Nicole Demestihas

Biography

Nicole Demestihas is a strategic leader with 25 years of experience in international development, humanitarian response, and climate resilience across five continents. As Director at The Rockefeller Foundation, she cultivates strategic partnerships and mobilizes resources for large-scale investments in climate solutions across clean energy, food, health, and finance. Previously, she held senior roles at Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and the Institute for Sustainable Communities, driving high-impact teams, programs, and partnerships and scaling new global initiatives. Nicole worked on the frontlines leading emergency responses in conflict zones, expanding programs, and pioneering results-based evaluation systems. She holds a Master’s in Development Studies from LSE and a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and Psychology from Smith College. As a collaborative alchemist, she thrives at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and impact, forging sustainable solutions to global challenges.