SIMON SYLVESTER-CHAUDHURI, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Simon has worked at the intersection of climate and innovation for over a decade. Initially as an economist then as a builder with endeavors that include one of the first cleantech incubators in the US; the first large scale urban tech collaboratives in NYC and Detroit; and the SCNY Urban Tech Summit at Cornell Tech. Simon's work focuses on models that leverage collaboration to scale solutions tackling climate and urban related problems. Simon teaches Global Entrepreneurship at NYU and on the Future of Cities at Imperial College Business School London.

In 2019, as the Founder of CIV:LAB Simon helped create 'The Grid', a collaborative of 130+ local organizations, including Terreform One, working together innovating in and for cities. Following the Grid's success, CIV:LAB launched Detroit Urban Solutions in 2020. Prior to CIV:LAB, Simon helped launch the Urban Future Lab at NYU and Global Futures Group where he worked as an advisor to the International Trade Administration and US Commerce under Secretary Pritzker.