ClimateWorks Welcomes Helen Mountford as its Next President and CEO
Former executive of World Resources Institute and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to lead global climate philanthropic foundation
SAN FRANCISCO – January 24, 2022 – ClimateWorks Foundation, a leading global platform for climate philanthropy, today welcomed Helen Mountford as its next president and CEO. She brings over 25 years of global experience at the intersection of environmental action, economic development, and climate policy to her role at ClimateWorks.
“Helen is a strategic thinker, global collaborator, and inclusive leader who is intentional about ensuring equitable and just solutions are at the heart of climate action. She is perfectly positioned to build out ClimateWorks’ unique role and positive momentum to move even faster, deepen collaborations, and extend our global impact in years ahead,” ClimateWorks Foundation Board Chair Sue Tierney wrote in a blog post in December announcing the appointment.
“Governments, corporates, and others have made major commitments to tackle the climate crisis, but these commitments now need to be turned urgently into action and investments,” said Mountford. “Climate philanthropy is vital because it can fill critical gaps, help raise ambitions, elevate important voices, and quickly move funds to the highest priorities, as a complement to public and private finance. I am energized to join ClimateWorks at this pivotal moment in the climate fight to help support the climate philanthropy community with the latest intelligence and opportunities to convene and collaborate to drive forward together the best opportunities we have to put the world on a safer trajectory.”
For more, read a Q&A with Helen Mountford here.
About Helen Mountford
Helen Mountford was previously the vice president of climate and economics at World Resources Institute, where she led global teams to advance policies and economic approaches to successfully address climate change. She was also the program director for the New Climate Economy project, a flagship initiative of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. Prior to this, Helen worked at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for 16 years, advising governments on policy reforms and overseeing work on various issues, including climate change finance and economics, fossil fuel subsidy reforms, green growth, and biodiversity incentive measures. She started her career with an NGO in Australia and running a recycling scheme in England. Helen holds Master’s degrees in Environmental Economics from University College London and Environmental Management from the University of Melbourne. She has a BA in Philosophy and History.
About ClimateWorks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a global platform for philanthropy to innovate and accelerate climate solutions that scale. We deliver global programs and services that equip philanthropy with the knowledge, networks, and solutions to drive climate progress. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $1.3 billion to more than 600 grantees in over 40 countries.
