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The Center on Global Energy Policy Welcomes Dr. Robert Johnston as Executive Director

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University welcomes Dr. Robert “RJ”Johnston as its new Executive Director. Dr. Johnston was most recently the founder and Managing Director of the Eurasia Group’s Energy, Climate, and Resources practice, and served as the firm’s CEO from 2013 to 2018.

Reporting directly to Jason Bordoff, founding director at CGEP and co-founding dean of the Columbia Climate School, Dr. Johnston will be responsible for driving the Center’s global mission of advancing smart, actionable and evidence-based energy and climate solutions through research, education and dialogue. 

“With over two decades of experience working in the energy and climate space, there’s no one I trust more to take on this critical role,” said Bordoff. “His extensive experience, most recently as the CEO of the Eurasia Group, has prepared him to take on the executive directorship and be my partner in leading CGEP in this new and exciting chapter of its growth.”

In his new role as Executive Director, Dr. Johnston will lead day to day management and operations at CGEP,  manage engagement with external and university stakeholders and partners, and promote the Center’s mission as it continues to expand its global cohort of experts. 

Dr. Johnston has over 25 years of experience working closely with corporate and institutional investor clients in the oil and gas, mining, electric power, and cleantech sectors. For the past year, Dr. Johnston worked at the Center as a senior research scholar and led research on critical mineral supply chains and oil and gas markets. 

“In my time at CGEP so far, I’ve had the honor of working alongside a great team and some of the most brilliant minds in the energy and climate space,” said Dr. Johnston. “I look forward to contributing to CGEP’s vision and helping the organization grow during this pivotal moment in the energy transition.”

Prior to joining Eurasia Group, Dr. Johnston served as managing director of equity research at Medley Global Advisors, where he was responsible for providing political and strategic insights to clients in the institutional investment community and served as the lead analyst for global energy equities. 

Read Robert Johnston’s full bio here. 
 

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Announcement • March 22, 2024
Recapping a (Respectful) Dialogue About IEA Analysis
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