About SDG Academy

Dr. Aisha Yousafzai has established herself as a leading authority in global early childhood development, particularly focusing on implementing and scaling interventions in low- and middle-income countries. As an Associate Professor of Global Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, she has pioneered the integration of early childhood interventions into existing health services, with the Pakistan Early Child Development Scale-Up (PEDS) trial standing as one of her most significant contributions. This groundbreaking study evaluated the impact of responsive stimulation and nutrition interventions on child development and growth outcomes. Her extensive research experience spans South Asia, East Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe, where she has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of early childhood interventions in resource-limited settings. Beyond her academic work, Yousafzai shapes global policy through her role as co-Chair for the Intervention Taskforce of the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) and as an advisor on Home Visiting for UNICEF's CEECIS regional office. Her research findings, published in prestigious journals such as the Lancet and Pediatrics, continue to influence the development and implementation of early childhood programs worldwide, particularly in areas where resources are scarce but the need for intervention is critical.

Carlos Nobre stands as a prominent Brazilian Earth System scientist whose groundbreaking research has focused on the Amazon rainforest and its critical role in global climate systems. His academic journey began with an Electronics Engineering degree from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, followed by a Ph.D. in Meteorology from MIT. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held several prestigious positions, including chairing the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia and serving as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. His public service includes roles as National Secretary for Research and Development Policies at Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation and President of Brazil's Agency for Post-Graduate Education. His scientific excellence has been recognized through memberships in elite institutions such as the US National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the World Academy of Sciences. Currently serving as Co-Chair of the Science Panel for the Amazon, Nobre continues his research at the University of São Paulo's Institute for Advanced Studies, where he focuses on understanding the Amazon's impact on Earth systems and promoting sustainable forest bioeconomy through initiatives like the Amazonia 4.0 project. His pioneering work in 1988 was instrumental in understanding deforestation's effects on climate and predicting potential Amazon rainforest transformation, cementing his position as a leading voice in climate science and environmental conservation.

Nadino Calapucha has emerged as a prominent young leader of the Amazonian Kichwa Nationality, hailing from the Shiwakucha Community in Ecuador's Arajuno Canton. His dedication to indigenous rights activism began in his youth, leading to significant roles in indigenous advocacy organizations. His leadership journey includes serving as part of the Youth Council of the Indigenous Movement of Ecuador in 2011 and as the Plurinational Representative of Indigenous Children and Adolescents of Ecuador in 2004. His international influence expanded through his position as Youth Focal Point and communications leader for the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), where he also served as Technical Coordinator of the Program for the Defense of Indigenous Defenders. Currently pursuing a law degree at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Calapucha serves as President of the Amazonian Foundation KAMBAK, focusing on protecting indigenous territories and biodiversity. His work bridges traditional Kichwa culture with modern advocacy, particularly in defending indigenous land rights and environmental conservation. In 2019, he contributed to the international indigenous rights movement as a member of the International Committee of the Pan-Amazonian Social Forum, continuing to amplify indigenous voices in global environmental and social justice discussions.

Jhan-Carlo Espinoza has established himself as a leading Peruvian climate scientist whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of South American climate systems. Born in Caraz, Ancash, Peru, he earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Pierre et Marie Curie University in Paris, France, and currently holds positions as a tenured Research Director at the French Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and Professor of Climatology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). His expertise spans regional and large-scale climate variability in tropical South America, with particular focus on the Andes and Amazonia regions

Guido Schmidt-Traub has established himself as a leading figure in sustainable development and climate policy through his extensive work with international organizations and advisory roles. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Economics from Wageningen University & Research, an M.Phil. in Economics from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and a Masters in physical chemistry from the Free University Berlin. As Executive Director and Scientific Co-Director of the SDG Index at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, he has been instrumental in supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. His career spans significant leadership positions, including CEO of CDC Climat Asset Management in Paris, climate change advisor to the Africa Progress Panel secretariat, and Director at South Pole Carbon Asset Management in Zurich. His contributions to global development include managing the MDG Support Team at UNDP and serving as Associate Director of the UN Millennium Project, where he helped develop action plans for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Currently serving on the Governing Council of Future Earth and as Partner at SYSTEMIQ Ltd, Schmidt-Traub continues to shape international policy on sustainable development, particularly focusing on nature-based solutions and climate change mitigation strategies

Guillaume Lafortune has established himself as a key figure in sustainable development policy and analysis through his role as Vice President and Head of the Paris Office at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). His career path includes valuable experience as an economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where he focused on public governance reforms and statistics, and earlier work as an economist at the Ministry of Economic Development in the Government of Quebec. His academic credentials include an M.Sc in public administration from the National School of Public Administration in Montreal and a B.Sc in international economics from the University of Montreal. At SDSN, he has been instrumental in developing and managing the SDG Index and Dashboards Report, providing crucial data and statistics for tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. His expertise extends to coordinating major international initiatives, including his work with The Lancet Commission on COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022, where he led taskforces on Fiscal Policy and Financial Markets and Green Recovery. Throughout his career, he has authored numerous scientific publications, policy briefs, and international reports on sustainable development, economic policy, and governance. His work consistently focuses on transforming complex sustainable development data into practical insights for policymakers, making him a respected voice in global development policy and analysis.

Jessica Espey has established herself as a leading expert in sustainable development data and policy through her role as Senior Advisor to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Modern History from Oxford University and a Master of Sciences in Political Economy of Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Her career spans significant positions, including Associate Director and Head of SDSN's New York Office, and special adviser on the post-2015 agenda within the Office of the President of Liberia. As Head of the TReNDS program, SDSN's Thematic Research Network on Data and Statistics, she leads crucial research on data systems improvement and public-private data sharing for SDG achievement. Her expertise extends across multiple areas, including evidence-based policy-making, sustainable urbanization, and horizontal inequalities. Her international experience includes work with prominent organizations such as Save the Children UK, the Overseas Development Institute, and the British Institute in Eastern Africa. Throughout her 12-year career, she has worked across multiple countries including Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, the UK, and the US, bringing a global perspective to sustainable development challenges. Her current work focuses on analyzing the return on investment from improved data systems and developing frameworks for effective data sharing to support sustainable development goals.

Jeffrey D. Sachs stands as one of the world's most influential economists and sustainable development experts, currently serving as University Professor at Columbia University and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development. His academic journey began at Harvard University, where he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, and later served as the Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade for over twenty years. Throughout his career, Sachs has shaped global policy as Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General, advising on both the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. His expertise spans economic development, global macroeconomics, and poverty alleviation, having worked in more than 125 countries. As Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and President of SDG USA, he continues to drive sustainable development initiatives worldwide. His influential works include bestsellers such as "The End of Poverty," "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet," and "The Age of Sustainable Development." His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2015 Blue Planet Prize and the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development, while Time Magazine has twice named him among the world's 100 most influential leaders. Beyond his academic work, he serves as a Commissioner of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Development and maintains active engagement with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences on sustainable development issues.

Aromar Revi has established himself as a pioneering figure in sustainable urban development as the founding Director of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), India's first prospective National University focused on urbanization. His academic foundation includes degrees from IIT-Delhi and the Law and Management schools of the University of Delhi. With over 35 years of interdisciplinary experience, he has emerged as a global thought leader in sustainable development, public policy, and climate science. His extensive work includes leading 125 major research and consulting assignments, publishing over 95 peer-reviewed publications, and helping structure development investments exceeding $8 billion across multiple countries. As Co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), he successfully championed the inclusion of urban development in the UN's 2030 agenda through SDG 11. His expertise in climate science is evidenced by his role as Coordinating Lead Author of the 2018 IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. As one of South Asia's leading disaster mitigation experts, he has directed emergency teams for ten major natural disasters affecting over five million people. His influence extends across academia, policy, and practice, having lectured at over 90 universities worldwide and advised numerous governments and international organizations on sustainable

Joshua Castellino has established himself as a leading authority in international human rights law and minority rights advocacy, currently serving as Executive Director of Minority Rights Group International since October 2018. His unique career path began as a journalist with the Indian Express Group in Mumbai before transitioning to academia through a Chevening Scholarship, which led to his MA in International Law & Politics in 1995 and PhD in International Law in 1998. Prior to his current role, he served as Dean of the Schools of Law and Business at Middlesex University, London, where he made significant contributions to legal education. His academic expertise spans across multiple institutions, holding visiting positions in Ireland, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, and serving as Adjunct Professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Castellino's scholarly contributions include authoring and editing eight books on international law and human rights, with particular focus on self-determination, territorial rights, and indigenous peoples' rights. His work includes a significant five-book series with Oxford University Press on Global Minority Rights Law. His international influence extends through his role on the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, where he co-chairs the Thematic Group on Social Inclusion, Gender and Human Rights. His expertise was recognized when he was appointed Chair of the 8th Forum on Minority Issues by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, facilitating crucial dialogue between governments and civil society organizations.

Felipe Larraín has established himself as one of Latin America's most distinguished economists and public servants, serving twice as Chile's Finance Minister (2010-2014 and 2018-2019) with remarkable success that earned him recognition as "Best Finance Minister of Latin America" and "Best Finance Minister of the Americas." His academic credentials include a PhD and MA in Economics from Harvard University and a BA from Universidad Católica de Chile, where he currently serves as Professor of Economics. His influence extends beyond Chile through his role as economic advisor to numerous governments across Latin America, including Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico, while also serving as a consultant to major international organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, and Inter-American Development Bank. His scholarly contributions include authoring 15 books and over 140 articles, with his co-authored textbook "Macroeconomics in the Global Economy" with Jeffrey Sachs being translated into ten languages. As Director of the Latin American Center of Economic and Social Policies (CLAPES UC) from 2014 to 2018, he has shaped economic policy discussions across the region. His expertise spans economic growth, fiscal policy, sustainable development, and climate change, demonstrated by his leadership in issuing the Americas' first sovereign green bond and founding the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action in 2019. He currently serves on the UN Leadership Council for Sustainable Development and the Lancet Commission for COVID-19, continuing to influence global economic and development policy

K. Srinath Reddy has established himself as a distinguished leader in public health and cardiology, serving as Honorary Distinguished Professor at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), an organization he previously led as President from 2006 to 2022. His academic journey includes medical training at Osmania Medical College, specialized cardiology training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and epidemiology studies at McMaster University in Canada. His career spans significant roles in academia and public health policy, including heading the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS and serving as the First Bernard Lown Visiting Professor of Cardiovascular Health at Harvard School of Public Health (2009-13). His influence extends across multiple prestigious institutions as an Adjunct Professor at Harvard, Emory University, University of Sydney, and the University of Pennsylvania. His expertise has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan, WHO Director General's Award, and membership in the US National Academy of Medicine. With over 570 scientific publications, he has made substantial contributions to cardiovascular health, tobacco control, and chronic disease prevention. His public service includes advising multiple state governments in India, serving as physician to two Prime Ministers, and chairing various national and international health committees, including the High Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage for India.

Richard Alan Cash stands as a pioneering figure in global health research and ethics, serving as Senior Lecturer in International Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His academic journey began with a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1963), followed by an M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (1966), and an MPH from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (1973). His groundbreaking career started at the Pakistan-SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory in Dhaka, where he conducted the first clinical trials of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), a revolutionary treatment estimated to have saved over 60 million lives worldwide. As Director of the Program on Ethical Issues in International Health, he has conducted over 60 international workshops on research ethics and led the Applied Diarrheal Disease Research Project, which supported over 150 studies across twelve countries. His contributions to global health have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the 2006 Prince Mahidol Award and the 2011 Fries Prize for Improving Health. Throughout his career at Harvard, he has taught courses ranging from International Health to Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, while maintaining visiting faculty positions at institutions worldwide, including BRAC University in Bangladesh and the University of Nagasaki. His work continues to influence global health policy and practice through his research on scaling up health programs and his leadership in developing ethical guidelines for international health research.

Vinod K. Paul has established himself as a distinguished pediatrician, public health expert, and policy maker, currently serving as a full-time Member of NITI Aayog where he leads the Health and Nutrition verticals. His academic career spans over three decades at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where he served as Head of the Department of Pediatrics and specialized in neonatology. His contributions to public health in India include pivotal roles in formulating the POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat initiative, while his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic saw him chairing the National Task Force and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration. His international influence extends through positions such as co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health board and membership in the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. His research excellence is evidenced by over 350 publications and editorship of 'Ghai Essential Pediatrics,' while his contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centenary Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research, the Ihsan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize from WHO, and fellowships in all three national science academies of India. Born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, Paul has dedicated his career to improving maternal and child health outcomes, developing health policies, and strengthening medical education in India

Dr. Hirokazu Yoshikawa stands as a prominent figure in global early childhood development and education, serving as the Courtney Sale Ross Professor of Globalization and Education at NYU Steinhardt and holding the distinguished position of University Professor at NYU. His unique academic journey, which includes degrees in English Literature from Yale, Music from Juilliard, and Psychology from NYU, has shaped his multidisciplinary approach to research and policy development.

Dr. Jack Shonkoff has established himself as one of the most influential figures in early childhood development, combining medical expertise with groundbreaking research and policy advocacy. As the Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Professor at Harvard University, he holds joint appointments at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Medical School.Throughout his distinguished career, Shonkoff has focused on translating scientific research into effective policies and practices for young children and families. His leadership as the founding Director of Harvard's Center on the Developing Child has been transformative in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding of early childhood development.

Dr. Michael E. Mann stands as one of the world's most influential climate scientists, currently serving as Presidential Distinguished Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and inaugural Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action. His groundbreaking work includes the famous "hockey stick" graph, which demonstrated unprecedented warming trends over the past millennium. After earning degrees from UC Berkeley and Yale University, Mann has shaped climate science through pioneering statistical techniques and climate reconstruction methods. His scientific contributions earned him election to both the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society, along with numerous prestigious awards including the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the Hans Oeschger Medal. As co-founder of RealClimate.org and author of several influential books, Mann has become a powerful voice in climate communication and policy advocacy. His recent legal victory in a defamation case, resulting in a $1 million judgment, highlighted his persistent defense of climate science against misinformation. Throughout his career at institutions including Penn State University and now UPenn, Mann has consistently worked to advance public understanding of climate change while contributing to major scientific assessments, including the IPCC Third Assessment Report, which helped earn the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for the IPCC.

Dr. Achim Dobermann has established himself as a leading authority in sustainable agriculture and plant nutrition through his extensive career spanning research, education, and policy development. As Chief Scientist of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), he provides crucial scientific guidance on responsible plant nutrition and nutrient stewardship worldwide

Dr. Ken Giller, Emeritus Professor of Plant Production Systems at Wageningen University, has dedicated his career to understanding and improving smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. His groundbreaking research focuses on soil fertility, nitrogen fixation in tropical legumes, and the complex dynamics of crop-livestock farming systems.

Dr. Jessica Fanzo stands as a leading authority in global food systems and nutrition policy, currently serving as Professor of Climate and Director of the Food for Humanity Initiative at Columbia Climate School. Her career spans over two decades of influential work connecting agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability in resource-limited settings.Before joining Columbia in 2023, Fanzo held the prestigious position of Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, where she led the Global Food Policy and Ethics Program. Her academic journey began with a PhD in Nutrition from the University of Arizona, followed by postdoctoral work in Immunology at Columbia University