Karena Lyons

Karena Lyons has a diverse range of work experience in the field of international relations and climate change. Karena is currently a Board Member at Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA), where they collaborate with various organizations to assess climate change impacts and inform decision-making. Prior to this, they served as Vice President and Director of Research at the East West Center. Karena also held the position of Director at Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), where they worked with regional organizations and governments to promote development in the Pacific. Karena has extensive diplomatic experience, including serving as an Ambassador to Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Karena has also worked as a strategist for the New Zealand Campaign for UN Security Council and served as a diplomat for the United Nations Security Council. Karena began their career as a Foreign Policy Advisor and Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the New Zealand Parliament. Overall, Karena Lyons brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in climate change, international relations, and development to their roles.

Karena Lyons attended The University of Auckland from 1997 to 2001. In 2008, they briefly studied at Freie Universität Berlin. Additionally, in 2001, they had a short-term attendance at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. No specific degree or field of study was mentioned for any of their educational experiences.