Ursula Vesala
Senior Philanthropy Advisor
Ursula supports new and existing climate donors to confidently enter or scale their climate philanthropy. A creative problem solver with a long-tail view of change, Ursula has spent the past two decades supporting generous individuals, families, and institutions.
Prior to joining Climate Lead, Ursula led a team helping Cornell University alumni on the West Coast drive meaningful impact across schools. She brings a wealth of institutional experience from Stanford, Yale Law School, Columbia, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Before entering philanthropy, she taught undergraduate history courses in New Orleans.
A historian by training, Ursula holds a bachelor’s degree in modern American history from the University of Helsinki, a master’s degree in Southern studies from Mississippi University, and a PhD in modern U.S. history from Tulane University.
