Mercedes Pepper is the Operations Coordinator at the Energy for Growth Hub. Her interest in energy as a tool for development began in undergrad while evaluating World Bank solar projects in Fiji and now intersects with job creation and labor mobility. She has worked with UNDP’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, managed the Center for Global Development’s (CGD) energy access and labor funding portfolios, contributed to World Bank labor mobility research, and supported informal sector employment through a tech startup in India. She previously served as Director of Investor Relations at the END Fund and Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships at CGD. Mercedes holds an MPA from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service and a BA in Anthropology from Smith College.
Beyond her work with the Hub, Mercedes founded Nation Botanics, a skincare brand for people who spend a lot of time outside and want healthy skin — without the fuss. But it’s also about making a difference beyond your face — improving local farmer livelihoods, promoting true sustainability, and setting a new standard for transparency. When she’s not working, she’s skiing, surfing, or exploring with her dog and partner.