RELEASE: WRI Welcomes Dr. Frannie Léautier and Yunli Lou to Global Board of Directors

WASHINGTON (December 11, 2024) - World Resources Institute (WRI) is pleased to announce two appointments to its Global Board of Directors. Dr. Frannie Léautier, Senior Partner and CEO of SouthBridge Investments, rejoined the Global Board this month, while Yunli Lou, Founder and Managing Partner of Milestone Capital Partners, has joined as a new member.

Yunli Lou has over two decades of experience in investment management, supporting entrepreneurs in the consumer, solar energy, healthcare, and electric vehicle sectors. She began her finance career at Goldman Sachs in the early 1990s and later oversaw Greater China direct investments at Merrill Lynch. A founding member of Harvard University's Global Advisory Council, Yunli was born and raised in Beijing and earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard College.

"I am thrilled to welcome Yunli as the newest member of WRI's Global Board," said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO of WRI. "Yunli brings a deep understanding of the private sector and a wealth of experience in navigating complex markets in China and beyond. Her fresh perspective and eye for innovation will be invaluable in advancing WRI's mission to accelerate the low-carbon transition in countries across the world."

"The intersection of innovation and sustainability holds immense promise", said Yunli Lou. "Collaborating with WRI to champion entrepreneurial thinking and support solutions that transform today's urgent challenges into opportunities for both people and planet is incredibly exciting. I look forward to working with WRI's talented team to turn ambitious ideas into meaningful progress that will benefit generations to come."

Dr. Frannie Léautier, who previously served on the Global Board for two years, is a global finance and development expert with decades of experience leading and transforming organizations across private, public and nonprofit sectors. Currently based in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr. Léautier is Senior Partner and CEO of SouthBridge Investments. She spent 15 years at the World Bank, serving as Vice President, Chief of Staff to the President and Infrastructure Director. She also served as Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank and held several leadership roles at The Trade and Development Bank (TDB) Group, including Vice Chair of the Board, Special Advisor to the President and TDB's first Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Léautier was born in Tanzania and earned a Master of Science and a PhD from MIT, along with honorary doctorates from North Central College and Lancaster University.

"Dr. Léautier's return to the Board is an exciting moment, building on her deep history with WRI", said WRI's Board Chair, David Blood. "Frannie helped to shape WRI's New Climate Economy work as a key member of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, she has been a longtime advisor to our cities program and has provided critical leadership in scaling WRI's restoration efforts in Africa. I'm incredibly pleased to welcome her back to the Global Board, where she will help drive WRI's vision for an inclusive transformation that supports vital landscapes, thriving cities and the well-being of the communities that rely on them."

"My return to the WRI Global Board feels like a homecoming," said Dr. Frannie Léautier. "Confronting global challenges requires the strength of diverse perspectives and active engagement across all sectors. WRI's exceptional convening ability and its strategic focus on people-centered solutions uniquely position it to drive transformative change. I am honored to rejoin WRI's Global Board and contribute to advancing its mission in ways that recognizes and empower those most impacted."

Find a complete list of WRI's Global Board Directors here.

About World Resources Institute

WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people's essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 2,000 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe.

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