Sustainability Leaders Podcast

Brenden is co-founder and CEO of Carbon Lighthouse, one of the fastest growing clean energy companies in the country. In just six or so years Carbon Lighthouse has grown from ground zero to 85 employees and has eliminated emissions equivalent to 6 power plants with another 9 under contract. Brenden and his team are razor focused on this goal—eliminating as many GHGs as possible. He shares his insights on job opportunities in the clean energy economy and the skills needed to get them. Brenden is candid about his stumbling blocks and accomplishments in building a successful clean energy company.

Nichols served as CARB Chair in Gov Jerry Brown's first administration in the late 70s and early 80s, and was appointed again in 2007 by Gov Schwarzennegar, a post she continues to hold today. In this conversation, recorded in front of a live audience at NRDC's Santa Monica office in December 2018, Mary Nichols shares her personal story, from her roots in Ithaca New York, to her time as the first female reporter for the WSJ, to her post overseeing the air and radiation section of US EPA under Clinton, to one of her current roles as negotiator-in-chief with the Trump Administration, as they seek to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement and roll back California's right under the Clean Air Act to regulate vehicle emissions.

Gary Gero has had a long career in energy, environmental policy and organizational leadership. From LADWP, where he oversaw renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, to leading the Climate Action Reserve where he played a key role in implementing California's cap and trade program, to his current role as Chief Sustainability Officer for the County of LA, which includes nearly 90 cities. I enjoyed catching up with my old friend, and think you'll enjoy getting to know Gary, his life and work and his advice to those seeking careers in sustainability.

Bob Perciasepe currently presides over C2ES, a prominent, independent organization that partners with large businesses, mayors and others to create solutions to climate change. Bob has served as an Acting EPA administrator under Obama, head of water and air at EPA under Clinton, COO of the National Audubon Society and Secretary of Environment for the state of MD.

If you're interested in working on environmental issues, listen to this episode. Louis has a ton of useful advice on how to build expertise, cultivate networks and chart a career path that will put you in the mix. Louis is a great lover of forests and a world expert in forest and land use policy. While his official work at The Nature Conservancy is focused on CA, he is expert in REDD+ and forest policy from Mexico to Brazil to Indonesia.

In his role at SCG, Randall brought together multiple agencies and departments to support sustainable communities emphasizing strong economies, social equity and environmental stewardship. Randall previously worked in Governor Jerry Brown's office helping to lead efforts to implement Executive Orders on Green Buildings and Zero Emission Vehicles, as well as international climate policy.

Overseeing the strategy for implementing the massive shift to a clean grid is the Chairman of the California Energy Commission, Bob Weisenmiller. The commission he oversees is responsible for a range of critical energy issues, from advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy to investing in energy innovation to transforming the state's transportation sector. Weisenmiller brings deep expertise to the post in which he has served since Governor Brown first appointed him in 2011. Bob joined me for a far-ranging discussion from his childhood in Maryland to his views on the energy transition and the job opportunities it creates.

Phil Ting is pushing the envelope of California environmental legislation; authoring AB 1745, which seeks to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles after 2045. While the bill did not pass this year, he vows to bring it back in 2019. In our conversation, we cover Phil's early career as a civil rights activist in the Asian community, his views on green job opportunities, and the climate priorities of the California legislature, where he currently chairs the Assembly budget committee.

Ken Alex is executive director of the governor's Office of Planning and Research, California's strategic planning facility for land use, and the clearinghouse for much of the state's environmental goal setting, monitoring and funding. One of Ken's marquis accomplishments has been the Under 2 Coalition, a signed commitment representing 43% of the global economy…

Felicia Marcus sits at the helm of the agency that controls California's most contested resource—water. In her role as Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, Marcus oversees statewide policy, settles water rights disagreements, and hears appeals of local regional water quality decisions, and is responsible for both water quality and water rights across the state. Her career has spanned top-ranking positions at the City of Los Angeles and the Natural Resources Defense Council, as well as serving as administrator for Region 9 of the US EPA. In this episode, Felicia tells us about her life and career, offers advice for those interested in working on environment and water, and shares her perspectives on this critically important issue.