Pradeep Nair named Ford Foundation regional director for sub-continent

New York, March 8 (IANS) Pradeep Nair, who previously headed then US President Bill Clinton's Climate Initiative in India, was on Wednesday named The Ford Foundation regional director for its office serving India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

"A seasoned public and private sector leader, Nair brings deep regional expertise and more than 20 years of experience building partnerships among government, corporate, philanthropic, and civil society partners in the dynamic South Asia region," a Ford Foundation statement said.

Nair will guide the foundation's operations in New Delhi with a staff of more than 30. "Following a period of renewal, he assumes leadership over a revised program focus that represents a fresh start for the foundation and its recently registered branch office," the statement added.

Nair's global experience and leadership "and his expertise in building partnerships in the region will be a great asset as our work in South Asia enters a new chapter," said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation.

Nair joins the Ford Foundation with an impressive record of guiding the growth and development of regional institutions. As India country director of the US-based Institute for Sustainable Communities, he established the organisation's India office and was instrumental in forming strong relationships with the Indian government, the private sector and NGO communities across Asia.

As head of Clinton's Climate Initiative in India, Nair "helped to grow the regional chapter of the global cities network, chaired by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He also helped to foster the first investments in clean energy by India's large state governments, and advised national government agencies on key health and environmental policies. The success of this work was highlighted by President Clinton at the United Nation", the statement said.

Nair has taught development project financing at business schools in India and mentored entrepreneurs in engineering colleges. He most recently served as programme director of the US-based Volcker Alliance, where he played a critical role in shaping the organisation's mission and drove partnerships with government to improve public sector effectiveness.

Nair holds an MBA in finance from Karnataka University, an engineering degree in electronics from Bharathiar University, and has also studied filmmaking. He began his career with the management consulting firm Deloitte in Silicon Valley.

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