Calais Caswell

Calais Caswell is a policy advisor on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) with IISD’s Resilience Program, supporting the Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative and the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) Initiative. She leads research on nature-based solutions and climate adaptation with a focus on GESI. Calais also works with local partners, civil society, and government partners on a variety of gender- and nature-related initiatives in the Global South, including training and capacity strengthening activities, and informing the design and implementation of gender-responsive nature-based solutions.

Calais has over 10 years of experience in conducting research, writing policy analyses, and programming within the environment and GESI nexus. Prior to joining IISD, she was a senior technical specialist, GESI and Environment and Climate Change, with Mennonite Economic Development Associates and a sector specialist, gender and environment, with the Co-operative Development Foundation. In both roles, Calais contributed to thought leadership, strategy development, and implementation of gender and environment-related initiatives across Asia, East and West Africa, and the Americas.

Calais holds a master’s degree in globalization and international development and a bachelor’s degree in gender studies.