Rich Swanson was a collaborator with the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. As the Assistant Director of Africa’s Energy Futures, a research program that investigated solutions to some of Africa’s current energy needs in the face of climate change; these included cross-border trade, backstopping renewable technologies, and financing solutions for assets under deep uncertainty. Dr. Swanson is a strategy consultant and project developer, with Ph.D. in Civil Systems Engineering, and M.A. in International Affairs. Rich has extensive experience working on energy and water projects in U.S., Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central America. His particular expertise lies in project-finance modeling, and risk assessment for: asset valuation, investment planning, capital budget decisions, and structured finance. Unique specialties include valuation of project flexibility, climate finance, and public-private partnerships.