Kiesha Farnum

Kiesha is an experienced organisational and project management professional with over 19 years of experience, focused on innovation for growth across a variety of sustainable development sectors. She has worked across 28 countries with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the former Department of Foreign Affairs and Development (DFAT-D) of the Government of Canada and the former Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Her work has traversed several thematic areas including climate change, eco-agritourism, regenerative agriculture, active labour market stimulation, as well as, education and leadership development for the public and private sector. She also gained extensive experience in program management and organizational leadership for NGOs during her tenure at the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad & Tobago. A firm believer in volunteerism, she continues to commit her time and expertise to various NGOs. In her role as Managing Director, at the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education and Design (WIRRED) Kiesha focused her efforts on the establishment of a not-for-profit think tank, research centre and consultancy dedicated to climate change and regenerative agroforestry practices. The organization is committed to the implementation of climate-smart strategies which demonstrate that ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation offer tremendous opportunities in achieving climate resilience. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors of WIRRED, working with a talented team to offer nature base solutions geared towards building habitat, increasing biodiversity and sequestering carbon, while reconnecting people to nature through eco-agritourism and educational experiences. Currently, Kiesha is the Director of Public Sector Projects with Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) where she continues to work to catalyse a multi-sector network that includes the private sector, public sector, academia, various industry sectors & economies and the community across the region and internationally. Kiesha holds a M.Sc. in Project Management, with a specialization in the Economics of Oil and Gas (& Renewable Energy) from the University of Liverpool, a BSc. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology & Management, from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has trained as an Executive Coach with Erickson Coaching International.