• Lauren Sorkin steps down as Executive Director of Resilient Cities Network
  • Lina Liakou and Katrin Bruebach appointed Co-Managing Directors
  • Transition supports R-Cities’ 2030 strategy to scale city-led resilience worldwide

Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) announces the appointment of Lina Liakou and Katrin Bruebach as Co-Managing Directors. Lauren Sorkin, R-Cities’ inaugural Executive Director, is stepping down. 

The appointment comes as R-Cities launches its 2030 strategy. With more than 100 cities and over a decade of collective experience navigating climate change, conflict and public health crises, the network is positioned to scale what cities have already proven works. 

“We thank Lauren for her leadership and dedication to R-Cities. Lina and Katrin have built this organisation alongside her. They know the cities. They know the partners. And they know what the network demands. Together they are ideally placed to partner with local leaders to design, finance, implement and scale urban resilience.”

— Susan Aitken, Chair, R-Cities Board of Directors

“It has been a privilege to serve as R-Cities inaugural Executive Director. I am proud of what we have achieved – moving from strategy to action – and so very grateful to our Chief Resilience Officers, the Board and the team for their support. I’ve worked alongside Lina and Katrin for nearly a decade and I have every confidence they will take this organisation forward successfully.”

— Lauren Sorkin, outgoing Executive Director

The new leadership structure was approved by the R-Cities Board in March 2026.

“We asked ourselves not just what do cities want from the network, but who could lead us there. Lina and Katrin have complementary strengths: one rooted in city government and partnerships, the other in programme delivery and impact. They have worked alongside each other for a decade. This is the right structure and the right team for what comes next.”

— Daniel Stander, Deputy Chair, R-Cities Board of Directors

Lina and Katrin have been part of the urban resilience movement from the outset. Lina came from inside city government. As Deputy Mayor and then as Chief Resilience Officer of Thessaloniki, she navigated the daily realities of political cycles, institutional silos and the challenge of turning resilience into operational decisions that improve people’s lives.

“Cities have already shown what is possible. Proven approaches are spreading across the network. Our role now is to make sure that knowledge travels to more cities, faster and more equitably.”

— Lina Liakou, Co-Managing Director, Strategy and Engagement

Katrin spent more than two decades on the ground in some of the world’s most complex contexts, delivering water, sanitation and infrastructure programmes across Africa and the Middle East before bringing that implementation depth to R-Cities.

“The question now is whether the systems around cities — finance, governance, institutional capacity — can move fast enough to scale as the moment demands. That is what we are here to do.”

— Katrin Bruebach, Co-Managing Director, Programs and Operations

Both Lina and Katrin were part of R-Cities’ leadership team since its earliest days. Together with cities, Chief Resilience Officers and partners across the network, Lina and Katrin led the development of the 2030 strategy. They now lead its implementation. 

R-Cities will continue working alongside cities, Chief Resilience Officers and partners to scale what cities have already proven works.

“Cities have always been central to this work. Lauren firmly championed this principle, embedding it as a cornerstone of R-Cities’ approach during her tenure. Lina and Katrin bring a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing cities, together with the experience, leadership and committment required to drive meaningful impact. The Global Steering Committee looks forward to deepening this valued partnership under their leadership.”

— Dr. Folayinka Dania, Co-Chair Global Steering Committee 

Lina and Katrin will be supported by a strengthened second-tier leadership team. The new organizational structure distributes decision making, strengthens accountability and builds the institutional depth that scaling city-led resilience demands.