Founder & Principal · 751.Earth Family Group
Green transition, climate finance and multilateral programme development.
R. ROCKEFELLER S.C.Dr. Karen Sumser-LupsonHomeR. ROCKEFELLER S.C. · GREEN DEPARTMENT
Dr. Karen
Sumser-Lupson.
Director for Multilateral Institutional Relations, Sustainability, Green Transition and Innovation
Strategic Partner · Global Development & Finance
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
International governance and sustainable development.
Dr. Karen Sumser-Lupson brings more than 30 years of professional experience in marine and maritime governance, safety and security, Blue Economy, climate adaptation and programme evaluation. Her work has covered East, West and Central Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, Türkiye and European programmes coordinated through Brussels.
As Founder and Principal of 751.Earth Family Group, she works across public programme design, international cooperation and sustainable development. Within RRSC she represents designated institutional matters under the 751 Africa strategic cooperation for Africa, connecting public stakeholders and programme-development pathways with the Group’s technology and engineering teams.
Her CV records leadership and senior-expert work on EU maritime programmes, the IGAD Integrated Maritime Strategy 2030 and the Blue Economy Roadmap for thirteen Overseas Countries and Territories.
Education and professional expertise
PhD · University of Plymouth
Geographical Sciences, with research in maritime security and environmental protection.
Postgraduate study · University of Plymouth
Social Science, monitoring and evaluation, data management and statistical methods.
Graduate Diploma in Law
University of Plymouth; public, international and European law among the areas studied.
Working languages
English, French and Spanish.
Goodwill Ambassador · African Union Agenda 2063
Pan-African sustainable development and institutional cooperation.
President · WAF-UNA
World Association of Former United Nations Associates; international civil-society cooperation.
Chairman-Commissioner · AMSSA
African Maritime Safety and Security Agency; maritime governance across African regions.
International Expert · European Commission & EEAS
Maritime safety, security and programme evaluation across Africa, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
International Ambassador · Africa Blue Economy Roundtable
Blue Economy, ocean governance and climate finance; appointment announced in August 2026.
Ambassador · International Peace Foundation
International dialogue, peace and institutional exchange.
Contributor · NATO peace and security publications
Contributions to official 2011 Advanced Security Institute publications on maritime security.
25 JUNE 2026 · DOUALA, CAMEROON
Africa Blue Heroine Award.
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable recognised Karen’s contribution to Blue Economy development and to women, young people and coastal communities across Africa.
Her subsequent International Ambassador appointment was announced in August 2026.