At GHV, we believe lasting change comes from bold thinking, collaborative leadership, and deep listening. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Temina Lalani-Shariff, our new managing director of climate, health, and development – and to share a bit about what drives her.
Temina brings nearly 15 years of experience leading global efforts across climate, agriculture, nutrition, and gender equity. She’s worked with institutions like CGIAR, universities, and multilateral partnerships to advance innovation and policy change at scale. Now at GHV, she’s helping partners tackle the climate crisis through cross-sectoral strategy, coalition-building, and a deep commitment to equity and systems thinking.
Temina’s journey into climate began on the ground with farmers. During her time at CGIAR, she saw firsthand how changing rainfall, flooding, and drought were already reshaping people’s lives: “I visited communities where farmers talked about how different the seasons were – how unpredictable the rains had become. At the same time, I was meeting researchers developing drought-resistant seed varieties and early warning tools. What struck me was that the innovations were there, but people couldn’t always access them. That disconnect between solutions and scale really stayed with me.”
That early insight now shapes how she approaches her work at GHV: “In systems work, everything is connected, but if you try to solve everything at once, you risk solving nothing. I try to start with one issue that’s within scope, then account for the connections without getting overwhelmed by them.” She adds, “Sometimes systems change feels slow, and then something shifts. A moment of momentum hits, and the work leaps forward.”
Looking ahead to COP30 and the next phase of global climate negotiations, Temina sees both urgency and opportunity: “As we move past the 1.5°C threshold, climate will increasingly touch parts of life that have been overlooked, especially in health. For instance, we talk about extreme heat. But what does that mean for a pregnant woman working in a field all day? How does it affect her baby, her income, her long-term wellbeing? These are the kinds of real-world intersections we need to understand and act on.”
In just a few months at GHV, Temina has already seen what’s possible when aligned teams work together. One recent project involved helping a partner design and deliver a series of global convenings: “The logistics were complex and the stakes were high. But the team, GHV and partner-side, showed up with creativity, flexibility, and no ego. It was the kind of partnership that makes you proud to do this work.”
So, what brought Temina to GHV? “I was really drawn to the kind of organization GHV is trying to build – purpose–driven, globally responsive, and very intentional about culture. That’s rare. The leadership is truly investing in how the organization shows up in the world, and that matters a lot to me.”
Now based in Abu Dhabi, Temina is enjoying the exploration that comes with a big move: “We just arrived, so I’m getting to know the city – lots of beach time, lots of walking, and keeping an eye out for a tennis club. People have been incredibly welcoming, and the arts and culture scene here is vibrant. I’m excited to keep discovering.”
Please join us in welcoming Temina. We’re so grateful to have her on the team and can’t wait to see what we build together.
