FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2024 
Media Contact (India): Sudeshna Mukherjee, Head of Communications and Marketing, Population Council Consulting, SMukherjee@pcconsulting.co.in
Media contact (U.S.): Joe Shaffner, Director of Communications, The Population Council, jshaffner@popcouncil.org 

New Delhi, India Today, the Population Council announced the appointment of Dr. Deepshikha Sharma to Population Council Consulting Pvt. Ltd., based in New Delhi, India. Dr. Sharma brings more than 15 years of experience in which she researched global sustainable development practices, led policy and investment advocacy initiatives, and established an investor’s alliance for climate action. 

“Dr. Sharma brings a wealth of experience in the climate sciences, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the sector that will raise both the visibility and quality of our work in the field,” said Dr. Niranjan Saggurti, Director for the Population Council India. “We are excited to get to work looking for solutions to some of the greatest environmental challenges we face.” 

In her role, Dr. Sharma will immediately take the lead on a large-scale project on climate-induced migration. She will also play a key role in advancing the climate agenda and strengthening climate partnerships under the Council’s Population, Environment, Risk, and Climate Change (PERCC) initiative.  

Previously, Dr. Sharma held positions as a Climate & Environment Specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a Regional Intergovernmental organization based in Nepal. In 2023, while at ICIMOD, Sharma took on the position of Action Area Coordinator to strengthen global leadership in sustainable mountain development. Before her work with ICIMOD, she worked as Commercial Head (Water and Environment/Cleantech /Smart Cities) with the Trade Council Denmark / Innovation Centre Denmark, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Danish Embassy in Delhi. Dr. Sharma holds a Doctorate in Natural Resource Management from TERI University, Delhi. 

“The Population Council pursues development work in the face of climate and environmental changes under our Strategic Plan 2022-2030, said Dr. Thoai Ngo, the Council’s Vice President of Social and Behavioral Science Research, based in New York. “Dr. Sharma’s expertise is instrumental to advancing the Council’s work to drive progress and solutions at the intersections of climate, health, gender, and equity by connecting social scientists and public health experts with governments, climate scientists, civil society, and communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.” 

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Population Council Consulting Pvt. Ltd. is a global consulting organization for the social development sector that offers evidence-based solutions to bring about positive impact in the lives of vulnerable populations. We design solutions for complex socio-economic-environmental challenges, using technology and customized products for the governments, non-government organizations (national and international), and the private sector. Our multi-disciplinary global team of professionals and consultants bring a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking and innovative tools and solutions, that provide valuable insights to drive sustainable change and promote inclusive growth.