Dr. Deepal Doshi is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geography at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU). Her research focuses on questions of urban risk, adaptation finance and risk governance – particularly in the Global South. She also serves as a Chapter Scientist in the IPCC’s upcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.

Mr. Adheesha Perera is a member of the Climate Action Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a leading business chamber in Sri Lanka, and serves as its Climate Finance Subcommittee Lead. He also serves as a Member of the Stakeholder Committee on Sustainable Finance hosted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and as a Core Group Member of Sri Lanka Banks’ Association’s Sustainable Banking Initiative. He has over 14 years of experience in advocating for policy and best practice in sustainability, particularly in the private sector and financial sector in Sri Lanka and in engagements with youth movements. Adheesha is a lead member of a collaborative initiative to set-up a country finance platform / national blended finance facility in Sri Lanka. At Adaptation Futures 2023, Adheesha co-organized the Session (session 362) on “Inclusive Approaches for Effective Mobilization of Adaptation Finance”.

Laura Whitford oversees TNC’s global adaptation finance and partnerships efforts. She has worked in Asia Pacific for over 20 years on partnerships, policies and programs focused on sustainable resource management, climate adaptation, equity and economic development. She has graduate degrees in Environmental Management and International Development, Communication and Psychology. Lulu Zhou is Director of Strategic Partnerships for Climate Resilience, Asia Pacific. Prior to this, she was TNC’s Director, Strategic Partnerships (Asia Pacific) and Hong Kong Program Lead. Before joining TNC, Ms. Zhou worked at the UN Foundation. She holds a BA in Tourism Management MS in Conservation Social Sciences. Olya is a Nature-based Solutions Project Manager overseeing the delivery of the blue carbon and teal carbon workstreams. Olya’s primary focus is working with TNC’s iwi-hapū partners, local communities, researchers and government to showcase Aotearoa’s first coastal wetland and peatland restoration projects, supported by carbon and nature markets.

Lulu Zhou is Director of Strategic Partnerships for Climate Resilience, Asia Pacific. Prior to this, she was TNC’s Director, Strategic Partnerships (Asia Pacific) and Hong Kong Program Lead. Before joining TNC, Ms. Zhou worked at the UN Foundation. She holds a BA in Tourism Management MS in Conservation Social Sciences.