Dr. Wuester leads ICAT and directs its day-to-day work based on the Initiative’s strategic plan. He manages ICAT’s secretariat and acts as the public face of the Initiative.

Dr. Wuester comes with a rich and longstanding experience in climate change and sustainable development. Prior to joining ICAT, he worked in the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) overseeing the Agency’s work on knowledge, policy, and finance. Previously, Dr. Wuester served the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as Senior Manager at the Interim Secretariat. He also worked in several positions within the United Nations system, as Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in several roles in the secretariat of the Convention on Transboundary Air Pollution.

Dr. Wuester holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Munich, where he started his career as assistant professor.

Oleg is Senior Programme Officer and coordinates the development and implementation of  ICAT’s strategies and regional and country projects.

Oleg brings to ICAT hands-on experience in climate finance, MRV, and carbon markets. Prior to ICAT, he managed climate finance accounting and reporting at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Previously Oleg developed the carbon markets regulatory framework at the UNFCCC secretariat and provided climate change consultancy services in Ukraine.

Oleg holds a degree in nuclear engineering from the Ukrainian National Technical University. He is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Celeste is Programme Officer, providing support to ICAT’s country/regional engagement and the ICAT toolbox.

Prior to joining UNOPS, she worked as a Climate Policy Analyst focusing on Latin American countries at Climate Analytics Berlin. Before relocating to Germany, Celeste worked as a coordinator for Paraguay’s national GHG inventory with the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme, where her role involved providing support and advice on topics such as transparency negotiations, national communications and BURs, climate policies, and project development.

Celeste holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Asuncion, as well as a master’s degree in Environmental Management with a major in Sustainable Development from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Celeste is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Hannah is a Climate Change Expert and manages ICAT’s training and capacity development activities, including coordinating the development of the ICAT toolbox.

Before joining ICAT, she worked for UNOPS where she was responsible for coordinating and managing global capacity building and training programmes. She has also worked in academic institutions as a lecturer in climate change and disaster risk reduction, and has worked in various locations in the Asia-Pacific region on climate change, disaster risk reduction and adaptation programmes.

Hannah holds a PhD in Development Studies and is based out of ICAT’s Copenhagen office in Denmark.

Sarah is a Project Officer of ICAT, managing grant and procurement operations as well as ICAT’s M&E framework.

Prior to ICAT, Sarah has worked with project and information management, coordination and logistics in the humanitarian/development sector.

Sarah is based in UNOPS offices in the UNCity in Copenhagen.

Lauren is ICAT’s Project Support Officer and supports grant operations as well as managing ICAT’s M&E framework.

Prior to ICAT, Lauren worked as a teaching assistant at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, where she completed her Master of Environmental and Sustainability Science.

Lauren is based out of the UN City, Copenhagen.

Teresa has joined ICAT to support in the areas of grant administration, procurement and general administration.

Prior to joining ICAT, Teresa has worked as an Administrative and Operations Coordinator in two different UN Peacekeeping missions, where she was responsible for monitoring and reporting on operational processes and targets related to Supply Chain and Performance Management. She further has worked on projects focused on facilitating cooperation between private and public stakeholders.

Teresa holds Bachelor’s degrees in Geography and Anthropology and in Business Administration. She is based in the ICAT office in Bonn.

Diana is ICAT’s Research and Administration Assistant, supporting the research, administration and partnerships duties of the Secretariat.

A native of Quito, Ecuador, Diana is a seasoned professional with a strong academic background in International Affairs from Universidad Internacional del Ecuador. She holds master’s degrees in Project Management from UPV in Spain and Development and Governance from Universität Duisburg – Essen, Germany.

Diana’s career began at the Ministry of Agriculture in Ecuador, where she specialized in negotiations and international cooperation. She has since made significant contributions to NGOs and international organizations such as Hivos, IICA, GIZ, and the UN, focusing on livelihoods in rural areas, sustainable agriculture, and climate change across her country and Latin America.

She is based out of ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Noemi is Research and Administration Assistant at ICAT, where she supports the research, administration and partnerships duties of the Secretariat.

Prior to ICAT, Noemi worked in the formulation and implementation of human mobility projects and policies (including on the nexus between climate change and migration), with organisations such as the Belgian development Agency (Enabel), the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

She is based out of ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Karen is Head of Communications of the ICAT team. 

Before joining ICAT, Karen was head of global communications for the Bonn-based Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), where she structured the organization’s communications strategy around storytelling. Previously, she worked with various communications agencies in South Africa, where she represented clients across the African continent. She then managed communications for the International AIDS Society, initially for its  conferences in Durban and Barcelona; and later for the entire organization, based in Geneva. Before moving to Bonn to join FSC, Karen was head of communications for Eli Lilly’s Global Health Programs.

Karen holds a National Diploma in Public Relations and a BSc (Honors). She is based at ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Eleni is Communications Officer, supporting ICAT’s communications and outreach activities.

Prior to joining ICAT, Eleni worked in administrative, project management and communications roles for UNOPS and the European Parliament.

Eleni holds Masters degrees in International Law and Development Studies. She is based out of ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Laura is ICAT’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Uptake (MELU) intern, supporting the implementation of ICAT’s MELU framework.

Prior to joining ICAT, Laura worked as a Student Researcher Assistant for the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), with a focus on Private Sector Engagement in German Development Cooperation and German Support Measures for Decentralisation in Africa. She was responsible for supporting qualitative evaluations on research processes and objectives. She has also worked on research projects for Leuphana University’s Centre for the Study of Democracy and Security and Institute of Sustainability Governance (INSUGO).

Laura holds a Master’s degree in Public Economic Law and Policy from Leuphana University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. She is based in ICAT’s Bonn office.

Aissatou is a Climate Change Intern in the ICAT secretariat, providing support to ICAT’s country and regional engagement.

Prior to joining ICAT, Aissatou worked at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs Regions and Cities as a Policy Analyst Intern, where she investigated the impacts carried by green and digital transitions on the future of work. Aissatou also has previous experience working at the local level, supporting non-profits, foundations and city councils to achieve their climate strategy through data collection, policy research and project management.

Aissatou has a Master’s degree in Urban Governance from Sciences Po and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Essex.

She is based in Bonn, Germany.

Giorgia is a Climate Change Intern in the ICAT secretariat, providing support to ICAT’s country and regional engagement.

Giorgia is a researcher and designer originally from Sicily, Italy. Prior to joining ICAT Giorgia contributed to several projects in developing countries and conflict zones. Most recently, she collaborated with UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit, Dalberg and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies to tackle the Middle East’s environmental issues through peace-building.

Giorgia has an academic background in design for social impact from NABA University in Milan, research on refugees rights from the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, and environmental studies from the Department of Environment & Earth Sciences of Tel Aviv University.

She is based out of ICAT’s offices in Bonn, Germany.