Press release

IISD Welcomes Nicolas Delaunay as New Director, Strategic Partnerships

December 11, 2025

Winnipeg—The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is pleased to announce that Nicolas Delaunay will join the organization as Director, Strategic Partnerships, effective February 2, 2026.

In this role, Nicolas will lead IISD’s global efforts to strengthen and diversify our partnerships and funding base, supporting a new five-year strategic plan to lead, innovate, and collaborate in tackling the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. He will work closely with research and operations teams across IISD to build strategic relationships with governments, foundations, philanthropies, and corporate partners, ensuring that we deliver on our mission to transform bold ideas into real-world change that leaves no one behind.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nicolas to IISD at such a vital moment for sustainable development,” said IISD President and CEO Patricia Fuller. “Strong partnerships form the backbone of our work and are critical in making an impact—we're confident that Nicolas's leadership will enable IISD to embark on new and innovative forms of results-focused collaboration.”

Bringing over 15 years of experience in international development and sustainability, Nicolas has held senior roles with leading global organizations such as Rainforest Foundation Norway, Global Water Partnership, and Emirates Nature – WWF. He has also facilitated strategic planning and resource mobilization for Fairtrade International, the OECD-DAC Arab Coordination Group, WWF Zambia, and UN-Water. Nicolas has a deep commitment to sustainability and building strong partnerships to help solve complex issues.

“Joining an institution playing such a prominent role in sustainable development research and policy is a privilege,” he said. “It strikes me that IISD’s ability to address the root causes and systemic solutions to accelerating and interconnected environmental and social crises is more needed than ever. I look forward to working with financing partners to help deliver on this high-impact agenda.”

Based in Oslo, Norway, Nicolas will work closely with IISD’s staff of more than 300 experts located across the globe.

For further information or press inquiries, please contact [email protected]
 

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.

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