Jessica J. Troell

Jessica Troell is a Senior Attorney and has led ELI’s International Water Program since its founding in 2006. Under her leadership, the Program has developed and implemented projects to create realistic mechanisms for involving diverse stakeholders in water-related decision-making; identify and implement innovative water governance mechanisms to strengthen resilience of communities and countries in the face of climate change; build the legal and institutional capacity to manage transboundary water challenges; strengthen livelihoods and food security through more effective water management; and ensure that water management is effectively leveraged in fragile and post-conflict states to promote peacebuilding. Ms. Troell works with NGOs, governments, the private sector, and universities to create, implement, and enforce sustainable water laws, policies, and management mechanisms.

Ms. Troell is based in Malawi, and in also leads the Institute’s efforts on various projects in Southern Africa, including projects on land tenure, forest management and climate change adaptation. In addition to her role at ELI, Ms. Troell is Adjunct Faculty at the American University School of International Service, where she has taught International Environmental Politics. Prior to joining ELI, Ms. Troell was a law fellow with the Mandela Institute of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, conducting applied research on the implementation of catchment management in the Limpopo River Basin, and a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. She has also worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Defense Council.