his career as a journalist, working in Europe and West Africa. He holds a Master’s in Post-Colonial Theory and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. He is based in Bristol and London.
As Senior Manager for Research and Communications, Chiara leads the further development of the C40 Centre for Urban Climate Policy and Economy. As a connecting point between the C40 Centre and the C40 Communications department, she helps equip mayors with the narrative and science they need to win the argument to stop climate breakdown.
Prior to joining C40, Chiara worked in communications for Amanda Levete Architects, the sustainability team at University College London and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Forestry and Timber section.
Chiara has an MSc in Politics and Communications from LSE, an MPhil in Latin American Studies from the University of Cambridge and an MA in Spanish and English literature from the University of Edinburgh.
As Head of Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Amelia plays a central role in shaping C40’s external voice and strategic direction. She leads on audience insight work that informs messaging across the organisation, ensuring communications resonate effectively with key audiences, and develops and oversees messaging frameworks that guide how C40 communicates externally, working closely with teams across the network to embed these into practice.
She represents C40 at major milestones and high-level global events, where she plays a pivotal role in growing C40’s partnerships and expanding its visibility, not only at the events themselves, but also across C40 and partner channels.
Prior to joining C40, Amelia led Communications and Campaigns for a pro-EU organisation in London and previously worked for the United Nations in Sydney, where she focused on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals at a city level.
She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2019 with a BA in Geography, including a year abroad at the University of Maryland, College Park. Amelia also holds an MA in Gender, Society and Representation from University College London, where her academic research focused on feminist geographies and gendered practices in public and private spaces.
As Creative Content Manager on the Joint Program between C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors, Samuel is responsible for developing and delivering all visual content and assisting the team with delivering campaigns, events and media coverage.
With a background in advertising, Samuel has a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, having helped build brands, campaigns and high-value assets in the UK and internationally.
Samuel holds a BA in Advertising from the École Supérieure des Arts de Saint Luc in Liège, Belgium.
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.
Adam leads the design, development and commissioning of C40’s creative assets and plays a central role in the brand’s vision and future strategy. He is based in London as part of the C40 Brand, Creative and Digital team.
In 2013, Adam graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a MA in French and English Literature. He started his career in media and communications in men’s fashion before moving into environmental technology and social impact.
Having completed Shillington Academy’s integrated graphic design course in 2021, he joined a B Corp communications agency as creative director working with design and creative teams on rebrands and integrated digital campaigns for non-profits, membership organisations and public sector programmes.
Jonathan is the Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager for the Ports and Shipping programme at C40 Cities. He manages Ports and Shipping communications, campaigns, and external engagements.
Previously, Jonathan was Senior Communications and Events Officer at the International Growth Centre and a Research and Programme Officer at the LSE Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa—both at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He has also worked for GIZ and the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative.
His thematic interests include participatory urban planning, climate adaptation and mitigation, political ecology, and decolonial approaches to development. Jonathan has a BA in Social Sciences from Jacobs University Bremen and an MSc in Environment and Development from the LSE.
Tanya Grueneberger is C40’s Manager of Programmatic Communications. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing communications that amplify the impact of C40’s programme work across global cities. She works closely with the programme and communications teams to ensure that storytelling, messaging, and engagement align with C40’s mission and resonate with key audiences.
Before joining C40, Tanya was Marketing and Communications Manager at Forum for the Future, an international sustainability organisation, where she led programme communications across the UK, EU, and US. Her work spanned initiatives focused on food systems, the energy transition, and sustainable business transformation. Before that, she worked at a London-based communications agency delivering campaigns on gender equality, global health, and sustainability for a range of non-profit and purpose-led corporate clients. She also held a communications role at the humanitarian charity Right To Play UK, where she helped communicate the value of play-based programmes for children’s education and development.
Tanya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from Boston University and a Master’s degree in International Marketing from King’s College London.
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.
Emily is C40’s Senior Manager of Strategic Communications, Partnerships & Insights. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing priority communications campaigns, growing C40’s partner portfolio, supporting the development of data-driven communications, and building the brand with a global audience.
Prior to joining C40, Emily worked at George Washington University, where she managed creative projects for university-wide initiatives and events. Before joining GW, Emily was the Marketing Manager at American Forests, a longstanding conservation organization that creates healthy and resilient forests across the U.S. In this role, she managed communications across various digital channels and worked with internal and external partners to build support for American Forests’ work.
Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Strategic Communication from Ohio University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management from George Washington University.
Zermina is the Director of Strategic Communications, Media and Partnerships at C40 Cities, based in London, UK.
In this role, she sets the strategic direction for C40’s communications and media efforts and high-impact partnerships. She is responsible for shaping and executing communications strategies around C40’s milestones and global events.
Zermina also serves as C40 Co-Chair and Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Press Secretary, leading efforts to amplify his leadership on climate action and demonstrate the tangible outcomes of his work as co-chair on the world stage.
Before joining C40, Zermina held positions across local and national government, where she built and led teams delivering high-profile public campaigns and policy communications. She holds a degree in Law and is fluent in four languages.
Ernesto is the Communications Manager for the UCAP CAI Programme at C40. He coordinates communication activities and visibility strategies, working across the 15 cities supported by the programme and liaising with different teams across C40.
Before joining C40, Ernesto worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at the British Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, where he led strategic communications to climate diplomacy, science and innovation bilateral programmes in Brazil funded by the UK government. Prior to that position, he worked with international marketing tourism promotion of Brazil aiming at foreign consumer markets in Europe and in the US.
Ernesto graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais with a BA in Communication Studies, Journalism and TV/Radio Broadcasting, and holds a Postgraduate diploma in Tourism Business Management from the University of Brasilia. He is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Cornelia von Einem serves as Senior Team Coordinator for the global Communications team and works closely with the Brand, Creative and Digital Content team and wider organisation. Based in Paris, Cornelia provides daily support to the Director of Communications, and serves as a key member of the team, helping to coordinate and structure meetings and agendas with internal and external stakeholders. She also liaises with Les Canaux, a metropolitan hub for innovation and economic solidarity and the location of C40’s Paris office. Cornelia has held administrative and customer-facing positions in private and public-sector organisations in France, after working as a picture editor in scientific book publishing, where she developed a keen interest in environmental issues. She has lived in Venezuela, Germany, and Japan before moving to France, and speaks German, French, and English (and is now brushing up on her Spanish!).