Team
Adam Woodhall
Role: CEO and Founder
Entrepreneur, sustainability expert and ‘Legal Personality of the Year’ for 2023. He is working directly with some of the most influential global GCs and has spoken on numerous high profile platforms, such as for the Economist, Reuters and a number of Law Societies national conferences. After working on delivering climate action since 2006, in 2021 he realised the legal sector, particularly in-house, was a largely untapped driver for delivering the sustainability transition.
Dr. Kris de Meyer
Role: Chief Advisor and Non Executive Director
Neuroscientist, science communicator and policy co-production expert, bringing knowledge of how brains and minds work to the communication of and policy responses to controversial topics such as climate change. Director of University College London’s Climate Action Unit, and TEDx speaker.
Paddy Linighan
Role: Finance Lead
Paddy is Chief Sustainability Officer at Clyde & Co and previously its COO. An accountant by profession, he is leading the development of our financial management including accounts, forecasting and planning. Much more than that, with a strong background in strategic management he provides a sage and pragmatic view as we grow and scale.
Roel Staes
Role: Strategy and Governance Advisor
Roel most recently held the position of Senior Vice President Legal, General Counsel, International Operations at FedEx Express. In this role, he was responsible for FedEx Express’ legal, regulatory, compliance and government affairs in Europe, Canada, Latin America, Africa and Asia. He was also Head of Sustainability for Europe. Roel advises GCS Forum on strategy and governance.
Yolanda Saito
Role: Facilitator
Yolanda is an international lawyer, civil engineer, and entrepreneur leading a network of sustainability and technology experts building “Tech for Good.” She advises UN agencies, multilateral development banks, governments, and companies in 140+ countries, and frequently speaks at MDB/UN conferences on data-driven sustainability strategies that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits. With GCS Forum, she assists our members in tackling ESG issues and promoting effective corporate sustainability efforts.
Vishakha Joshi
Role: Project Support
Vishakha has been a contributor in numerous ways, doing data gathering, research and vital operational projects. She is currently a consultant at the World Bank and have previously interned at the UN’s Economic Commission for Europe (Sustainable Energy Division) and was a Research Assistant at a Consultancy firm on ESG and climate change risk management, based in London. She is a Global Shaper (young community borne out of World Economic Forum) and has also researched and co-authored two books related to climate change and energy.
David McMahon
Role: Facilitator
With a career spanning sustainability, finance, and technology, David has driven initiatives that support meaningful change and empowered others to excel. From managing the global development of sustainable agriculture tools with the Cool Farm Alliance to leading data-driven compliance and transformation projects in major financial institutions his focus has been on enabling impact at scale. With GCS Forum he supports our members as they as they handle ESG challenges and help drive meaningful corporate sustainability action.
