Head of the Climate & Energy Program

• Jul 2021 - Present

Elena Crete is the Head of the Climate & Energy Program where she focuses on special initiatives for the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) and America’s Zero Carbon Action Plan. Elena serves as the central SDSN lead for the annual Zero Emissions Solutions Conference (ZESC), launched at COP22 in Morocco. She also coordinates the European Green Deal Senior Working Group. Part of Elena’s core portfolio is to help bring low-emission technologies, policies, and solutions to decision makers across networks and sectors to help implement the Paris Agreement.

Climate & Energy Program Manager

• Jun 2019 - Present

Manager

• Jan 2016 - Jun 2019

Launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) mobilizes scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable development problem solving at local, national, and global scales.I am responsible for an array of thematic and geographically focused actvities. A large part of my work portfolio consists of supporting the Andean, Southeast Asia and Indonesian Networks. These Networks each have their own goals for implementing and realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and my job is to assist local managers within each network in the priority activities for their region. Another part of my work portfolio consists supporting the climate themed activities of SDSN, including serving as the lead coordinator for SDSN Low-Emissions Solutions Conference at annual UN COPs.

Operations Manager

• May 2014 - Jan 2016

As Operations Manager for the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, I directly managed all general business operations including financial, organizational, and administration activities for the New York office Secretariat in coordination with the France and India offices. As a key member of the SDSN Secretariat, I also supported the substantive work of our eleven Thematic Groups, Regional and National Networks, and Deep Decarbonizations Pathways Project.

CGSD Coordinator

• Aug 2013 - May 2014

As the Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development (CGSD) Coordinator, I worked directly with the Director, Glenn Denning. I was responsible for overseeing accounting, vendor management and procurement for Center projects and personnel. I also managed website and social media communications, hiring, and grant opportunities and partnership prospecting as part of the New York central operations team. As the Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development (CGSD) Coordinator, I worked directly with the Director, Glenn Denning. I was responsible for overseeing accounting, vendor management and procurement for Center projects and personnel. I also managed website and social media communications, hiring, and grant opportunities and partnership prospecting as part of the New York central operations team.

Special Assistant to the Executive Director, Connect To Learn

• Oct 2011 - Aug 2013

Managed a multi-year girls’ scholarship program in 10 sub-Saharan African countries, resulting in 732 girls enrolled. Additionally I coordinated the implementation of broadband internet and laptop computers in the rural schools our scholars were enrolled in collaboration with leading telecom giant Ericsson. Regular activities included developing program protocols and handbook materials for on-site program start up and management. After launching a successful enrollment campaign, I worked with on-site field coordinators collecting and analyzing scholars’ academic records to ensure retention. Other responsibilities included developing content for grant applications, donor reports, website updates, and special events; and managing multi-year program budgets upwards of USD $1.5 million.

Associate Consultant

• Mar 2011 - Oct 2011

Researched innovative fundraising strategies to create a new dimension of performance to meet client‘s development goals. I also supported Chairman and CEO Laurence Pagnoni in client consultation meetings, helping to institute and contextualize our strategic recommendations. Researched innovative fundraising strategies to create a new dimension of performance to meet client‘s development goals. I also supported Chairman and CEO Laurence Pagnoni in client consultation meetings, helping to institute and contextualize our strategic recommendations.

Development Associate

• Oct 2010 - Jul 2011

Formulated 5 business development proposals for projects in Africa, with an estimated $1Million return on investment. To support this effort and other development activities, I created a prospecting and grant opportunity solicitation strategy to meet the company's annual fundraising goals.

Marketing and Communications Intern

• Feb 2010 - Sep 2010

Worked with the marketing department to increase public awareness and support for the initiatives implemented by the Millennium Promise organization to alleviate poverty in Africa and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Agriculture Survey Technician

• Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

Conducted 100 agriculture diversification surveys with rural sub-Saharan African farmers in Malawi and analyzed them with CS Pro software. My conclusions helped to quantitatively determine the effectiveness and impact of the innovative farming practices introduced during the previous 5 years of the project. These results helped determine future resource allocation and work plan development for the Millennium Villages Project. Conducted 100 agriculture diversification surveys with rural sub-Saharan African farmers in Malawi and analyzed them with CS Pro software. My conclusions helped to quantitatively determine the effectiveness and impact of the innovative farming practices introduced during the previous 5 years of the project. These results helped determine future resource allocation and work plan development for the Millennium Villages Project.

Communications Intern

• Sep 2009 - Jan 2010

Managed an outreach program for the Climate and Society Masters program in an attempt to increase enrollment in the 2011 class. Managed an outreach program for the Climate and Society Masters program in an attempt to increase enrollment in the 2011 class.

Survey Technician

• Jun 2009 - Jul 2009

Worked on board the Okeanos Explorer ship using SIS software and a multi-beam sonar system to map the ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Francisco. During this expedition we discovered a new hydrothermal vent along the ocean floor. I also helped organize a high profile media event at the conclusion of the voyage highlighting how the research vessel can help scientists identify new and valuable resource deposits. The event featured Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, introducing the Okeanos Explorer as an integral research tool in the US government’s deep-sea exploration missions.

Lab Technician

• Sep 2007 - May 2009

Worked with a SQUID magnetic field analysis program to determine the geologic age of rock samples from around the globe. The ages determined were incorporated into a larger project to determine the regional and global climatological patterns and biological extinctions which occurred during these time periods. Worked with a SQUID magnetic field analysis program to determine the geologic age of rock samples from around the globe. The ages determined were incorporated into a larger project to determine the regional and global climatological patterns and biological extinctions which occurred during these time periods.

Reseach Assistant

• Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

Compiled Climate records and analyzed trends using 50 years of precipitation and temperature data. Also worked on the summit of Mount Washington executing meteorological observations and measurements for local and long term weather reports. Compiled Climate records and analyzed trends using 50 years of precipitation and temperature data. Also worked on the summit of Mount Washington executing meteorological observations and measurements for local and long term weather reports.

Research Assistant

• May 2007 - Jun 2007

Worked on the RHAMBLE project in Cape Verde, Africa. Studied the behavior of atmospheric halogens within the marine boundary layer and their relationship with other compounds within the atmosphere. Worked on site in a clean lab collecting and storing samples. Also worked with a mass spectrometer to analyze sample constituents. During this research experience I had the opportunity to collaborate with research teams from Germany, England and California. Worked on the RHAMBLE project in Cape Verde, Africa. Studied the behavior of atmospheric halogens within the marine boundary layer and their relationship with other compounds within the atmosphere. Worked on site in a clean lab collecting and storing samples. Also worked with a mass spectrometer to analyze sample constituents. During this research experience I had the opportunity to collaborate with research teams from Germany, England and California.