OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Existing science and data demonstrate an immediate need for climate action that rapidly and justly cuts emissions at the global level. Such action must recognize that underserved and marginalized communities, globally, have already been hit hardest by the effects of the climate crisis. We believe bold and ambitious strategies are needed to avoid dangerous climate tipping points, more irreversible damage, and devastating human harm. Not only do we focus on the strategies, tactics, and geographies where our grantees can have the greatest impact and accelerate a just transition to clean energy — we take calculated risks based on emerging evidence to advance solutions at speed and scale.
Collective learning guides our work. Together, Sequoia’s grantees and partners build the capacity to design, assess, and invest in science-based climate change solutions with the highest probability of significant near-term impact. Our commitment to evidence and learning unleashes the power of science, data, and evidence-based decision making to accelerate climate change mitigation.
We know that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, and its impacts are experienced by individuals and communities worldwide. Our grantees, partners, and team of experts are located around the globe and are collectively working to transform markets, identify evidence-based solutions aimed at reducing emissions, and advance policies that accelerate a just transition to clean energy.
We recognize and appreciate that our grantees and partners are closer to their focus areas than we are, and we respect their expertise. Sequoia is committed to building relationships in a spirit of respect, humility, and learning as we support the work of climate action.
We understand the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis on underserved communities, communities of color, and at-risk global populations in this and future generations. That is why people are at the center of everything we do. Where we work and how we work matters. We recognize that everyone has a role in the fight against climate change and we strive to create a sense of belonging for the unique voices, perspectives, and experiences of those involved in the most important fight of our time.
OUR HISTORY
Sequoia Climate Foundation is a private foundation based in Irvine, California.
We were founded in 2020 as it became clear that the scope, pace, and complexity of the climate crisis required a targeted philanthropic response.
Our grantmaking leverages climate science to accelerate the energy transition across geographies and sectors. Those who are most vulnerable are already being affected by climate change, and those with no voice — including future generations — demand that we act with speed and at scale.
Sequoia and its grantmaking operations are committed to bolstering the urgent work of the Foundation’s grantees first and foremost. Together with our grantees and partners, we hope to build a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change.
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Louise Glew, Chief Evidence and Learning Officer
Louise Glew is the chief evidence and learning officer at Sequoia Climate Foundation, where she leads efforts to inform Sequoia’s strategy, and impact through a blend of systems thinking, Bayesian approaches to causal inference, and quantitative modeling.
Prior to joining Sequoia, Louise was the global lead scientist for conservation evidence at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she led an interdisciplinary team focused on the generation, synthesis, and use of evidence in decision-making. She also convened the Alliance for Conservation Evidence and Sustainability (a cross-sector collaboration focused on the use of evidence in decision-making) and was the founding chair of the Impact Evaluation Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology.
Louise holds a doctorate in environmental science from the University of Southampton and has published research on the impacts of biodiversity conservation interventions in leading scientific journals, including Nature and Science.
James Jenkin, Chief Operating Officer
James Jenkin is the chief operating officer at Sequoia Climate Foundation, where he manages the daily operations of the organization, working closely with the President, directors, and all staff to support day-to-day activities.
Before joining Sequoia, James served on the leadership team of the Clinton Foundation as the CEO (and former COO) of the Foundation’s leading international economic development programs, later spun out into the award winning NGO, Acceso.
James began his career as an international attorney before applying his skills toward building businesses that play critical roles in creating market leading positions for the Fortune 500 logistics company TNT Express (now Fedex). Additionally, he managed TNT’s multibillion dollar mergers and acquisition pipeline, globally. A firm believer in using business for social change James developed TNT’s inaugural corporate social responsibility programs across three continents, helping cement TNT as a Dow Jones Sustainability leader; co-founded the North Star Alliance, a social enterprise providing health care to long-distance truck drivers in Africa; and served as the executive director of the beloved New York cultural organization, Printed Matter.
A builder to his core, James’ personal passion is restoring architecturally significant homes. James holds a combined bachelor of law and public administration with honors from the University of Tasmania.
Hannah McKinnon, Vice President, Programs
Hannah McKinnon is a Vice President, Programs at Sequoia Climate Foundation.
Prior to joining Sequoia, Hannah was the director of the Energy Transitions and Futures program at Oil Change International.
Hannah has also worked in national and international climate policy, politics, and advocacy in North America and Europe, as well as climate adaptation and risk management in Central America.
Hannah holds an MSc from the London School of Economics, and political science and an honors degree in biochemistry from Mount Allison University. She also studied at Lester B. Pearson United World College
Michelle Moersfelder, General Counsel
Michelle Moersfelder is general counsel at Sequoia Climate Foundation, where she helps navigate legal and organizational matters and serves as a trusted advisor to leadership and staff.
Prior to joining Sequoia, Michelle served as legal counsel to philanthropies in the US for nearly 10 years, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her experiences include helping to navigate a complex international reorganization, transforming global grantmaking processes, and working closely with teams from all over the world on their grantmaking programs and in-country operations.
Michelle holds a JD from the George Washington University Law School and an LL.M. in taxation from the New York University School of Law.
Clay Stranger, Vice President, Programs
Clay Stranger is a Vice President of Programs at Sequoia Climate Foundation.
Prior to joining Sequoia, he was Managing Director of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). While at RMI, Clay founded RMI’s programs in China and India, led the global transportation practice, and oversaw RMI’s overall programmatic activity as Chair of the Portfolio Management Group. He has worked on energy transition initiatives in more than two dozen countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Christie Ulman, President
Christie Ulman is the president of Sequoia Climate Foundation, where she oversees the foundation’s efforts to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, guides its investments in rapid decarbonization, and leads its strategy of impact-driven philanthropy.
Prior to joining the foundation, Christie served as the climate director at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) in London, and also worked on climate issues at the highest levels of the U.S. government—including at the Department of Energy, the Treasury Department, and the White House. She has also lived in Spain and Thailand, where she worked in public health and education, assisting with disaster relief from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Christie holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a BSc from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with honors.