Wednesday, September 24
6:30–10:00PM
MoMA | NYC
Co-hosted by leading climate philanthropists, including
Steve and Connie Ballmer
Sam Ballmer
Django Bonderman
Richard Branson
Pedro Bueno
Jason Burnett
Mark Gallogly and Lise Strickler
Jeremy and Hanne Grantham
Paul and Eileen Growald
Christopher Hohn
Richard and Dee Lawrence
Signe Ostby
Julie Packard
Spencer and Sarah Robertson
Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons
Fred Taylor
You are invited to ClimateSHIFT 2025—a three-part experience during Climate Week NYC, convening philanthropists for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration. Over a locally sourced dinner, we’ll explore bold climate solutions and collective ways to shape a better future.
Program
The evening will feature Dr. Jonathan Foley, Project Drawdown and Jennifer Kitt, Climate Lead, as they lay out the science-backed case for bold climate action and introduce a new lens for climate philanthropists focused on the urgency of climate solutions.
In a one-of-a-kind conversation, philanthropists Pedro Bueno and Fred Taylor will share personal stories and insights about how they started and what drives them to scale their climate giving.
New York Times bestselling author and climate visionary Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will share a refreshing view from her latest book, What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures, reminding us of the joy, possibility, and power we each hold to shape what comes next.
We’ll conclude the evening in MoMA’s sculpture garden with dessert and a special joint performance by pianist Derek Wang, alongside poet and one of BBC’s 100 most inspirational women, Emi Mahmoud.
Read more about our featured speakers below.
Featured Speakers
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 health care, 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.
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. As one of the world’s most-cited scientists, Jon advises governments, philanthropies, and business leaders on science-based climate action focusing 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. As 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. She was named one of the TIME 100 leaders for 2021, listed among Elle‘s 27 Women Leading on Climate, and won 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 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.
If you are interested in joining us, please reach out to [email protected]. This invitation is non-transferable; please contact the Climate Lead team to recommend a guest.