Aisha Rodriguez
Manager – Markets and StandardsAisha Rodriguez is Manager – Markets and Standards at VCMI where she is developing the Claims Code of Practice and associated assurance framework, enabling companies to use voluntary carbon markets with high integrity. Reporting to the Technical Director, Aisha leads research to ensure VCMI’s work is aligned with scientific and corporate best practice.
Prior to joining VCMI, Aisha worked in sustainability in the food and beverage sector, focusing on delivering climate strategies and achieving carbon reduction targets across different markets. Aisha has also worked in environmental consulting for both the private and public sector, across environmental and social sustainability. Earlier in her career, she helped to manage the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, a UN-endorsed global standard for carbon management at airports.
Aisha has a degree in Environmental Economics from the University of York and an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College. Originally from Malaysian Borneo, Aisha has lived and worked in the UK for 13 years.
George Hodgetts
Senior Policy AssociateGeorge’s role in the Policy and Partnerships Team at VCMI focuses on government engagement, bringing policy officials together from around the world via forums such as the Country Contact Group to provide insight on VCMI’s work areas and promote learning relevant to VCMI’s objectives and outputs. George will also help deliver the second phase of VCMI’s Access Strategies program, continuing to build capacity so that countries can engage with carbon market opportunities that align with their national climate policy and finance priorities.
George joins the team after five years working for the UK Civil Service, most recently in the Global Carbon Markets Team in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. George managed some of the UK’s foreign aid investment in programs delivered by the World Bank that are piloting the use of carbon market mechanisms to mobilize additional climate finance and deliver sustainable development benefits in developing countries. In the run up to COP26 George also led an initiative developing recommendations that were promoted at Glasgow regarding capacity building for inclusive and ambitious global carbon market participation in support of the Paris Agreement.
George has a BSc in Geography from the University of Bristol, which included a year of study in Granada, Spain.
Karen Woodley
Executive Support ManagerKaren is an Executive Support Manager with a proven track record of ensuring the smooth operation of governance and processes, enabling teams to focus on delivering impactful results. With a background as a strategic Executive Assistant, Karen has dedicated her career to supporting senior executives, bringing efficiency and structure to high-level operations.
With many years of experience supporting C-Suite members across diverse sectors, including media, travel, and nonprofits, Karen has honed her expertise in complex, fast-paced environments. Before joining VCMI, she worked internationally, with roles at Informa Markets, Omnicom Media Group, and OSN in Dubai, Sky Network Television in New Zealand, and Virgin Atlantic in the UK.
Karen is accredited with a mini-MBA for Senior Executive Assistants by the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM), further showcasing her commitment to professional development and excellence in executive support.
Lydia Sheldrake
Director of Policy and PartnershipsLydia is the Director of Policy and Partnerships at VCMI. She leads the team working on engagement and collaboration with companies, governments, civil society and other initiatives involved in carbon markets to develop high integrity standards for voluntary carbon markets. She also oversees VCMI’s Access Strategies Program which supports policymakers to unlock and channel carbon finance into priority sectors.
Lydia has worked on climate finance and carbon markets across private, public, non-profit, and philanthropic organisations. Prior to joining VCMI, she advised on programmes and tools designed to raise the bar on corporate climate action at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). In the UK Government, Lydia was Head of Voluntary Carbon Markets, managed c.£250 million climate finance investments, and represented the UK in international negotiations on climate and trade. Ahead of COP26, Lydia led UK Presidency’s efforts to establish VCMI as an independent multi-stakeholder initiative.
In private and non-profit sectors, Lydia has advised multinational corporations on environmental reporting and sustainable supply chains. She has degrees from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford.
Mark Kenber
Executive DirectorMark Kenber is Executive Director of VCMI and has worked for nearly three decades on market-based instruments for environmental protection, with a particular focus on carbon markets.
His previous roles include positions at Fundación Natura in Ecuador, WWF’s International Climate Change Program, The Climate Group, Mongoose Energy Ltd, and Climate Advisers. He has also served as Climate Change Advisor to the Ecuadorian Government. Mark is a board member of ICVCM, C:C Brighton and Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative.
Nick Boak
Director of OperationsAs VCMI’s Director of Operations, Nick leads all aspects of VCMI’s operational strategy including procurement, funding, resourcing, management systems and IT infrastructure.
Nick’s career to date spans General Manager and COO roles across the finance industry, technology services and the charitable sector. Most recently at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Nick delivered a complete transformation of the talent acquisition strategy and associated processes. He brings significant experience in change, people and program management, having led large senior-level teams while managing budgets and achieving cost savings worth tens of millions in several organizations.
Nick is innately solutions-focused, challenges the status quo and seeks constant business improvement through innovation. He is committed to establishing supportive, high-performance cultures built upon strong employee engagement, clarity of purpose and honest and open communication.
Nina Foster
Strategic Communications ManagerNina manages strategic communications for VCMI, helping to build the profile of VCMI and its work to establish high integrity standards across the voluntary carbon market in support of global climate goals.
Prior to joining VCMI in February 2025, Nina was Senior Communications and Research Manager in the Carbon Trust’s Net Zero Intelligence Unit. In this role she led work to build the Carbon Trust’s reputation as a thought leader on the global net zero agenda, through the publication of research, analysis and commentary. Before the Carbon Trust, Nina advised MPs on scrutiny of UK environmental policy and communications at the House of Commons, including as Deputy Head of the Secretariat for the Environmental Audit Committee, and as Media, Communications and Engagement Lead for Climate Assembly UK – a citizens’ assembly on the UK’s net zero target.
Nina holds an MA in International Relations: Culture and Politics from Leiden University and a BA in History of Art from Worcester College, University of Oxford. Nina is originally from Northern Ireland, but now lives and works in London.
Raffaella Infanti
Engagement ManagerRaffaella’s role in the Policy and Partnerships Team at VCMI focuses on the engagement of non-state actors across business and civil society, Indigenous Peoples and Local Community groups. Raffaella leads VCMI’s outreach strategy, coordinating and convening groups for effective stakeholder engagement.
With the upcoming launch of the VCMI Claims Code of Practice, Raffaella will bring together companies from around the world committed to pilot and implement the Code, helping to ensure credible use and associated claims of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets.
Raffaella joins the team after three years at Gold Standard, where she advocated for Gold Standard’s carbon market and sustainable development solutions among companies, to maximize the impact of their climate efforts while minimizing risks. She developed strategic partnerships and managed private sector relationships with organisations seeking to foster high ambition in response to the climate challenge.
Raffaella brings extensive experience in business growth strategies, with a focus on sustainability practices, market entry and new product development in the private sector. Originally from Italy, she is based in Geneva, Switzerland, where she has worked and lived for the past ten years.