Fernando Paéz Mendieta

Fernando Páez Mendieta is the Executive Director of WRI Colombia, where he leads the strategy to support national and subnational governments in accelerating climate action, promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, and advancing the development of resilient, low-carbon cities. Under his leadership, WRI Colombia has established itself as a key actor in building strategic alliances with the private sector, academia, and civil society organizations, driving high-impact solutions to address the country’s major environmental and urban challenges.

With over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Fernando’s professional trajectory combines strategic leadership, technical excellence, and a deep commitment to sustainable development in Latin America. He joined WRI in 2012, strengthening the organization’s presence and leadership across the region. He has led the design of public policy instruments, the development of landmark projects in sustainable mobility and urban planning, and institutional capacity-building processes in Mexico, Colombia, and other Latin American countries.

Before becoming Executive Director of WRI Colombia, he served as Director of Urban Mobility and Director of Operations at WRI Mexico, where he led strategic initiatives such as technical support to the Federal Mass Transit Support Program, the creation of the Mexican Association of Mobility Authorities (AMAM), and participated in the formulation of Mexico’s General Mobility Law and the National Policy for Urban Public Transport. He also advised cities on the implementation of sustainable transport systems.

In Colombia’s public sector, Fernando held senior leadership positions, including Deputy Director of Public Investment and Acting Director of the District Planning Department of Bogotá (2001–2006), and Deputy General Manager and General Manager of TransMilenio S.A. (2006–2011), where he led the expansion, modernization, and consolidation of one of the world’s most recognized mass transit systems.

Fernando holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain), a specialization in Quality and Productivity Management from Universidad del Valle (Colombia), and a degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from the Escuela Superior de Administración Pública (ESAP). He also completed studies in Municipal Government Administration at the Ibero-American Union of Municipalists in Spain.