RMI, founded as Rocky Mountain Institute, has appointed Ije Ikoku Okeke as a managing director, Catalytic Climate Capital. In this role she will lead RMI’s efforts to mobilize, scale up, and catalyze climate finance globally at this critical time in the world.

Okeke will lead RMI’s early-stage project development and innovative financing initiatives. She will also co-lead the Global South Program and partner closely with RMI’s Climate-Aligned Industries, Third Derivative, and Climate Finance programs.

“RMI is increasingly focused on scaling our project implementation portfolio on the ground through an investment fund-based approach to catalyzing finance at scale for project development. Ije brings a wealth of technical, financial, and leadership experience  to lead this effort and accelerate our work across our core geographies,” said Vikram Singh, senior principal of RMI’s Global South program.

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Okeke brings over two decades of experience in infrastructure investments and project development in the energy sector where she has successfully originated and structured project finance, private equity, and structured finance deals in excess of US$3 billion at firms such as the International Finance Corporation, World Bank, and CEC Africa Investment. She’s spent her career driving sustainable and inclusive growth in the United States, sub–Saharan Africa, and Latin Americas. Okeke has also served on the boards of several companies and as an advisor to the Rockefeller Foundation and MIT Energy Initiative as a member of the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty. Okeke holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to lead the Catalytic Climate Capital team at a critical time for the institution,” said Ije Ikoku Okeke. “I am looking forward to driving the institution’s efforts in Asia, the Americas, and Africa to support early-stage projects and companies that mobilize capital from the private sector. These investments will accelerate decarbonization, expand clean energy access, and improve resilience. With RMI’s  experience in derisking projects and its depth in data-driven innovation, I’m confident that we can scale our efforts for transformational impact.”

“We are delighted to welcome Ije to RMI in this new role leading our Catalytic Climate Capital team,” said Jon Creyts, CEO at RMI. “Her leadership skills and extensive experience investing in Africa, Latin America, and the US will be critical to help accelerate capital deployment globally at this pivotal moment when we must ensure that all countries and communities participate in and benefit from the transition to clean energy.”