OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
RUNA RAAY/ CHAIR
A Fashion Environmentalist and activist, Runa leads with a vision to unite fashion, art, and environmental sustainability. Her work focuses on creating circular solutions, advocating for climate action, and using fashion as a tool for activism. Her work with the United Nations and IUCN integrates nature-based solutions and design intelligence to address climate change and environmental justice.
MICHAEL STANLEY JONES
Michael is Senior Advisor to the Circular Research Foundation in Parabita, Italy, and an Environmental Policy and Governance Fellow with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) in Ontario, Canada. He also serves as an advisor to the Plastic-free Mediterranean Sea Initiative led by the Zoological Station Anton Dohrn in Italy. He has served as a communications consultant to the UN Environment Management Group and UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). His recent research addresses public participation in the adoption of sustainability standards, microplastic pollution, sustainable fashion, and the post-2030 sustainable development agenda.
SCOTT DAVID
SUCHITRA SUGAR
Suchitra Sugar, originally from Hungary, currently works at UNICEF in New York, where she global programs focused on climate action and child rights. With over 17 years of experience at the United Nations, she serves as the elected co-chair of the New York Staff Association Greening Committee. In this role, Suchitra leads initiatives that promote sustainable practices among staff, collaborates with various partners, and conducts surveys to assess the impact of their activities. Since 2013, she has co and organized the annual UN-wide Green Fair, a vibrant marketplace showcasing sustainable solutions to the UN staff community.
25 years of experience with the most recent 10 years building and leading teams across Asia. Building, scaling and leading diverse teams, gathering and synthesizing data to drive business decisions and outcomes.
Strong ability to consult, counsel and influence from the CXO level throughout the organization.
OUR ADVISORS
SATYA TRIPATI
Satya S. Tripathi is the Secretary-General of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Chancellor of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, and Senior Distinguished Fellow on Innovative Finance at the World Agroforestry Centre. A development economist, lawyer, and changemaker with over 40 years of experience, he has held key roles within the United Nations for over two decades, including UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office at UN Environment.
Mr. Tripathi has led initiatives such as post-tsunami recovery in Aceh, Indonesia, securing $7 billion in international funding, and spearheaded the $1 billion REDD+ partnership in Indonesia. He chaired UN-mediated Cyprus unification talks and led human rights investigations in post-war Bosnia. He also founded the Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility and the Sustainable India Finance Facility, leveraging private finance for transformative social and environmental impact. A former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Forests, Mr. Tripathi is dedicated to innovative solutions for sustainable development.
EMILIE MCGLONE , DIRECTOR OF PEACE BOAT US
Emilie McGlone has been working with Peace Boat since 2004 and currently is the United Nations liaison and Director of the New York-based office of Peace Boat US, a non-profit organization working to promote peace, sustainable development and respect for the environment through educational programs organized onboard the Peace Boat, a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages. Founded in 1983 and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008, Peace Boat has sailed on over 100 global voyages, carrying more than 60,000 people to more than 100 countries. Peace Boat holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and works in partnership with UN representatives, Nobel Peace Laureates and community leaders from around the world to create opportunities for international cooperation focused on environmental sustainability, cultural awareness and peace education. Emilie works to foster youth education and develops specific programs to learn about important global issues onboard the Peace Boat. In June of 2015, Emilie founded the “Youth for the SDGs” scholarship program which later became part of the initiatives for the United Nations Ocean Decade, and officially endorsed by IOC UNESCO in 2023 as a ‘Contribution’ to the Decade. This program will continue to educate and provide experiences for youth leaders working towards ocean and climate action around the world until 2030.
Peace Boat has recently launched a new initiative to build an Ecoship to sail around the world, showcasing green technology and design, while inspiring positive change to radically reduce our carbon footprint. Peace Boat is a committed campaigner for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sailing with the Global Goals Logo on the hull of the ship. Peace Boat's Ecoship Project will build the world’s most sustainable passenger ship. A flagship for the SDGs, Ecoship seeks to address ocean acidification with reduced carbon emissions and significantly reduce marine pollution.