RELEASE: World Resources Institute Welcomes Saurabh Gupta as General Counsel

WASHINGTON (April 17, 2024) - World Resources Institute (WRI) is pleased to announce that Saurabh Gupta has joined as WRI's new General Counsel. In this role, Gupta will lead the organization's legal function, manage institutional risks, and provide legal expertise and guidance to support WRI's country offices and programs.

Gupta will work closely with the Board of Directors, serving as Secretary to the Board, in addition to the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit and Risk Management Committee. As a member of WRI's Global Executive Team, he will also provide legal counsel to the organization's senior leaders.

"Saurabh's decades of legal experience will add enormous value to WRI's global operations, while advancing WRI's ambitious strategy," said Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO. "He has an impressive track record working with large international nonprofits and I look forward to working alongside him for a better future for people, nature and climate."

Gupta has nearly 20 years of experience as a distinguished legal professional and most recently served as the Chief Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer at Arabella Advisors, a consultancy that supports nonprofit organizations and clients across the philanthropic sector. He is a passionate problem-solver and has a broad depth of expertise, including on corporate governance, risk assessment, compliance and regulations.

"WRI is addressing some of the world's biggest challenges, fighting climate change and protecting nature in a way that benefits people," said Saurabh Gupta. "I want to ensure my children and grandchildren can enjoy clean air and appreciate the world's forests as much as I do. I look forward to working with WRI's global teams to advance pragmatic solutions that meet both legal requirements and organizational needs."

Prior to his time at Arabella Advisors, Gupta worked in the public education sector for Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Maryland State Education Association and for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) - as well as public-sector labor organizations. Gupta graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University.

"Saurabh's depth of legal expertise will be crucial to strengthening WRI's global network," said Adriana Lobo, Managing Director, Global Presence and National Action. "It is vital that our teams around the world are well equipped to operate within their local contexts as effectively as possible to deliver maximum impact. With a trusted legal advisor like Saurabh on our team, WRI's global operations will be more cohesive and responsive to the world's most pressing challenges."

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.

• Alison Cinnamond

  Global Director for Strategic Communications