Stephen P. Groff

Board Member	Board of Trustees

Biography

Stephen P. Groff (Elected 2026) is an economist, global leader, and development finance expert with deep roots in Vermont. He brings extensive international experience across government service, multilateral institutions, and environmental policy to the Champlain College Board of Trustees. Most recently, Steve was the founding Governor of Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund, establishing a $130 billion financial institution designed to drive national economic diversification. Under his guidance, the fund laid the groundwork to generate over $150 billion in economic impact by 2030.

Prior to that role, Steve served as Vice-President at the Asian Development Bank, directing operational portfolios exceeding $38 billion across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. His executive background also includes leadership positions with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris and the Millennium Challenge Corporation in Washington, D.C.

Steve began his career with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and the Peace Corps. He serves on numerous international advisory boards—including the Marine Stewardship Council and the Global Footprint Network—and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bretton Woods Committee.

A published author and scholar, Steve writes extensively on environmental policy and global development for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Project Syndicate. He authored the book The Turbulent Waters of Climate Action, released by Penguin Random House India.

Steve earned degrees from Yale University and the Harvard Kennedy School, as well as a doctorate from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Raised in the Mad River Valley, Steve resides in Burlington, carrying on a family heritage in Vermont that dates back to the 18th century. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, sailing, and competing in triathlons.