Zola Berger-Schmitz is a Target Validation Manager at the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global partnership that catalyzes companies to set ambitious GHG reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Within the SBTi, Zola focuses on evaluating corporate emissions reduction targets, and helps oversee key technical projects and engagement work. Over the past year, she has been involved in leading the adoption of the SBTi’s net-zero validation process.

Zola has a wide breadth of experience across the corporate sustainability arena and the public sector. Prior to her role at WRI/SBTi, she served as a sustainability analyst at American Honda Motor Company. At Honda, she helped spearhead the company's regional climate resilience strategy, and co-led the development of a green finance framework for North America. Before entering the private sector, Zola worked at the US Senate, and served as a climate intern at the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Resilience. For over a decade, she has been involved in environmental advocacy, testifying in front of government agencies to advance climate and renewable energy policy at the statewide level.

Zola holds an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation with distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in Political Science and Music summa cum laude from Emory University, where she was a Robert Woodruff Scholar and a Udall Scholar.

Aside from her environmental pursuits, Zola enjoys playing violin and viola, and reading mystery novels.