Professional Experience:
With over 30 years of international experience, I bring deep technical and leadership expertise in water and natural resources management, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). My background combines high-level policy development, transboundary water diplomacy, programme implementation, and executive leadership across Asia.
My foundation in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), marine and freshwater ecology, and sustainable development is rooted in both academic training and extensive fieldwork. I have worked across river basins, coastal zones, and wetland systems, leading initiatives that span local implementation and regional governance. This includes serving as CEO of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat, where I managed intergovernmental cooperation on basin-wide water governance, and as Executive Director of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), where I oversaw DRR and climate resilience programming in over 20 countries.
In the DRR and climate change adaptation space, I bring over a decade of leadership in designing and delivering risk-informed development strategies. I have advanced the humanitarian-development-peace nexus through large-scale, multi-country programmes funded by Sida, Norad, USAID, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. I have promoted gender equality, rights-based approaches, and inclusive practices in all areas of work, institutionalising safeguards, performance frameworks, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
My experience in international cooperation spans more than 20 years, including successful partnerships with governments, multilateral banks, donors, and civil society. I have led the development of regional strategies, supported transboundary agreements, and facilitated high-level negotiations. My work has covered the full programme cycle — from concept development and stakeholder consultation to implementation, M&E, and learning — with a focus on systems thinking and practical outcomes.
I have extensive experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams and overseeing financial portfolios exceeding USD 20 million annually. I have directly supervised senior-level staff and managed offices across several countries. Through strategic leadership and targeted resource mobilisation, I have helped raise over USD 200 million in project funding. I am well-versed in working with donors such as DFAT, Sida, Norad, Danida, SDC, USAID, World Bank, ADB, and GIZ, and understand their procedures, safeguards, and performance frameworks.
A natural communicator and facilitator, I have represented organisations in high-level fora, ministerial dialogues, and technical working groups. I am known for fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and leading reforms to enhance institutional impact and sustainability.