Dr. Ryan Merrill is Co-founder of Handprint Tech and Founder of the Global Mangrove Trust, pioneering scalable blue carbon financing and regenerative technologies in Southeast Asia. A global expert in Digital and Sustainability Transformation for retail banks and fintechs, he co-authored a United Nations–commissioned report guiding how banks can align digital transformation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Merrill’s research on customer-facing climate engagement earned the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award for Best Paper, a milestone that reshaped how financial institutions design sustainability programs that genuinely inspire long-term user engagement. His work bridges cutting-edge technology, sustainability science, and financial innovation, making him a sought-after voice on the future of green finance.

He previously served as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainability at Singapore Management University and holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Southern California.