Thom Woodroofe is the Chief of Staff to former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in his capacity as President & CEO of the Asia Society, and is a fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute where he works on U.S.-China climate cooperation, China’s climate diplomacy, and Asia’s transition to net zero emissions.

Prior to this, Thom worked as a diplomatic advisor to the president and foreign minister of a Pacific Island nation, including helping them play a key role in securing the Paris Agreement on climate change and to form the High Ambition Coalition of progressive nations. He also worked with Rohingya politicians and refugees from Myanmar to deliver key accountability mechanisms and punitive measures, such as the establishment of a UN investigative body and the imposition of targeted sanctions by countries.

Thom is a regular media commentator and writer having published over 100 opinion pieces and research papers. As the founder of two national organizations in Australia, Thom has previously been recognized as the Young Victorian of the Year.

Thom studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and is also a graduate of Monash and Melbourne universities. He has completed a United Nations Fellowship on Peacemaking & Preventative Diplomacy.