Caroline Raes
About Caroline Raes
Caroline Raes is the Program Director for Urban Resilience at Catholic Relief Services in Freetown, Sierra Leone, a position she has held since 2020. She has extensive experience in urban planning and resilience, having worked in various roles across Africa and Europe.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Caroline Raes has been serving as the Program Director for Urban Resilience at Catholic Relief Services since 2020. In this role, she is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she oversees initiatives aimed at enhancing urban resilience in vulnerable communities. Her work focuses on developing strategies and programs that address the challenges faced by urban areas, particularly in the context of climate change and socio-economic pressures.
Education and Expertise
Caroline Raes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Université Pierre Mendès-France (Grenoble II), where she studied from 2006 to 2009. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Strategies from Sciences Po, completing her studies from 2009 to 2011. Her academic background equips her with a strong foundation in economic principles and urban planning, which she applies in her professional roles.
Professional Background
Caroline Raes has extensive experience in urban planning and resilience. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Programme Manager - Urban at IPE Global Limited in Ethiopia from 2016 to 2017. She also held the position of Transport Planner at IAU île-de-France in the Paris Area from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, she has worked in various capacities, including as a Senior Program Manager for Africa at both the Global Resilient Cities Network and 100 Resilient Cities, where she contributed to urban resilience initiatives in London.
Previous Roles and Experience
Caroline Raes began her career with internships that laid the groundwork for her expertise in urban planning. She interned at IAU île-de-France in 2011 for five months and later worked as a Junior Consultant at SEMAPHORES in 2012, also for five months. These early roles provided her with practical experience in transport planning and urban strategies, which she built upon in her subsequent positions.