Wednesday, September 24
6:30–10PM
MoMA | NYC
Co-hosted by leading climate philanthropists, including:
Steve and Connie Ballmer,
Sam Ballmer,
Django Bonderman,
Pedro Bueno,
Jason Burnett,
Mark Gallogly and Lise Strickler,
Jeremy and Hanne Grantham,
Paul and Eileen Growald,
Christopher Hohn,
Signe Ostby,
Julie Packard,
Spencer and Sarah Robertson,
Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons,
Fred Taylor,
and more to be announced soon.
At ClimateSHIFT, you’ll join a community of philanthropic leaders acting with imagination and purpose. Together, we’ll explore the science behind urgent climate action and highlight tangible wins made possible by philanthropy.
Program
Join us for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration. Over a seated dinner, we’ll hear from leading voices including scientists, strategists, and intergenerational philanthropists, who will share perspectives on the scale of the challenge, the urgency of this moment, and the transformative potential of bold giving.
From grounding insights in science with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, to stories of action with Climate scientist Dr. Jonathan Foley and president of Climate Lead Jennifer Kitt, the evening will illuminate how philanthropy can help shape a more sustainable future. We’ll also hear from business and philanthropic leaders Pedro Bueno and Fred Taylor.
Together, they’ll connect science, strategy, and lived experience to show how philanthropy can catalyze bold climate action. The night will conclude with dessert and music in the sculpture garden.
Your guides for the evening are:
Pedro Bueno is advancing climate action through philanthropy by supporting high-impact solutions in Brazil. A young business leader from São Paulo, Brazil, he has served for nearly nine years as CEO of DASA (Diagnosticos da America SA), one of Brazil’s top healthcare groups, and now contributes as chairman of the board. Pedro co-founded DNA Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm that focuses primarily on healthcare, and is a board member of the Institute for Climate and Society (iCS), a key organization driving climate philanthropy and policy in Brazil. Through his foundation, Agni, Pedro supports Brazilian solutions with an ambitious net-zero plan, pushing the economic opportunity agenda, and reaching a consensus multi-partisan green economy plan. Pedro is the coordinator of a movement of more than 50 business leaders from some of Brazil’s largest companies, which launched a manifesto in 2024 to champion actions for environmental preservation.
Dr. Jonathan Foley is a leading climate and environmental scientist and Executive Director of Project Drawdown, a nonprofit advancing the world’s most effective climate solutions. His research has transformed understanding of climate, ecosystems, and food systems, and he ranks among the top one percent of the world’s most-cited scientists. Jonathan advises governments, philanthropies, and business leaders on science-based climate action and is focused on advancing solutions that are grounded in data, driven by collaboration, and designed to build a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Previously, he was the founding director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota and executive director of the California Academy of Sciences. A respected thought leader, he has published in Nature, Science, and The New York Times, and his talks have reached millions worldwide.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, and advocate shaping bold, hopeful visions for our climate future. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on coastal cities, and author of, What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. Her work bridges science, culture, and policy to advance inclusive, sustainable climate solutions. Dr. Ayana has led groundbreaking efforts in ocean conservation, from co-founding the Blue Halo Initiative and directing the Waitt Institute’s successful island-wide ocean zoning in the Caribbean, to shaping U.S. federal ocean strategy at the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A Brooklyn native, she continues to champion the role of ocean and community in climate action as a writer, speaker, and strategist. She has been named to the TIME 100 Next list and received the Schneider Award for climate communication.
Jennifer Kitt builds bridges between donors and transformative climate solutions. As president of Climate Lead, she mobilizes philanthropic resources to address the climate crisis, one of humanity’s greatest challenges. With over 20 years of experience working with philanthropists, corporations, and foundations, Jennifer serves as an advisor to donors and a trusted strategic partner for organizations working to address the climate crisis. She is focused on building a community to bring new donors into the climate space to fund high-impact, far-reaching solutions.
Fred Taylor is President and CEO of TGS Management Corp, a quantitative investment firm he co-founded in 1989. He also founded and serves on the board of Sequoia Climate Foundation, which aims to leverage philanthropic investments to mitigate climate change at speed and scale. As an advocate for climate philanthropy, Fred believes that bold strategic giving plays a critical role in building a sustainable future.
Join us at this decisive moment
for urgent action.
This invitation is non-transferable; please contact the Climate Lead team at [email protected] to recommend a guest.
