An award-winning social entrepreneur, best-selling author and global impact leader, Roshan conceived Surge Climate Talent (formerly the Climate Talent Initiative) under the auspices of the Growald Climate Fund in 2022 and then worked to prove the concept as a grantee at IREX, before coming on board to lead the new initiative in the summer of 2024.

Roshan’s career has focused on creating impact globally, with over 20 years of global experience on 6 continents. At IREX, he managed a $130+ million multi-year portfolio and a team of over 90 people that worked with thousands of young leaders across more than 100 countries. Prior to IREX, Roshan co-founded Amani Institute in 2010 and co-led the organization from an idea to an award-winning social enterprise and the largest talent development organization for the social sector based in the global south. Under his tenure as CEO, Amani Institute trained and guided 10,000+ people from more than 65 countries. Based on this work, he co-authored the Amazon #1 bestseller The New Reason to Work: How to Build a Career that will Change the World and today writes the well-regarded newsletter Work Out Loud.

An award-winning social entrepreneur, best-selling author and global impact leader, Roshan conceived Surge Climate Talent (formerly the Climate Talent Initiative) under the auspices of the Growald Climate Fund in 2022 and then worked to prove the concept as a grantee at IREX, before coming on board to lead the new initiative in the summer of 2024.

Roshan’s career has focused on creating impact globally, with over 20 years of global experience on 6 continents. At IREX, he managed a $130+ million multi-year portfolio and a team of over 90 people that worked with thousands of young leaders across more than 100 countries. Prior to IREX, Roshan co-founded Amani Institute in 2010 and co-led the organization from an idea to an award-winning social enterprise and the largest talent development organization for the social sector based in the global south. Under his tenure as CEO, Amani Institute trained and guided 10,000+ people from more than 65 countries. Based on this work, he co-authored the Amazon #1 bestseller The New Reason to Work: How to Build a Career that will Change the World and today writes the well-regarded newsletter Work Out Loud.

Shehzia finds energy in supporting individuals to unlock their leadership potential and create more impact with their lives. A social impact and leadership consultant, she has expertise in leadership development, organizational development, strategic facilitation, mentoring, social innovation, and talent management. Prior to joining SCT, Shehzia spent the last 7 years of her career in the impact sector with Amani Institute (now Global Good x Amani). There, she served in multiple roles - Vice President of Growth, COO, Interim CEO and also India Country Director.

In the first decade of her career, Shehzia designed and facilitated learning & development (L&D) interventions in the corporate sector. She worked with Suzlon, a multinational renewable energy company, setting up their knowledge management and L&D departments within their infrastructure division. She also worked with leading financial services companies like Barclays and Société Générale, where she spearheaded behavioral learning, leadership development, and talent management initiatives. Passionate about the study of human behavior, she is MBTI certified and accredited in Harrison Assessments.

Saksham is passionate about ensuring the clean energy transition is done right. He is an expert in energy transition, climate action and trained in system change. Throughout his career, Saksham has created and led collaborations between unlikely stakeholders to amplify impact; one such being the Responsible Energy Initiative which he led from the beginning. At Surge Climate Talent, Saksham leads the Global Clean Energy Talent Initiative (G-CETI) which aims to build a resilient and skilled workforce for clean energy in the Global South.

Saksham started his journey on climate action by working with rural communities on ground to scale clean energy powered micro-enterprises and equitable energy access. Prior to joining Surge, Saksham led Forum for the Future’s work on energy transition, which involved bringing together with businesses, investors, manufacturers, corporate buyers and civil society on ensuring the clean energy transition is ecologically positive and socially just. He also worked with a range of businesses in pushing their ambition on sustainability towards a 1.5°C pathway, much beyond compliance.

A process geek, Saksham loves facilitating multi-day participatory discussions, practicing Futures skills such as scenario building and finding ways to turn climate doom into optimism. Beyond work, Saksham is an avid birder, a self proclaimed home chef and an amateur scuba diver. He lives in Goa, India.

Liz is passionate about bringing together people, civil society, and philanthropy to address pressing societal challenges and investing in the leadership needed to create impact. She is an experienced social impact leader and project manager with expertise in fellowship programs, leadership and organizational development, talent development, and program design.

Liz has spent the past nine years of her career in the social impact sector. Immediately prior to joining SCT, she led a portfolio of climate talent-focused fellowships at IREX, supporting professionals transitioning into social impact climate careers globally and strengthening leadership within the sector. Prior to this, she worked at Equal Justice Works, where she managed fellowships for early-career public interest attorneys in the United States. Liz began her career as an attorney at Freshfields, maintaining an extensive pro bono practice.

At SCT, Liz is excited to continue engaging in climate issues through the lens of people and organizations while also supporting team operations. She believes that nurturing leaders in the sector can have an outsized impact on organizations, communities, and ecosystems, and is excited to build and scale programs focused on people, organizations, and leadership that accelerate the clean energy transition.

Sarah's career has been driven by the conviction that climate action must go hand-in-hand with equity, and she is passionate about mobilizing resources and partnerships that uplift frontline communities while building a healthier planet for all. At Surge Climate Talent, she focuses on strengthening philanthropic and private sector engagement to expand equitable investment in climate talent across the Global South. Sarah brings 14 years of experience in business development, sustainable finance, climate resilience, and grantmaking for social impact in the Global South.

She has secured institutional partnerships and led multi-million-dollar proposals for USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Development Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, UNICEF, and numerous philanthropic and corporate foundations. At FHI 360, she directed business development efforts for climate resilience and workforce initiatives, cultivating partnerships with institutional donors and private sector actors around the globe. Sarah is also the Founder and Executive Director of ImpactPulse, a nonprofit using AI and SROI frameworks to strengthen transparency and rebuild trust in charitable giving.

Jenny has worked across the climate, education, and social investment sectors with a focus on community building, leadership development, and convenings. Prior to joining SCT, Jenny was at IREX where she worked on a portfolio of climate fellowships designed to support emerging leaders transitioning into careers in the climate civil society sector across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

She brings a deep passion for fostering meaningful connections and creating spaces where people can explore their role in building a more resilient future. What excites Jenny most about working in climate is the human stories behind the work from the individuals and communities driving change.

Jenny 2 has worked across the climate, education, and social investment sectors with a focus on community building, leadership development, and convenings. Prior to joining SCT, Jenny was at IREX where she worked on a portfolio of climate fellowships designed to support emerging leaders transitioning into careers in the climate civil society sector across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

She 2 brings a deep passion for fostering meaningful connections and creating spaces where people can explore their role in building a more resilient future. What excites Jenny most about working in climate is the human stories behind the work from the individuals and communities driving change.