WASHINGTON (September 2 , 2015)—World Resources Institute is very pleased to announce that Pamela P. Flaherty, former CEO of Citi Foundation, has joined its Board of Directors.

“I am truly delighted to welcome Pam to WRI’s Board, where she will add her deep knowledge and experience in sustainability to our organization,” said Jim Harmon, chairman of the Board of Directors. “Pam’s commitment to philanthropy and socially conscious banking have made her one of the most respected leaders in the financial sector. She brings tremendous experience and a unique perspective to WRI’s Board.”

Flaherty recently retired as CEO of Citi Foundation and director of corporate citizenship at Citi. In her role as director of corporate citizenship, Flaherty led Citi's Corporate Sustainability team and acted as senior adviser to a unit tasked with assessing and mitigating the environmental and social impacts of client projects.

At Citi, Flaherty was a driving force in guiding its sustainability strategy, reducing the bank’s emissions 25 percent and spearheading the company’s $50 billion Climate Initiative aimed at supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technology. Under her leadership, Citi was one of the founders and original signatories of the Equator Principles, which provide guidelines for assessing environmental and social risks in the financial sector.

“We are deeply honored that Pam has joined our Board. She has been a trailblazer in the financial industry and a true champion for sustainability," said Dr. Andrew Steer, president and CEO, WRI. “Pam is a visionary who helped move the financial industry to better understand and manage environmental and social risk. At a time when private sector engagement is essential to tackling climate change, creating sustainable cities, and managing the Earth’s precious resources, Pam's experience will inform our strategy to create a healthier and more prosperous world.”

Since the 1990s, WRI and Citi have worked closely together on a range of issues, including climate change, the Equator Principles, environmental entrepreneurship, business school education, and integrating environmental considerations into equity research.

“I am thrilled to join the WRI Board,” said Flaherty. “I have worked with WRI’s leadership and staff for many years and have the highest regard for their capabilities and, more importantly, the results they achieve. It will be wonderful to work with their committed and talented Board under the leadership of Jim Harmon and Andrew Steer. WRI is a global research organization working to protect the environment while advancing economic opportunity. I am looking forward to engaging with them on crucial issues, like sustainable cities, climate, energy and more.”

Flaherty has held numerous senior positions at Citi, including Director of Human Resources and head of Citigroup’s Global Corporate Social Responsibility practice. In addition, Flaherty recently concluded her appointment as chair of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University and has also held positions on the Boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Kenyon College, Colonial Williamsburg, and The Nature Conservancy Long Island Chapter. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Flaherty was an honoree at WRI’s 2014 Courage to Lead luncheon.

A complete list of WRI’s Board directors is available here: http://www.wri.org/about/board.