SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ClimateWorks Foundation board of directors announced today that it has appointed Julie Blunden, a 25-year veteran of the energy industry, as the Foundation’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 21, 2012. Ms. Blunden is a widely recognized energy policy expert with extensive applied experience in both the industrial and non-profit sectors.
“Julie has spent her entire career focused on the nexus of energy technology, policy, and markets,” said Foundation Chairman and former EPA administrator William Reilly. “As ClimateWorks enters the next phase of its continuing evolution, we’re excited to have Julie’s strong leadership and deep expertise to help drive us toward a low-carbon future.”
Ms. Blunden will join ClimateWorks after completing her service as executive vice president of the SunPower Corp., which she helped grow into one of the world’s leading solar power companies. Previously, she co-founded Green Mountain Energy Company, an early provider of direct-to-consumer renewable energy products and programs. As a development manager for AES Corp., Ms. Blunden oversaw the development of power generation projects around the world. She currently sits on the boards of several non-profits that are active in clean energy policy advocacy.
Ms. Blunden’s appointment came after an extensive, international search led by a subcommittee of the ClimateWorks Foundation board of directors, chaired by Chad Holliday, chairman of Bank of America, and including board chairman Mr. Reilly and Bertrand Collomb, Honorary Chairman of Lafarge. She succeeds Hal Harvey, who left ClimateWorks in December 2011.
“My career has provided me with great insight into the potential pace of technological change in the energy industry,” said Ms. Blunden. “However, technology is not the limitation to lowering global carbon emissions, rather it is market design, public policy and business engagement. I am honored to join ClimateWorks and its network of partners, which have already made major contributions to reducing carbon emissions around the world. I look forward to extending ClimateWorks’ success, both with our current partners and new allies who can help expand our reach.”
The ClimateWorks Foundation’s major donors expressed their strong support for Ms. Blunden and the Foundation as she makes the transition to the role of CEO.
“ClimateWorks has always taken a rigorous, metrics-based approach to solving the problem of climate change, and Julie’s private sector experience and discipline will be a great complement to a very focused institution,” said Paul Brest, President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. “We look forward to working with Julie for many years to come.”
“Julie truly believes in the mission and values that guide ClimateWorks’ philanthropic efforts,” said Carol Larson, President of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. “Her passion for this cause, and deep subject matter expertise, make her a great choice to lead ClimateWorks.”
“The ClimateWorks Foundation’s unique approach to reducing carbon emissions through policy and advocacy is invaluable to the field,” said Kate Wolford, president of the McKnight Foundation. “We are pleased to support ClimateWorks’ efforts during this important leadership transition.”
About the ClimateWorks Foundation
The ClimateWorks Foundation supports public policies that can prevent dangerous climate change and promote global prosperity. ClimateWorks’ founding donors—the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation -- based the structure of ClimateWorks on a 2007 study, “Design to Win: Philanthropy’s Role in the Fight Against Global Warming."
The ClimateWorks Foundation funds an international Network of institutions focused on the regions and sectors responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. The regions include China, India, Europe, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia; and the power, transportation, buildings, appliances, land use, and industry sectors. Each year, in collaboration with its Network partners, ClimateWorks invests over U.S. $150 million in initiatives that support the policies that can reduce carbon emissions.