Mauricio Rodas is a global authority on urban climate finance, city diplomacy, and sustainable urban development. As Mayor of Quito, Ecuador (2014–2019), he led the construction of the country's first metro system, a USD 2 billion, 23-kilometer underground line completed in a record three years, on time and within budget, at the lowest per-kilometer cost of any metro in Latin America. The project was showcased by four multilateral development banks as a flagship initiative and recognized by UNESCO as an international model for heritage preservation. Before his tenure as mayor, Rodas founded SUMA, a national political party, and ran for President of Ecuador in 2013, before being elected the youngest Mayor in Quito's history the following year.
As Mayor, Rodas implemented a wide range of initiatives advancing urban sustainability, social equity, and inclusive economic development, and hosted the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III). He held senior leadership roles across major global city networks, including World Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments, Vice-Chair of C40 Cities, and board member of the Global Covenant of Mayors and ICLEI.
He is currently a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches on climate-resilient infrastructure finance for cities, and a Senior Fellow at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. He is the founder and Executive Secretary of the SDSN Global Commission for Urban SDG Finance, co-chaired by the Mayors of Paris and Rio de Janeiro alongside Professor Jeffrey Sachs, bringing together more than 90 mayors and global institutions to advance innovative solutions to close the urban SDG financing gap.
He is also a Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council, a member of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration, and the Executive Committee of the Global Parliament of Mayors.
As founder of Meridio Consulting, he has advised cities worldwide, including Athens, Barranquilla, Dhaka, Freetown, Miami, Melbourne, Monterrey, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, and Seville. Named by Apolitical among the world’s 100 most influential people in climate action, he has received the University of Pennsylvania’s World Urban Leadership Award and ICLEI’s Climate Action and Sustainability Leadership Award. Mauricio is a former Young Global Leader and a member of the Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization of the World Economic Forum. He has served as a jury member for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation, C40–Bloomberg Philanthropies Award, and WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities, and others.
A highly sought-after keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator, Mauricio is a frequent contributor to major global convenings, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the NYC Climate Week, London Climate Action Week, COP, the G20, UNGA, and the World Urban Forum, among others.
Rodas holds a JD from Universidad Católica de Quito and two master's degrees in Government Administration and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied on a Fulbright Scholarship.
Why Book Mauricio Rodas?
- A global authority on urban climate finance and city leadership
Leads one of the world’s most influential platforms advancing sustainable urban development and innovative financing solutions. - Proven execution at scale: delivering transformational infrastructure
Built Ecuador’s first metro—a $2B project—on time, on budget, and at record efficiency, setting a global benchmark. - Unique perspective: from political leadership to global advisory
Former mayor and presidential candidate who now advises cities worldwide and shapes global urban policy agendas. - At the center of global decision-making networks
Works alongside mayors, multilateral institutions, and global leaders across five continents to tackle urban challenges. - Thought leader bridging climate, finance, and cities
Helps leaders understand how to fund, design, and scale sustainable infrastructure in rapidly growing urban environments. - Credibility at the highest global level
Recognized among the world’s most influential climate leaders; advisor to major global institutions and juror of top international awards.
