Meet the IofC COP17 team!

Jennifer Helgeson is currently a PhD student at the London School of Economics Grantham Centre for Climate Change and the Environment researching how people perceive climate change-related risks. She also acts as a consulting economist for Grameen Foundation and is Vice-Chair on Climatico’s board. Following the completion of her BA Economics at Brandeis University, Jennifer spent a year researching Environmental Economics issues on a Fulbright Grant to Norway. She earned her MS Environmental Change and Management with a focus on Environmental Economics at the University of Oxford, UK. In addition, Jennifer has worked for the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Firyal Mohamed recently gradated from the University of Calgary with a BSc Environmental Science and a BA Development Studies. She comes to the Caux Environment and Economy team with a strong passion for social and environmental justice and is interested in new and creative ways of engaging with the complexity of global climate change challenges. Firyal is eager to contribute to the team on-the-ground in Durban to promote and ensure climate change action that prioritizes the moral and ethical principles of climate change action, over economic, political and short-term gains

Cassie Meador is currently the Artistic Director of a Maryland, USA based art’s organization, Dance Exchange. Her work as a choreographer and educator engages artists, communities and diverse thinkers, through artistic collaboration, to expand the landscape of cultural participation as it related to environmental change. Cassie is interested in examining the power of storytelling as a way to create social and environmental change. She believes stories are what inspire people to be agent of change within their own communities.

Wei Heng Fong is a social entrepreneur with a background in property development and a vested interest in climate change. In Durban, he hopes to assist the IofC team gain and maintain momentum in the constantly evolving field of climate change by shaping positive development through bridging generational and social gaps, thus facilitating productive communication between parties. He believes IofC’s ability to relate to all levels of society without appearing judgmental is its best tool.

Christa Lane Hooper is currently a dual degree graduate student in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Public Health. What interests her most is how development, environmental health and human rights interact and how trauma healing plays a role in many post-conflict settings. She is in Durban because she sees climate change as a pertinent and time sensitive issue that needs community support to really address it effectively. Christa believes the contribution that IofC can make to COP17 is so essential because the organization is experienced at bridging divides and enabling diverse communities to unite over similar interests.

Rishabh Khanna is the co-founder of the Indian Youth Climate Network, part of YOUNGO (Youth Constituency in the UNFCCC) and a former South Asia campaign co-coordinator for 350.org. He holds degrees in Economic Development, Environmental Law and Management, International Law and Diplomacy and is passionate about applying the principle of social biomimicry in the global economy and our collective connection to mother Earth.