Jesse Coleman leads technical and advisory support, training, peer learning, design and dissemination of resources, and strategic partnerships. Jesse works with developed and developing economy governments, civil society, regional economic communities, regional and intergovernmental organizations (including the AU, OECD, UNCITRAL, UNCTAD, UN OHCHR, and the World Bank), and donors to develop and implement projects that align economic law and governance with human rights and sustainable development objectives. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Law at Trinity College Dublin, teaching an LL.M. and M.Sc. in Law & Finance course on Investment Law & Sustainable Development.

Previously, Jesse led projects at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) in New York that focused on investment law, land governance, and human rights. Jesse’s portfolio included management of two of the Center’s flagship projects: Advancing Land-Based Investment Governance (ALIGN, implemented by a consortium of CCSI, IIED and Namati) and a technical support initiative for African Union Member States regarding the African Continental Free Trade Area. Jesse also led the Center’s work on investment law and human rights and served as co-editor in chief of the Yearbook on International Investment Law & Policy, an annual volume published by Oxford University Press.

Jesse lives between Ireland, Rome, and New York. She is fluent in Italian.

Select experience

• Co-managing a multi-year responsive technical support program for government, civil society, and other stakeholders regarding large-scale land-based investment projects, including agriculture, natural resources, and renewable energy projects

• Technical support – including trainings, research and drafting, and in-session support – to regional organizations and governments negotiating bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and investment treaty reforms

• Designing and delivering peer sharing and training programs for government, civil society, intergovernmental organizations, donors, the private sector, and others

Select publications

• With A. Bulman, et al, Screening for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems: Guidance and tools for government officials, FAO and CCSI (2024)

• With L. Sachs and L., Johnson (eds), Yearbook on International Investment Law & Policy, OUP (2017-2020)

• With L. Johnson, et al, Costs and benefits of investment treaties: Practical considerations for states, CCSI (2018)

• J. Coleman, et al, “What do we mean by investment facilitation?” (CCSI Blog, 2018)

Education

• LL.M. (Public International Law) – University of Cambridge

• LL.B. (Laws) and B.A. (Political Science) – Trinity College Dublin