Tom Steyer

Tom Steyer is a California business leader, philanthropist, and clean energy advocate. He is well known for founding Farallon Capital Management and later co-founding Galvanize Climate Solutions, a climate-focused investment firm, in 2021. Before retiring from the private sector, Steyer served as the Senior Managing Member of Farallon Capital Management.

In addition to his business endeavors, Steyer has been prominently involved in environmental and political activism. He co-founded NextGen America, an organization that supports progressive positions on climate change, immigration, healthcare, and education. His political engagement also includes his run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, though he withdrew after the first four state contests. Steyer notably used his influence to successfully oppose Proposition 23 in 2010, a measure that would have rolled back California's environmental legislation, AB32. He also co-chaired the Yes on Proposition 39 campaign in 2012, which closed a tax loophole for multi-state corporations and contributed $29.6 million to the campaign.

Steyer and his wife, Kat Taylor, have also made significant commitments to philanthropy. In 2010, they joined Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, and other wealthy Americans in The Giving Pledge, a promise to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable and nonprofit activities during their lifetimes. Their philanthropic efforts also led them to create and fund the Oakland-based Beneficial State Bank and Foundation, which provides loans and banking services to underserved small businesses, communities, and individuals in California and along the West Coast.

Steyer's contributions to society and academia extend beyond his business and philanthropic endeavors. He served on the Board of Trustees at Stanford University from 2007 to 2017 and contributed to the creation of the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford University in 2008. After his presidential run, Steyer was selected by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 to chair a task force focused on the state's economic recovery post the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to his various roles, Steyer is also an author. His book, "Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We'll Win the Climate War," was released in 2024. He has received numerous awards for his environmental work, including the Phillip Burton Public Service Award of Consumer Watchdog (2011), the Environmental Leadership Award of the California League of Conservation Voters (2012), the Environmental Achievement Award of the Environmental Law Institute (2013), and the Land Conservation Award of the Open Space Institute (2015). He was also recognized with Equality California's 2015 Humanitarian Award for his work benefiting the LGBT community.