Consultant, Advisor, Author, and Professor
About
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri is a globally renowned energy security strategist and humanitarian visionary who founded SVB Energy International, a prominent strategic consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC, and Dubai. Additionally, she established SVB Green Access, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting affordable and inclusive energy access programs in regions facing energy poverty challenges and addressing imminent water access issues.
With over two decades of experience in the energy industry, Dr. Vakhshouri possesses unparalleled expertise in global energy market studies, energy security strategy, energy transition, national security, and geopolitical risk assessment. She teaches courses on Energy Security and Energy Diplomacy at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS). She also teaches and serves as the Chair of the Center for Energy Security and Energy Diplomacy at the Institute of World Politics (IWP), Graduate School of National Security, Statecraft, and International Affairs.
In addition, Dr. Vakhshouri holds the position of Senior Fellow at both the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. She is a member of the advisory board for the Romanian American Institute for Smart Energy (RAISE) and The National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE). She is also the recipient of the 2024 IWP General Raymond Odierno Leadership Award.
Throughout her career, Dr. Vakhshouri has provided invaluable counsel to numerous governments on energy strategy and energy roadmap development. She has also advised and shared her insights with public and private entities, along with international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organisation Méditerranéenne de l’Énergie et du Climat (OMEC). From 2020 to 2022, she was a key member of the Energy Task Force of the Cyprus Climate Initiative, initiated by the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dr. Vakhshouri’s contributions have been published in prestigious publications and journals, including The Economist, Oxford Energy Forum, Middle East Economic Survey, and Oil and Gas Journal. She has also contributed to energy research projects at various institutions, including the IEA, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Harvard University’s Kennedy School, CEDIGAZ, and the OMEC, among others.
Dr. Vakhshouri has been the keynote speaker at renowned energy conferences worldwide, including the World Energy Congress, Platts Oil and Middle East Conferences, and the Global LNG Congress. She has also delivered keynote speeches at esteemed institutions such as Duke University, Rice University, Sciences Po University in Paris, and Johns Hopkins University and Chatham House. Frequently quoted and featured in major international media outlets including Bloomberg, the BBC, CNBC, The Financial Times, Reuters, Platts, The Wall Street Journal, Energy Intelligence, Foreign Policy,
The Washington Post, Voice of America, and Fox News, Dr. Vakhshouri’s expertise is widely recognized. Her contributions also extend to chapters in various books and energy reports, including the World Energy Outlook 2018 published by the IEA.
Dr. Vakhshouri’s educational background includes a PhD in Energy Security and Middle Eastern Studies, complemented by two MA degrees in Business Management (International Marketing), and International Relations.
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Expertise
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri has more than 20 years of experience working in the energy industry in different regions including US and North America, India, Middle East and Africa.
She has a Ph.D. in Energy Security, a Master degree in Business Management (International Marketing), and a Masters degree in International Relations.
Energy Advisor
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri has more than 20 years of experience working in the energy industry and advising different countries including US, EU, Canada, Cyprus, France, UK, Mexico, India, Japan, and different countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Regularly collaborating with International organizations including; International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Information Agency (EIA), European, International Energy Forum (IEF), OPEC and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affair.
She has advised numerous international banks and financial institutions including: Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citi Bank, and Bank of Japan.
She has advised various governments, energy companies, investment banks, financial institutions, law firms and international corporations on energy security strategies and energy transition, energy markets, trading and the geopolitics of energy, and investment patterns
Author
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri has published articles in numerous journals including The Economist, The Oxford Energy Forum, Middle East Economic Survey, and Oil and Gas Journal. Dr. Sara Vakhshouri has also contributed to different energy research works and studies at the International Energy Agency (IEA), Harvard University’s Kennedy School, Oxford Energy Institute, CEDIGAZ, Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and The Economist’s Energy Intelligence Unit. She is the author of a published book titled The Marketing and Sale of Iranian Export Crude Oil Since the Islamic Revolution.
She is the author of The Marketing and Sale of Iranian Export Crude Oil since the Islamic Revolution. Dr. Vakhshouri has also contributed chapters in different books and energy reports including World Energy Outlook 2018, published by the International Energy Agency. She regularly briefs energy think tanks and agencies including the International Energy Administration (IEA) & Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Humanitarian Visionary and Entrepreneur
Founder of SVB Energy International, a strategic energy consulting firm and of SVB Green Access, a non-profit organization that promotes and provides an affordable and inclusive energy program to areas in which energy poverty exists, and safe water access is either poor or would be in great need in the future.
Academic Activities
Dr. Vakhshouri She teaches courses on Energy Security and Energy Diplomacy at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS).
She is Professor and Chair of Center for Energy Security and Energy Diplomacy at the Institute of World Politics (IWP)
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri has been a keynote speaker at prestigious energy conferences including the World Energy Congress, Chatham House Middle East & Energy Conference, Platts Oil and Middle East conferences and the Global LNG Congress.
She has also been a keynote speaker at Duke University, Sciences Po university in Paris and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Vakhshouri is frequently quoted and has appeared on Bloomberg, the BBC, The Financial Times, Reuters, Platts, The Wall Street Journal, Energy Intelligence, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post and Voice of America.
Senior Energy Fellow
She is Senior Energy Fellow at the Oxford Institue for Energy Studies, and Canadian Global Affairs Institue, she has also been a Senior Energy Fellow at the Atlantic Council .
Area of Focus
Energy Security Strategy, Energy and national security, energy diplomacy, energy access in the era of transition, and energy markets