Rachael Axelrod is the Global Program Manager for the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (the Lab) based in San Francisco. In her role, she supports all aspects of the Lab, coordinating global processes, supporting the Lab’s team of 20+ staff and consultants, and working with the Lab’s ever-expanding network of public and private sector partners to build on its success as a catalyst in blended finance and climate investment.

Before her role at CPI, Rachael worked as a Senior Program Officer on the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Climate Adaptation team, where she managed a project funded by the Global Environmental Facility focused on building resilience in the nature-based tourism sector in eastern and southern Africa. She also supported managing several locally led adaptation initiatives focused on pairing access to finance with communities in WWF priority landscapes.

Previously, Rachael held program and grant management positions at an impact investing firm, the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF), and the Millenium Challenge Corporation. Rachael started her career in inclusive and sustainable finance at Kiva Microfunds and later at Grameen Foundation.

Rachael holds a master’s degree in International Affairs and Development Economics from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University.