Victoria Salinas

Victoria Salinas, a globally recognized leader in climate resilience, risk reduction and disaster recovery, began a yearlong term as Duke University’s fourth Climate Leader in Residence (CLIR) in June 2025. She is based at the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. Salinas most recently served as Deputy Administrator for Resilience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Biden administration. With more than two decades of experience spanning government, nonprofits and the private sector, she has worked at the local, national and international levels to reduce risk and protect communities. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for ICLEI-USA: Local Governments for Sustainability and advises consulting firms and investors on climate and resilience strategy. Salinas’ residency at Duke focuses on unlocking new pathways for financing community climate adaptation and accelerating the deployment of breakthrough resilience technologies.

Read Salinas's appointment announcement →

About Duke’s Climate Leaders in Residence Program

Launched in 2024, the CLIR program leverages leaders’ experience, expertise and networks as they collaborate with Duke faculty and staff on pragmatic climate research and initiatives that could lead to significant change in the near future. They also enrich Duke students’ learning through mentorship, teaching and other activities.

The CLIR program advances the aims of the Duke Climate Commitment, which unites the university’s education, research, operations and public service missions to address climate challenges. The program is funded this year by the Presidential Climate Action and Innovation Fund, an endowment established by the Nicholas Family in support of the Duke Climate Commitment. The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability oversees the CLIR program.