Dr. Sarah Burns, a 2016 Rhodes Scholar, earned her PhD at the University of Oxford researching ethical and sustainable private sector development in frontier and fragile markets. Her work examined the roles of foreign direct investment and local SMEs, with field experience in Liberia and Sierra Leone. She collaborated with entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development institutions, exploring innovative finance tools such as carbon credits, investment for peacebuilding, and gender equality in investment processes. Since 2018, Sarah has advised DFIs and corporates on ESG and IMM strategy. She has worked with BII on financial inclusion portfolio evaluations, supported the World Bank on agriculture lending in Liberia, and UNCDF on energy projects in the DRC. Her recent focus is on African energy projects, where she develops ESG strategies, just transition plans, and community engagement frameworks to align projects with international standards while delivering local economic benefits. She has advised on geothermal, natural gas and renewable projects and collaborates with networks across 19 African countries to help projects enhance environmental compliance, social impact, and long-term sustainability. Sarah combines technical ESG expertise with hands-on experience to ensure energy projects deliver measurable, lasting impact.