Liesel van Ast joined UNEP Finance Initiative as Signatory Relations Manager in July 2016. Liesel is responsible for member relations, including regional coordination for capacity building. She oversees UNEP FI’s training programme and supports the development of UNEP FI’s engagement with financial institutions.

She was previously Programme Manager of the Natural Capital Declaration, a joint initiative of UNEP FI and Global Canopy Programme, where she developed a work programme to help strengthen management of environmental risks and opportunities by financial institutions. She co-ordinated projects to develop innovative tools and methodologies to integrate natural resource and environmental issues into financial products and services. Prior to this Liesel worked for Trucost, the environmental research provider, and the environmental business journal The ENDS Report. She holds an Investment Management Certificate; MSc in Business Strategy, Politics and the Environment; and Certificate in Environmental Management.