I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and grew up in Ontario, Canada, before moving to Berlin, Germany, which I now get to call home. That path has given me a deep appreciation for global connection. The way ideas, people, and movements cross borders and strengthen each other.

For nearly a decade, I've worked with accelerators, investors, governments, corporates and NGOs to design and scale climate innovation programmes. I hold a Bachelor's in Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University, where I focused on international development, and a Master's in Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin, where I specialised in international diplomacy and gender studies. This foundation shaped how I think about systems-level change and the importance of centring people in climate work.

I've built networks connecting diverse stakeholders, designed capacity-building initiatives for entrepreneurs and government actors, and created strategic communications and content to help programmes gain visibility and reach beyond their immediate networks.

I spent five years at the German Energy Agency (dena) building the Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award from the ground up, growing it to 3,000+ applicants across 120+ countries within four years. I led partnerships with organisations like the World Energy Council and UNFCCC, coordinated bilateral programmes with governments in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Chile, and built a network of 100+ partners spanning investors, corporates, and accelerators globally. At Third Derivative (RMI), I spent three years leading ecosystem partnerships for their climate tech accelerator, connecting portfolio companies to media platforms, events, venture studios, and strategic corporates to expand their visibility and market opportunities.