David is a leading international expert who specializes in harnessing the power of markets to solve critical environmental issues and support sustainable development. David has developed projects and managed organizations operating under major international agreements, including the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer, and both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement to address climate change. David’s experience has enabled him to work with the private sector, governments, multi-lateral institutions, NGOs and philanthropies.
Between 2008 and 2023 David served as Chief Executive Officer of Verra, which under his tenure grew from a staff of two to more than 140 and became both the leading certification body in the voluntary carbon market and the standard-setter of choice for environmental markets and those dedicated to promoting sustainable development. During his time at Verra David oversaw the ongoing development of Verra’s flagship program (the Verified Carbon Standard, or VCS) and the corresponding growth of the organization’s structure to ensure integrity across its various offerings. David also spearheaded efforts to broaden the scope of the organization’s certification programs beyond carbon, and today includes programs designed to foster sustainable development and tackle plastic pollution.
Prior to working at Verra, David worked for EcoSecurities in Oxford (UK) where he led a joint venture to develop landfill gas-to-energy projects worldwide. At EcoSecurities David also worked on key infrastructure and procedural needs for the then nascent voluntary carbon market.
David began his international work at ICF Consulting where he developed projects to recover/recycle ozone-depleting refrigerants in countries around the world, supported several Latin American countries developing their GHG inventories, and served on the team that verified the emission reductions achieved by one of the earliest GHG emission reduction projects. David then joined the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mexico as its global climate change advisor where he oversaw efforts to develop baselines for both energy and forest projects.
Born and raised in Mexico City for 15 years, David lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and two children. He has an Undergraduate degree in Sociology and American Studies from Princeton University, a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in Public Policy, and a Certificate in Business from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.