Dawn Lippert

Founding Partner

2021 - Current

A venture capital firm backing entrepreneurs making a dent in climate change, spun out of Elemental in 2021.

Founder & CEO, Elemental Excelerator

2017

Elemental Excelerator advances solutions to climate change and deploys them in the communities that need them the most. Each year, we find 15-20 companies that best fit our mission and fund each company up to $1 million to improve systems that impact people’s lives: energy, mobility, water, agriculture, and beyond. To date, we have invested in 117 companies. Our program is supported by a diverse coalition of utility partners, corporate partners, the U.S. Navy, and philanthropic organizations. We are a non-profit created in collaboration with Emerson Collective, the investment and philanthropic platform led by Laurene Powell Jobs. Website: elementalexcelerator.com Twitter: @ElementalExcel

Founder, Energy Excelerator

2009 - 2017

In April 2017, Energy Excelerator (the first climate-focused accelerator) became Elemental Excelerator, a new non-profit created in collaboration with Emerson Collective. Read more about our evolution here: http://elementalexcelerator.com/latest/articles/introducing-elemental-excelerator/

Senior Climate Advisor

2017

Emerson Collective is a social change organization that uses a broad range of tools including philanthropy, impact investing, and policy solutions to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Established and led by Laurene Powell Jobs, Emerson Collective is working to renew some of society’s most calcified systems, creating new possibilities for individuals, families, and communities.

Board Observer

2024

Board Member and Founder

2010

Founded WiRE: Women in Renewable Energy, a non-profit to convene, empower, and activate women who are working to bring about a sustainable economy powered by clean energy. I served as President of WiRE from 2010-2015, and now serve as a Director Emeritus.

Board Observer

2022 - 2024

Vesta adds a carbon-removing sand made of the natural mineral olivine to eroding coastal systems, providing both climate and community benefit.

Board Observer

2021 - 2022

Independent Board Director

2021 - 2022

Chair of HCEI Advisory Board

2015 - 2020

Chaired Advisory Board for the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). HCEI is a coalition of public and private partners transforming Hawai’i to a 100% clean energy economy.

Senior Consultant

2007 - 2009

Conducted energy modelling, financial analysis, and strategic planning for Booz Allen Hamilton's alternative energy team. Major projects included energy finance, energy system modeling and scenario analysis, utility regulatory design, policy development, and the launching of ARPA-E. As a consultant to US Department of Energy EERE for the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, developed partnership between DOE and the State of Hawaii to flip the state from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy. Hawai’i subsequently became the first state in the nation to adopt a 100% renewable portfolio standard. Responsible for stakeholder engagement, technical and financial analysis, and policy development to support whole-system transformation.