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Neel Dharwadkar

Program Manager, Adaptation and Resilience

Neel Dharwadkar serves as a Program Manager, Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation. As part of a recently formed team, Neel is building out the global adaptation program for ClimateWorks and the broader philanthropy sector with a focus on the Global South. He seeks to accelerate philanthropic, public, and private sector investment in climate adaptation to close the enormous adaptation finance gap facing climate-vulnerable states and communities across the world. Neel looks forward to partnering with organizations to advance shared goals centered on climate justice.

 

Prior to joining ClimateWorks, Neel’s work involved mobilizing climate adaptation finance in the Global South, building strategic partnerships from grassroots community organizations to multilateral institutions, and leading organizational strategy for climate events like the annual UN COPs, Earth Day, and global and regional climate weeks. Neel studied climate policy and sustainability at Duke University where he graduated with an MBA/MPP joint-degree. His work experience spans across India, US, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Spain, Ethiopia, Nigeria, UK, and Switzerland.

 

Outside of work, Neel enjoys hiking in the nature and especially outdoors that are accessible by public transit. He is a ‘slow traveler’ who likes to spend over a month at a new place and has stayed with locals in 50+ countries. As a first-generation college graduate and first-generation immigrant, Neel likes to volunteer to assist aspiring students with similar backgrounds. He co-founded LIFE (Low-Income First-generation Experience) clubs at Duke University’s business and policy schools to campaign against legacy admissions and support LIFE-background students. Neel loves cooking sustainably sourced seafood and hosting Chinese hotpot socials. He is currently on long journeys in learning Spanish and Tennis!