David Nicholson is Mercy Corps’ Chief Climate Officer. In this role he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Mercy Corps’ commitment to climate change as a centeepiece of the new 10-year strategy.

During his 10 years at Mercy Corps to date, David has built and led the climate and environment technical support unit and played a key role in growing the climate resilience program portfolio. During his time in the TSU, David led the initiative to reform the TSU operating model and led the TSU as Acting VP from 2022-2022.

David spearheads Mercy Corps’ global sustainability initiative, which saw Mercy Corps become the first INGO to publish a comprehensive carbon footprint baseline and reduction targets, and recently led the merger with Energy for Impact, which increased Mercy Corps’ capacity in clean energy programming and technical expertise. Prior to Mercy Corps, David’s experience includes carbon-finance project development in Uganda, climate change and energy consulting for DAI, and the implementation of a World Bank funded marine protected area and green business program in Colombia.