I am a strategic advisor specializing in harnessing the power of markets to solve critical environmental issues and support sustainable development.
Developed projects and managed organizations operating around the world and under major international agreements, including the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer, and both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement to address climate change.
Worked with a wide range of organizations, including the private sector, governments, multilateral institutions, NGOs and philanthropies.
Unparalleled experience and a broad network of contacts that I can draw on to make your venture a success.
Between 2008 and 2023 served as Chief Executive Officer of Verra.
Led Verra to become the leading certification body in the voluntary carbon market and the standard-setter of choice for environmental markets and those dedicated to promoting sustainable development.
Grew staff from two to more than 140.
Spearheaded efforts to broaden the scope of the organization’s certification programs beyond carbon, to include promoting sustainable development and tackling plastic pollution.
Prior to working at Verra, worked at EcoSecurities, one of the pioneering companies developing projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Led EcoMethane, joint venture between EcoSecurities and Biogas Technology that developed landfill gas-to-energy projects worldwide (Brazil, Chile, China, Mexico, Peru, South Africa).
Worked on key infrastructure and procedural needs for the then nascent voluntary carbon market.
Global Climate Change Advisor for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mexico.
Worked closely with Mexican government and organizations to identify and implement initiatives to mitigate GHGs.
Oversaw efforts to develop baselines for both energy and forest projects.
Began international work at ICF Consulting.
Developed projects to recover/recycle ozone-depleting refrigerants around the world.
Supported several Latin American countries developing their GHG inventories.
Served on the team that verified the emission reductions achieved by one of the earliest GHG emission reduction projects.
Born and raised in Mexico City for 15 years and am fully bilingual and bicultural.
I worked with David for several years when he managed one of EcoSecurities' most important initiatives, a joint venture that developed landfill gas projects under the Clean Development Mechanism. David worked tirelessly and methodically to develop a strong pipeline of projects around the world that ended up being critical to the success of the company. After many years in the thick of carbon markets, David today has a perspective of its potential and limitations that is rare in this sector.
David is an individual of highest integrity, a thought leader and innovator in international carbon markets. I have known David for more than 15 years, and never ceased to be impressed about David’s commitment towards effective and equitable environmental markets.
David is one of the chief architects of the carbon markets. He is respected universally by his peers for his unwavering commitment, intelligence, insights, compassion, joyous energy, positivity, and dedication to advancing the market. As the founding CEO of Verra, he was instrumental in shaping the most influential and trusted standard globally. Under his leadership, his team built the infrastructure on which we all rely on today. On a personal note, I have had the pleasure of working with David for 15 years and count him as a dear friend and mentor. If you are reading this, my only hope is that you are lucky enough to work with him, as I have.
