The Climate Reality Project Welcomes New President and CEO Phyllis Cuttino

Washington, DC (May 23, 2022) – Today, The Climate Reality Project announced that climate and clean energy advocate Phyllis Cuttino will join the organization as its new President and CEO, effective June 1. Succeeding previous President and CEO Ken Berlin, who announced his retirement in Fall 2021, Cuttino’s candidacy was approved by The Climate Reality Project’s Board of Directors by unanimous vote. 

For nearly 20 years, Cuttino has cultivated deep experience and relationships across the climate and clean energy space and successfully led coordinated campaigns, coalitions, and issue advocacy efforts to achieve both narrative and policy change and push for meaningful and equitable climate action.

“We are thrilled to welcome Phyllis Cuttino, a proven leader on climate and clean energy advocacy to The Climate Reality Project,” said former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Chairman of The Climate Reality Project. “Phyllis has a strong track record of bringing together diverse voices across the climate movement to drive change and deliver important progress to move us away from fossil fuels and toward a cleaner and more equitable future. She is not only fluent in climate policy, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to building broad coalitions of climate activists dedicated to equitable and ambitious climate action. I am excited to work with her to move The Climate Reality Project into our next chapter.” 

“I am honored to join The Climate Reality Project as the organization and its leaders continue to forge a more sustainable climate future,” said Phyllis Cuttino. “I look forward to engaging with the broader climate and environmental justice movement to catalyze a global response to the climate crisis and promote a just, equitable, and clean future for all. Our mission couldn’t be more urgent, and I cannot wait to get to work with the incredible Climate Reality staff.”

Before joining The Climate Reality Project, Cuttino served as Executive Director of the Climate Action Campaign – a coalition of 14 of the leading national climate and health organizations representing more than 12 million Americans. Under her leadership, the Climate Action Campaign coordinated with grassroots organizations around the country to build momentum around federal climate, clean air, and clean energy policy. Cuttino also served as the Managing Director of Climate Nexus’ Issues Management team, where she piloted a unit dedicated to identifying emerging policy and narrative threats and opportunities, as well as conceiving and operationalizing responses for the broader environmental movement. 

Cuttino has also led climate and sustainability work at the Pew Charitable Trusts and held various roles for political campaigns and elected officials. She served on the senior staff of two United States Senators and served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Ted Turner’s $1 billion gift to U.N. causes.