Verra, the leading global standards-setter for climate action and sustainable development, has announced the appointment of Mandy Rambharos as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 12. Mandy succeeds Judith Simon, who has served as interim CEO following the departure of founding CEO David Antonioli.
Mandy’s appointment follows an extensive search by a top global search firm, aimed at finding a leader with significant experience in carbon markets, robust stakeholder relationships, and a track record of successful implementation. With over 15 years of experience as a negotiator for South Africa and Africa at the UN climate talks, including chairing negotiations on carbon markets (CDM and Article 6), Mandy is well-positioned to steer Verra’s strategy amidst the evolving voluntary carbon market.
Mandy was instrumental in the Just Energy Transition Partnership agreed at COP26 in Glasgow between South Africa and Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Mandy also served on the Verra Board of Directors from 2019 to 2021 before rejoining in 2023.
A current Verra Board member, Mandy brings a deep understanding of the organisation to her new role. She takes the helm of Verra from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where she served as vice president for global climate cooperation, leading EDF’s strategy to promote well-designed carbon pricing and markets that support the transformation toward a low-emissions future.
Before her role at EDF, Mandy spent 20 years at South Africa’s largest electric utility, Eskom Holdings and played a key role in transitioning it from coal to renewables, helping the company aim to reduce carbon emissions by 71 million metric tons annually by the decade’s end. She also advised South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission on clean energy and social justice initiatives.
“We are delighted to welcome Mandy as our new CEO. Her experience is unparalleled, and we are confident that her poise and expertise in organizational excellence and her decades of work in the carbon markets will allow her to hit the ground running on day one and lead Verra,” said Ken Markowitz, Verra Board Chair.
About taking the new position as the CEO, Mandy Rambharos said, “I am honored to lead the organisation I have had the privilege to work with as a Board member. As I assume this new role, I will drive strong governance, responsive global stakeholder engagement that is inclusive and transparent, efficient processes with quick turnaround times, and that ultimately deliver our common goal—reducing carbon emissions for a climate-resilient, flourishing planet for all.”
