WASHINGTON, DC (July 12, 2021) — As Ani Dasgupta becomes World Resources Institute’s new President and CEO, Rogier van den Berg has been named as the acting Global Director of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and he will lead a transition team in the search process for a permanent leader.

“I am honored and excited to lead WRI Ross Center in this critical moment for cities around the world,” said van den Berg. “I look forward to building on our unique network of global and local expertise, our talented staff, and our brilliant partners and donors. We will continue to support cities becoming more resilient, inclusive and low-carbon, as cities adapt to the COVID pandemic and begin rebuilding.”

Van den Berg joined WRI Ross Center as Director for Urban Development in 2020, focusing on global programming for urban land use, climate change adaptation, equitable development, urban data analytics and more. He is an urban planning and development specialist, architect, and academic who had previously led UN-Habitat’s Urban Lab.

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is WRI’s program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone. Through innovative research, deep engagement with urban leaders, and global partnerships, the Center’s network of local and international experts puts cities on a trajectory of more sustainable and equitable development.

Van den Berg will be supported by a transition team comprised of senior directors in his new role and in the search process for a permanent Global Director for WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. The transition team includes Adriana Lobo, Executive Director of WRI Mexico; Toni Lindau, head of WRI Brasil Ross Center; Madhav Pai, head of WRI India Ross Center; Leo Horn-Phathanothai, head of WRI’s UK office and Strategy and Partnerships Director for WRI Ross Center; and Anjali Mahendra, Director of Global Research for WRI Ross Center.

Dasgupta, who led WRI Ross Center for seven years, was chosen last month as WRI’s new President and CEO by WRI’s Board of Directors. Dasgupta has a rich record as a creative leader bringing bold solutions to complex challenges at the nexus of the environment and economic development. He is only the fourth president in the organization’s nearly 40-year history. Dasgupta follows Andrew Steer, who left earlier this year to join the Bezos Earth Fund as its first President and CEO. 

WRI is also pleased to announce that Michael Doust is joining WRI Ross Center as Director for Urban Efficiency and Climate. Doust will lead global programming on inclusive climate and energy planning. As a core member of the Cities Executive Team, he will also help guide the overall strategy of the program.

“I’m delighted to be joining WRI at this critical time,” said Doust. “Integrated and inclusive climate planning lies at the heart of developing sustainable cities and WRI’s research-driven approach and deep expertise across multiple programs position it as one of the leading organizations to help facilitate this transition.”

Doust is a cities and climate specialist. Prior to joining WRI, he served as the Director of Measurement and Planning at C40 Cities, where he was responsible for, among other projects, delivery of a global technical assistance program supporting inclusive and science-based climate action planning in C40 cities. Previously Doust worked for the Greater London Authority, two other municipal authorities in the UK as well as the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

###

About World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,000 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org.

About WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is World Resources Institute’s program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone. It enables more connected, compact and coordinated cities. The Center expands the transport and urban development expertise of the EMBARQ network to catalyze innovative solutions in other sectors, including air quality, water, buildings, land use and energy. It combines the research excellence of WRI with two decades of on-the-ground impact through a network of more than 370 experts working from Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Turkey and the United States to make cities around the world better places to live. More information at www.wrirosscities.org.