Melanie Nakagawa

Sr Product Director at Meta, Former Google Gemini Product Lead, AI & Product Innovation Executive

Melanie Nakagawa Biography:

Melanie Nakagawa is the Corporate Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, and one of the most influential voices in global climate leadership today. A strategic keynote speaker, she combines experience at the highest levels of government with executive responsibility inside one of the world’s largest technology companies. Ranked #2 in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Women 2025, Melanie is widely recognised for driving measurable corporate climate action while shaping international policy conversations.

Melanie’s career began in Washington, D.C., where she built her expertise in energy, climate and international affairs. After earning a BA in International Relations from Brown University and completing both a JD and MA in International Affairs at American University, she moved into public service. She served as Senior Energy and Environment Counsel at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, advising on climate legislation, energy security and environmental oversight. She later joined the U.S. Department of State as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, before being appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Transformation, where she supported countries transitioning to low carbon energy systems and strengthened global clean energy cooperation.

Her career then expanded into climate finance and executive leadership. As Director of Climate Strategy at Princeville Capital, Melanie focused on investing in high growth technology companies delivering climate solutions. She returned to government as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate and Energy at the National Security Council, helping guide the United States’ return to the Paris Agreement and embedding climate considerations into foreign policy and national security. In 2023, she joined Microsoft as Chief Sustainability Officer, leading its global sustainability strategy and overseeing the company’s $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund. Under Melanie’s leadership, Microsoft has advanced ambitious commitments to become carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.

Why Hire Melanie Nakagawa?

Melanie speaks with clarity on corporate responsibility, AI and climate innovation, clean energy markets and the geopolitics of renewable power. For organisations navigating regulatory change, investor scrutiny and operational risk, her insights offer practical direction grounded in real decision making. Melanie brings authority, credibility and a global outlook that resonates with boards, policymakers and industry leaders alike.

Melanie Nakagawa’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Melanie Nakagawa’s remarkable career in sustainability:

• 2025 – Ranked #2 in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Women 2025
• 2024 – Named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business
• 2023 – Appointed Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft
• 2021 – Appointed Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate and Energy, National Security Council
• 2015 – Appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Transformation, U.S. Department of State
• 2011 – Became Senior Energy and Environment Counsel, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee