Catalysing Change, in a Transforming World

November 11, 2021, By Sophie le Clue

On 1^st November, I stepped in to ADMCF’s CEO role following Lisa’s move into her new position at ADM Capital, building funds with a climate focus. After 15 years steering ADM Capital Foundation, Lisa has joined our existing four board members (Robert Appleby, Chris Botsford, Denys Firth and Neil Harvey) and will continue to provide advice and governance to ADMCF. So, we are not saying goodbye!

I joined ADMCF a year after its founding in 2007 and it’s been an amazing journey. In the years since, the environmental challenges that seemed intransigent back then, have in many areas intensified and continued to cause local, regional and global concern. At the same time, we have seen improvements: local air quality has been creeping in the right direction; water risks in China have been mainstreamed in the investor community; environmental regulations are being tightened; businesses and NGOs are collaborating to address myriad issues including waste and sustainable supply chains; and importantly realistic financial models for nature-based solutions are fast developing.

As COP26 continues into its second week however, the global response to Climate Change is paramount – what is decided by the end of this week will affect every biome on the planet, in every country, and in our life time. Environmental baselines are changing as the effects of Climate Change take hold and our focus will inevitably move toward more adaptation work, while still working on mitigation where we can.

At this pivotal time, we are more committed than ever to continue to work regionally and locally in advancing science-based research, supporting in-situ projects, creating and/or participating in policy dialogue, convening platforms, incubating organizations and ideas, and engaging with communities. We will do this with our fantastic network of partners, both funders and NGOs and the continued support of a board that is both visionary and pragmatic.

As we continue to adapt to and address the impacts of COVID-19 on our work, paired with critical environmental challenges, the coming years will be as busy as ever! The Foundation is driven by committed and passionate people and we look forward to catalysing change, in a transforming world.

Sophie le Clue

I joined ADMCF a year after its founding in 2007, and for the past 28 years i have worked in the field of environmental protection and conservation, principally in the Asia Pacific region. Since joining the Foundation, the environmental challenges that seemed intransigent back then, have in many areas intensified and continued to cause local, regional and global concern. At the same time, we have seen improvements: local air quality has been creeping in the right direction; water risks in China have been mainstreamed in the investor community; environmental regulations are being tightened; businesses and NGOs are collaborating to address myriad issues including waste and sustainable supply chains; and importantly realistic financial models for nature-based solutions are fast developing. In late 2021, I stepped in to ADMCF’s CEO role following Lisa Genasci’s move into her new position at ADM Capital.

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Catalysing Change, in a Transforming World