Dr. Sara Vakhshouri is a globally renowned energy security strategist and humanitarian visionary who founded SVB Energy International, a prominent strategic consulting firm. Additionally, she established SVB Green Access, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting affordable and inclusive energy access programs in regions facing energy poverty challenges and addressing imminent water access issues. With over two decades of experience in the energy industry, Dr. Vakhshouri possesses unparalleled expertise in global energy market studies, energy security strategy, energy transition, national security, and geopolitical risk assessment.
She is a faculty member and teaches courses on Energy Security, Energy Diplomacy, and Critical Minerals and National Security at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS), in the Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA) program. She also teaches and serves as the Chair of the Center for Energy Security and Energy Diplomacy at the Institute of World Politics (IWP), Graduate School of National Security, Statecraft, and International Affairs. In addition, Dr. Vakhshouri is also a faculty member and teaches executive courses at KAPSARC School of Public Policy (KSPP) in Riyadh, and holds the position of Senior Fellow at both the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. She is a member of the advisory board for the Romanian American Institute for Smart Energy (RAISE) and Vice President of The National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE). She is also the recipient of the 2024 IWP General Raymond Odierno Leadership Award.
Throughout her career, Dr. Vakhshouri has provided invaluable counsel to numerous governments on energy strategy and energy roadmap development. She has also advised and shared her insights with public and private entities, along with international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organisation Méditerranéenne de l’Énergie et du Climat (OMEC). From 2020 to 2022, she was a key member of the Energy Task Force of the Cyprus Climate Initiative, initiated by the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dr. Vakhshouri’s contributions have been published in prestigious publications and journals, including The Economist, Oxford Energy Forum, Middle East Economic Survey, and Oil and Gas Journal. She has also contributed to energy research projects at various institutions, including the IMF, IEA, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Harvard University’s Kennedy School, CEDIGAZ, and the OMEC, among others.
Dr. Vakhshouri has been the keynote speaker at renowned energy conferences worldwide, including the World Energy Congress, Platts Oil and Middle East Conferences, ADIPEC and the Global LNG Congress. She has also delivered keynote speeches at esteemed institutions such as Duke University, Rice University, Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, Sciences Po University in Paris, and Chatham House. Frequently quoted and featured in major international media outlets including Bloomberg, the BBC, CNBC, CNN, The Financial Times, Reuters, Platts, The Wall Street Journal, Energy Intelligence, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, Voice of America, and Fox News, Dr. Vakhshouri’s expertise is widely recognized. Her contributions also 1 extend to chapters in various books and energy reports, including the World Energy Outlook 2018 published by the IEA.
Dr. Vakhshouri’s educational background includes a PhD in Energy Security and Middle Eastern Studies, complemented by two MA degrees in Business Management (International Marketing), and International Relations.
