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The Global Center on Adaptation Announces Senior Appointments

Rotterdam, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today announces four strategic senior appointments, reinforcing its leadership team as it scales its global adaptation agenda. His Excellency Macky Sall, Chair of GCA’s Supervisory Board, and Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, GCA President and CEO, welcome:

  • Matthew McKinnon, Vice President, External Affairs and Policy
    Leads GCA’s policy, advocacy, external relations and partnership activities.
  • Edward Mharadzira, Vice President, Finance and Operations
    Oversees administration, finance, operations and donor compliance.
  • Dr. Purvi Mehta, Senior Advisor, Partnerships (AAAP)
    Shapes the transition of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program into its second phase (2026–2030).
  • Kristina Tanso, Development Director
    Heads institutional fundraising and strategic resourcing to ensure GCA’s sustainable growth.

“These appointments reflect GCA’s growing role on the world stage,” said H.E. Macky Sall. “I warmly welcome this strengthened leadership team, which brings the experience, diversity and vision needed to accelerate adaptation where efforts where they are needed most.”

“As we scale our impact and deepen partnerships, this expanded leadership brings vital expertise to advance GCA’s mission,” added Professor Verkooijen. “I look forward to working closely with our new colleagues to drive innovation, scale finance and impact in adaptation worldwide.”

Senior Leadership Profiles

Matthew McKinnon (New Zealand)
Matthew McKinnon brings over 20 years of international experience including at the United Nations (UNDP, UNICEF, UN Secretariat) and as advisor to 7th UN Secretary–General Kofi Annan (2007–2010). He served as founding head of the secretariat of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 (2010–2023) leading its successful spearheading of calls to enshrine a 1.5°C goal in the Paris Agreement, and advising government delegations from Africa, Asia, America and the Pacific in the UN climate negotiations. He has also edited several global assessments on the impact of climate change and chairs the Advisory Board of MSC Foundation.

Edward Mharadzira (Zimbabwe)
Edward Mharadzirwa brings an extensive background in financial management and deep knowledge of GCA work, backed by over 18 years of senior experience in global development organizations, both in the field and at headquarters. With a strong foundation in leading financial strategy, internal controls, risk mitigation, and donor compliance, Edward Mharadzirwa has played a key role in strengthening financial governance at GCA through his prior role as Senior Director of Finance and Operations.

Dr. Purvi Mehta (India)
Purvi Mehta joins the GCA as a senior advisor with over 27 years of experience in agriculture, climate adaptation, and development partnerships across Asia and Africa. She previously served as Senior Advisor and Asia Director at the Gates Foundation, leading global initiatives in climate adaptation and scaling innovation and as a regional program coordinator at CGIAR. She is also Adjunct Professor at Cornell University and serves on a number of global boards and advisory panels including the World Food Prize, MIT’s JWAS Global Climate and Food Alliance and Advanta.

Kristina Tanso (United Kingdom)
Ms. Tanso joins GCA from the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division, where she has served as Senior Development Advisor for Pediatrics and Rare Diseases, expanding the Department's private and public philanthropic portfolio internationally. With over 12 years of experience leading strategic development activities for organizations including the Nature Conservancy, Teach for All and Room to Read, she is also Adjunct Professor on Development at the University of Hong Kong.


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President of Ghana Joins Board of Global Center on Adaptation

Rotterdam/Nairobi, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today announced that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, has joined its Board. He joins a distinguished group of global leaders – including Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania; William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya and Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands – committed to advancing climate adaptation as an urgent development and economic priority.

President Mahama’s appointment comes as GCA deepens its work across Africa through its flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, which has shaped over $15 billion in adaptation investments in 40 countries. With the opening of its new headquarters in Nairobi this year, GCA continues to scale up local action in agriculture, resilient infrastructure, youth entrepreneurship, and climate finance. As the world transitions from ambition to implementation, GCA Board members like President Mahama will be central in ensuring adaptation is treated not as a cost, but as an engine of growth, equity, and resilience.

Accepting his appointment, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana stated: “ “I am deeply honoured to accept my appointment to the Board of the Global Centre on Adaptation today. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is an urgent crisis that is already undermining Africa’s development and jeopardising our collective future. As I join this esteemed institution, I will amplify the voices of African leaders and communities demanding greater investment in climate adaptation. The world must recognise that adaptation is not a choice but a necessity for our continent, which bears the brunt of climate impacts while contributing the least to its causes. To our development partners: Africa’s adaptation ambitions require your steadfast support. We call for increased financing, technology transfer, and collaborative action to build resilience across our vulnerable nations. The time for pledges has passed; the time for delivery is now. Together, we can safeguard Africa's future and ensure that climate justice becomes a cornerstone of global solidarity.” 

Commenting on the announcement, Macky Sall, Chair of the Global Center on Adaptation and Fourth President of Senegal said: “President Mahama’s return to leadership comes at a critical moment for Africa and the world. His deep experience, unwavering commitment to sustainable development, and proven ability to deliver impact on the ground will be a major asset to the GCA Board. Together, we will work to elevate adaptation as an economic and moral imperative, ensuring that Africa’s leadership lights the path toward a more resilient future for all.”

Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of GCA, added: “President Mahama exemplifies how bold political leadership and integrated national strategies can accelerate climate adaptation. His holistic approach—combining finance innovation, agricultural resilience, youth engagement, and governance reform—will elevate our Board’s ability to translate global ambition into local impact, especially in Africa.”

With President Mahama’s leadership and the backing of other sitting and former heads of state on its Board, GCA is climate–proofing development across Africa and beyond—anchored by its new presence in Nairobi and a growing global mandate for action.


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