Amanda Bielawski, Ph.D., MBA, is a sustainability expert leading global strategies to scale proven science-based solutions across sectors related to climate, biodiversity, human well-being, and the nexus of these issues. Leveraging more than 20 years of leadership experience, Amanda has held roles advising corporate CEOs and the United Nations, in nonprofit organization and private sector leadership, as a researcher, and in university teaching.
As director of global strategic partnerships at Project Drawdown, Amanda leads strategies to advance the most effective and innovative climate solutions across business, investing, and philanthropy. In collaboration with a talented team, she is actively building a global network of partners committed to ambitious approaches to reduce emissions with speed and scale.
Previously, Amanda served as chief impact officer at the Pacific Institute, a global water and climate think tank, and senior advisor to the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. In these roles, she co-developed the global corporate water initiative now engaging more than 70 multinational corporations with more than US$5 trillion in market capitalization and operations in more than 140 countries. She previously served as a consultant and advisor to the United Nations Development Programme related to nature-based solutions and in the private sector, advising C-suite leaders. Amanda started her career as a journalist covering a range of environmental issues.
Amanda holds a Ph.D. in sustainability from Prescott College. Her doctoral research focused on the intersection of the global climate and water agendas with an analysis of nature-based solutions spanning more than 25 countries. She also holds an MBA from Humboldt State University and a master of science in environmental law and policy from Green Mountain College. Amanda holds executive credentials focused on corporate sustainability from the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business and on corporate board leadership from Competent Boards. She was awarded the Sustainability Excellence Professional credential from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, reserved for “experts at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world.”
Outside of work, Amanda serves on several nonprofit boards and committees, cheers on family members at various sporting events, is an avid reader of nonfiction, and enjoys hiking and traveling.