Climate Policy Expert Dr. Ann Maricle Joins University of Chicago's Impact Lab

Dr. Ann Maricle is joining the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute as part of the Climate Impact Lab. Her appointment follows years of high-level work in climate policy across multiple U.S. administrations. The lab's focus has now broadened to pinpoint regions needing urgent climate adaptation and guide investment decisions.

Maricle brings extensive experience from her time in government. During the Obama administration, she worked as a senior policy adviser on sustainable development and climate change for then-U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power. Later, in the Biden administration, she took on two key roles: director of climate policy at the National Security Council and director of global development.

Before her government service, she spent several years at the World Wildlife Fund. There, she led climate policy initiatives, including a stint as director of climate policy action. She also held senior positions at USAID under President Biden, shaping international climate and development strategies. At the Climate Impact Lab, Maricle will contribute to its expanded mission. The team now works to identify vulnerable areas where climate adaptation is most critical. Their research also aims to determine which investments will deliver the greatest benefits in protecting communities from climate risks.

Maricle's arrival strengthens the lab's efforts to address climate vulnerabilities through targeted research. Her background in policy and international development will support the lab's goal of directing resources to high-impact adaptation projects. The work aligns with growing global demand for data-driven climate solutions.