Mae Valdez-Irong is the regional program manager of ICLEI Southeast Asia, bringing over a decade of experience in climate action and governance ranging from community-led adaptation, decarbonizing energy-intensive industries, to national and regional policy advocacy. An expert certified development project management Professional (CDPM® Level II), she leads initiatives supporting local governments in climate risk assessments, greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, and inclusive planning. She was a recipient of the Yale School of the Environment's Three Cairns Scholarship for Urban Climate Leadership. Her work bridges global sustainability knowledge with practical, community-centered, and inclusive urban resilience strategies across the region.