Melissa Barandiaran

Melissa Barandiaran is a Peruvian national and a Senior Environmental Specialist for the Environmental and Social Risk Unit (ESG) at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She leads the disaster risk management initiatives within ESG and is part of the interdisciplinary Community of Practice in Resilience, focusing on disaster risk and climate change. With extensive experience working on complex projects across Latin America, including countries such as Haiti, Mexico, and Argentina, Melissa has contributed to sectors like transportation, urban development, and water sanitation. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Environment and Energy from Columbia University.On Coursera, Melissa teaches the course "Decision Making and Governance of Natural Disaster Risk," aimed at equipping learners with the knowledge to effectively manage disaster risks. Her work at the IDB involves developing methodologies to assess disaster and climate risks in projects, ensuring resilience against environmental challenges. Through her expertise, she plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainable infrastructure and promoting proactive approaches to disaster management in the region.