Dr. Urvaksh D. Patel is Managing Director and Senior Partner at AvaTerra Global, overseeing the firm’s worldwide strategy, alliances, and operations while building and maintaining its culture. He is based in Asia but shares his time with engagements globally.

Prior to co-founding AvaTerra Global, Urvaksh spent twenty years in international roles with the Green Climate Fund, World Bank, United Nations agencies, and the private sector.

He has advanced efforts in more than 70 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America to enable access to finance for trade and investments. His expertise allowed him to lead teams to support countries in developing national-level strategies and project plans to mobilize resources into transformational funding opportunities. He has collaborated closely with governments and partners on policy and institutional development, investment readiness, and transactions in the energy, transport, water, agriculture, and urban infrastructure sectors.

Urvaksh has co-authored and been on the editorial team of several publications on climate and development finance and is invited globally to speak on these topics.

Beyond his work engagements, Urvaksh is passionate about equipping the next generation of global leaders with knowledge to bring about positive social and environmental transformations. He also volunteers his time to promote education in ancient traditions that have emphasized the human values of Truth, compassion, and well-being of all living things.

Urvaksh holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from The George Washington University, executive education from the University of Oxford Saϊd Business School, and a Doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University.