Esther Choi is a Research Lead for Nature-based Solutions and the Private Climate Sector at the World Resources Institute (WRI), where she leads initiatives to scale private sector contributions to nature and climate action. Her work focuses on aligning incentives, mobilizing knowledge and financial resources, and fostering strategic networks to accelerate corporate and investor engagement in nature-based solutions (NBS). In her previous role at WRI, Esther conducted research on de-risking strategies for international financial institutions and blended finance approaches to catalyze private sector investment in climate mitigation and adaptation. Her work provided insights into overcoming barriers to financing nature and climate solutions, informing policy and financial strategies for governments, development finance institutions, and corporate leaders.

With over a decade of experience in climate finance, sustainable development, and international governance, Esther has held research and advisory positions at leading institutions, including Stanford University’s Sustainable Finance Initiative, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the World Bank, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). She has worked across multiple geographies, engaging with policymakers, investors, and multilateral organizations to design financing mechanisms that drive climate action and sustainable economic growth. Her expertise spans blended finance, sustainable investment strategies, environmental governance, and public-private partnerships.

Esther holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley, where her research focused on global environmental politics, and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of the Environment. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.