Dr. Amanda Bielawski is a visionary global sustainability leader

recognized as an expert at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world. She has more than 20 years of experience as an executive leader, Chief Impact Officer, researcher, and advisor across the United Nations, two of the world’s leading sustainability think tanks, the private sector, and

nonprofit organizations. Her work focuses on the intersection of water, climate, and nature—along with their interconnected social dimensions.

Amanda is known as a connector of strategic vision, science, organizations, funding, and teams to drive measurable multi-sector action and impact. Her leadership has helped shape

sustainability initiatives with partners including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Fortune 500 companies, national governments, Indigenous leaders and communities, philanthropists, and local communities.

Amanda leads critical conversations resulting in multi-million-dollar funding commitments and has led the development of multi-sector convenings during the UN General Assembly, UN Climate COP, and World Economic Forum annual meeting, uniting stakeholders to act on key issues.

Dr. Bielawski co-developed and launched the global private sector water agreement highlighted as a key outcome of the historic 2023 United Nations Water Conference. Now signed by more than 70 global corporations with operations spanning more than 140 countries, the agreement continues to catalyze action within multinational corporations’ operations and supply chains, as well as collective action that aims to build resilience across 100 regions by 2030.

Amanda holds a PhD in Sustainability, an MBA, and a Master of Science in Environmental Law and Policy. Her doctoral research focused on the merging of the global water and climate agendas with an analysis of nature-based solutions across more than 25 countries.

Amanda has served on the executive leadership team and as a board member for a range of nonprofit organizations. She holds executive credentials from Harvard, NYU Stern School of Business, and Competent Boards. Amanda holds the Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP) credential recognizing social sector executive leadership and the Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) accreditation, the highest-level credential from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), recognizing leaders in the field. She is a member of Rotary International.

Dr. Bielawski currently serves in a leadership role for Project Drawdown, the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions. There, she is advancing the strategy to influence

billions of dollars in philanthropic and investing climate capital—towards the most effective solutions based on science. She also serves as a university adjunct faculty member.