Rahul Shah is a Master of Environmental Management ’26 candidate and Three Cairns Scholar at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). Originally from Kenya and raised in South Africa, he brings to YSE a professional background in climate finance, startup investing, and sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa. His academic and professional interests focus on the intersection of sustainable agroforestry systems and innovative financing mechanisms for tropical forest restoration and conservation. Rahul is particularly passionate about advancing natural science–based solutions that protect biodiversity in the tropics while supporting rural livelihoods and sustainable development.
Beyond his studies, Rahul is an avid birder, a wildlife and documentary photographer, and a sports enthusiast with a love for cricket, squash, and rugby.