Tara Clerkin is the Director of Climate Resilience Research & Innovation at the International Rescue Committee. She leads a multi-disciplinary team focused on developing innovative solutions to increase climate resilience for agropastoral communities in fragile and conflict affected contexts. In addition, she supports the development of a climate resilience portfolio and strategy across the organization. In her previous roles within ERD, Tara championed climate action across the organization, and provided climate resilience, agriculture, and livelihoods technical support. Before joining the IRC in October of 2016, she was the Manager of Program Impact with the Clinton Development Initiative (CDI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation operating an inclusive, farmer-first agribusiness model in Rwanda, Malawi, and Tanzania. Tara holds a a dual M.A. degree in Economics and International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University and a B.B.A. in Finance with minors in Peace Studies and Irish Studies from the University of Notre Dame. She resides in New York City.