At the World Resources Forum, Shahrzad leads work spanning mineral resource governance, responsible sourcing and circular economy, playing a key role as Program Director in establishing and strengthening partnerships with governments, industry, and civil society.

She works on multistakeholder projects focused on sustainable mining, supply chain due diligence, critical minerals, and circular economy developments, with a strong regional emphasis on Africa. Her work there centers on sustainable resource governance and the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) sector, with a commitment to ensuring a just and equitable distribution of benefits from natural resource use. She also serves as a Board Member at AfriMine, contributing to the advancement of sustainable mining practices across the continent.

Shahrzad brings a strong scientific foundation combined with extensive international project management experience. In the past, she worked as a Research Associate at the Department of Earth Sciences, conducting experimental and analytical investigations on the Bushveld chromium ore deposits in South Africa. She holds a PhD in Geochemistry and Petrology from ETH Zürich, with backgrounds in Geology and International Business Management.

When not at work, Shahrzad can often be found on her e‑bike, exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of Switzerland.

Skills & Expertise: Resource governance · Supply chain due diligence · Critical minerals · Circular economy · Geochemistry & petrology · Mineralogy

Key Publications:

• Advancing Responsible Sourcing in Mineral Value Chains: Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability (Open access book)
• ASM Capacity-Building: Curriculum and training material for in-country short courses (AfricaMaVal project)
• Empowerment, Investments and Community Wellbeing: Voices from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Zimbabwe
• Environmental Impact of Material Supply Chain Disruptions (ETC EEA Report)