Mahendra Shunmoogam

Mahendra Shunmoogam is a Policy Fellow at the SEI Headquarters – working within the LeadIT Team as Global Policy Lead, focusing on industry, trade and just energy transition. They are part of the Global Agendas, Climate and Systems Division.

Mahendra serves as a strategic bridge between governments, LeadIT members, and partners. He supports in advancing industry transition efforts by connecting them to international policy and the financial ecosystem and helping ensure that key challenges are addressed, collaborations are explored, and open dialogue is fostered. Mahendra also makes sure that justice and equity remain central to climate action efforts.

Prior to joining SEI, Mahendra served as the director of international trade policy in the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), his work at the dtic included negotiating on multilateral platforms such as the UNFCCC and G20, and supporting trade, industrial and climate policy development and implementation. Mahendra’s previous experience includes working at the United States’ National Academy of Sciences and for the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.

Mahendra holds a Master of Arts Degree: International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (USA), a Master of Economic Policy Degree from the Hertie School (Germany), a Leading Economic Growth Diploma from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (USA), a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Degree from the University of Pretoria (SA), and a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree from the University of Cape Town (SA).