Mai-Lan Ha

Mai-Lan Ha has a diverse work experience spanning various organizations and roles. Mai-Lan currently works at WaterAid as the Director of Private Sector Policy and Advocacy, a position they have held since 2023. Prior to this, they worked at the United Nations Global Compact from 2011 to 2023, where they held multiple roles including Deputy Head of CEO Water Mandate, Senior Advisor, and Advisor. During their time at the United Nations Global Compact, they were involved in water resource management and led the development of guidance documents for the private sector.

Before joining the United Nations Global Compact, Mai-Lan Ha worked at the Pacific Institute from 2011 to 2023. Here, they held various positions including Associate Director of Corporate Water Stewardship and Senior Researcher and Corporate Water Stewardship Co-Lead. Mai-Lan was responsible for developing guidance documents and an online platform related to water stewardship initiatives.

Prior to their work at the Pacific Institute, Mai-Lan Ha worked as a Research Coordinator at the Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEE Net) from 2010 to 2011. Here, they focused on capacity building workshops and research on energy sector development.

In 2009, they held the role of Visiting Research Fellow at the Human Development Forum Foundation, where they were involved in project development, fundraising, and research.

From 2007 to 2009, Mai-Lan Ha worked at the US-ASEAN Business Council as the Manager of Vietnam Affairs and Coordinator of the Defense and Security Working Group. Their responsibilities included coordinating meetings, managing business missions, and budget planning.

Mai-Lan also worked as a Consultant at the Institute for a New Reflection on Governance in 2006 and as an Intern in the Mekong Countries Program at the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) in the same year.

Overall, Mai-Lan Ha has significant experience in policy and advocacy, water resource management, project development, and research in various international organizations.

Mai-Lan Ha completed their Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Political Science from UCLA, where they studied from 2001 to 2004. Mai-Lan then pursued further education and obtained a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia | SIPA between 2005 and 2007, focusing on Economic and Political Development, Governance, and Civil Society. Additionally, in 2006, they also studied International Affairs and Public Policy at the National University of Singapore for a brief period.