Steady Hands in Turbulent Times: Practicing Climate Leadership in a Backsliding Political Moment

In moments of political retrenchment, the work of climate governance doesn’t stop. But rather, it adapts. This panel brings together policy practitioners who are navigating shifting mandates, constrained institutions, and polarized narratives to keep climate ambition alive. Their stories reveal what resilient, pragmatic leadership looks like in practice: sustaining implementation, maintaining morale, and finding creative pathways for progress even when political winds turn against it.

Governance Track

1:30pm-2:45pm

Moderated by Avanti Mehrotra, HKS MPP27

Panelists

  • Lily Bermel

    Visiting Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs; former policy advisor to John Kerry (Special Presidential Envoy for Climate)

  • Matthew Hickman

    Vice President of Investment and Portfolio at New York Green Bank

GOVERNANCE TRACK

GOVERNANCE TRACK