Laurence Breton

Laurence Breton-Moyet joined the European Climate Foundation in October 2021 as Chief of Staff and was appointed Managing Director in July 2022. In her role as Managing Director, Laurence provides strategic guidance for all ECF processes, ensures operational efficiency, and oversees financial management in coordination with the CEO and the Executive Management team. She works closely with ECF’s fundraising team and manages relationships with funders, the Supervisory Board, and external stakeholders as needed.

She has over 26 years of experience in international development, with particular expertise in sustainable development and climate at strategic, managerial, and operational levels, including work in over 40 countries across five continents.

Laurence began her development career at the World Bank in 1994, focusing on public-private partnerships. She then led international investment projects at the French energy utility EDF. After a brief time in media, she joined the French Development Agency (AFD) in 2004, where she held various positions both at headquarters and in the field. In June 2015, Laurence joined the AFD executive committee as the Executive Director in charge of AFD’s operations, overseeing activities in 81 countries, managing 1,400 staff, and handling a yearly commitment of €10 billion. In July 2018, she was appointed executive director in charge of strategy, partnership, and communication, and served as a board member of the European Investment Bank until she joined the ECF in 2021.

Laurence has extensive competencies in many aspects of climate change and sustainable development programming, including advocacy, innovative solution design, strategic planning, investment and market risk analysis, public-private partnerships, economic analysis, market regulation, and organisation. She has a strong track record in negotiating deals and partnerships with a wide range of institutions. She also has experience in development programming in vulnerable states, focusing on crisis prevention, risk reduction, and resilience building. In addition, she has a strong background in managing large and complex multicultural structures and has led major organisational transformations focused on innovation, learning, and collaboration.

Laurence holds a degree in engineering from l’École des Ponts ParisTech and a master’s degree in communication and new technologies from ESCP Europe Business School. A mother of two, she lives in Paris and is a great fan of art and stand-up comedy.