Piyush Verma

Growing up without electricity in a small town in rural India, Dr Piyush Verma vividly remembers the lengths his father went to so he could have kerosene oil in his lamp to study at night.

That experience not only left a lasting mark on Piyush, but also shaped his future – inspiring him to dedicate his life to improving access to clean energy around the globe.

“My father’s quiet resilience taught me that energy access isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about dignity, opportunity and the belief that no circumstance is too difficult to rise above.”

Today, Piyush is a global energy and climate policy expert who works at the intersection of technology, economy, society and governance. Over the past decade he’s led projects spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific and the United States, helping governments accelerate their transition to clean energy.

Piyush graduated from the University of Auckland in 2018 with a PhD in engineering, focused on energy technology and policy. Through his studies, he learnt “to approach problems through multiple lenses”.

“The academic rigour of engineering, combined with my interest in understanding how technology fits within broader policy and societal contexts, taught me to balance technical precision with big-picture thinking,” he says. “It was there that I began to see that even the most complex solutions need to be grounded in real-world realities and human impact.”

After completing his studies in Auckland, Piyush moved to combine his technical skills with a focus on policy, leading him to attain a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University in 2022.

“Although I earned my PhD in engineering, I was always fascinated by policy – especially the challenge of bridging the gap between technology, policy and society. As my career progressed, I found myself increasingly drawn to international development, global diplomacy and the geopolitics of energy and climate, while still keeping my technical expertise at the core of my work. What began as a passion for expanding energy access gradually evolved into a broader focus on driving systems change across sectors and countries. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Helping to drive energy change in a world often stubbornly attached to the past hasn’t been easy, though.

“One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the inertia, bureaucracy and entrenched silos that so often stand in the way of meaningful climate action. Early in my career, I underestimated how much patience it takes to build genuine trust and consensus in these environments. Over time, I’ve learned that perseverance, the ability to listen without judgment, empathy for different perspectives and simply showing up consistently can be just as critical as any technical expertise. In the end, driving change is as much about building relationships as it is about designing solutions.”

Despite the challenges, knowing he is helping to build a more sustainable and equitable future makes it all worth it.

“Whether I’m mentoring young professionals, shaping national policies, or fostering international partnerships, I feel a deep sense of purpose in contributing to something larger than myself. It’s especially fulfilling to see ideas turn into real-world change – like communities gaining access to clean energy or countries moving closer to their energy and climate goals. Those moments remind me why I chose this path.”

Piyush’s next goal is to publish a book he has been working on – sharing his journey growing up without electricity, India’s evolving energy transformation, and the insights he’s gained over his career.

“I hope this book will inspire future leaders to see that no obstacle is insurmountable when purpose, curiosity and perseverance come together.”