Kirsten Dunlop

Dr Kirsten Dunlop is the Chief Executive Officer of EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s foremost climate innovation agency and community. She leads the organisation with deep conviction in society’s capacity to learn and evolve toward climate resilience. Kirsten brings over 30 years’ experience catalysing systemic transformations—her career spans academia, consulting, banking, and the insurance industry, working across three continents.

At Climate-KIC, she heads initiatives like NetZeroCities, which supports the European Union’s Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities. Kirsten is also recognised for her expertise in systems innovation, financial systems change, and societal transformation. Previously, she held leadership roles at Suncorp (Australia) and led the Generali Group Innovation Academy in Italy, focusing on strategic innovation and risk management.

She serves on multiple advisory boards, including those for research, sustainability, and innovation at both the EU and international level; she is also recognised as a leader in the European Commission Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation (ESIR) expert group. Kirsten is frequently sought out as a speaker and thought leader on the future of climate innovation and systemic change.