ECO EQUITY

Vien is co-founder of Eco Equity. She regularly advises lawmakers, universities, foundations, and organizations on developing an inclusive workforce, creating sustainable economies, and equitable environmental policies. Most recently, she directed the Climate Justice efforts for the Tom Steyer PAC where she led the Biden-Harris Climate Engagement Advisory Council efforts. She simultaneously supported the climate efforts of the State of California’s Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force. She previously served as Senior Advisor to Tom Steyer for President 2020 and was a leading author for his climate platform.

Vien previously served as the President and CEO of the Dream Corps, which brings people together to solve America’s problems by backing initiatives that close prison doors and open doors of opportunity for all. Under her leadership, the Dream Corps’ team (#cut50, Green For All, YesWeCode, and LoveArmy) passed historic policies in criminal justice, climate justice, and created nationally recognized programs to increase tech diversity. Her team worked regularly with leaders to move the country forward, from influencers like Kim Kardashian to Flint moms, from Wall Street investors to White House insiders. Under her leadership, her team’s work was covered from NY Times, CNN, Fox News, TechCrunch to TMZ.

Vien has helped develop numerous energy, environmental, and economic policies and programs at the state, federal and local levels. She has advised on billions of dollars in public investments for energy and community development programs. She’s developed strong workforce standards for clean technology sectors, direct investments to ethnic and minority cleantech businesses, and create sustainable communities throughout California.

Vien co-led the coalition to pass and implement California’s law creating the biggest fund in history for the poorest and most polluted communities, which has since directed $5.3B from big polluters to the poorest and most polluted areas. A model that has been replicated in other states. She also co-led Charge Ahead California, a policy that accelerated the move to electric vehicles while ensuring that low income communities most impacted by pollution will benefit from zero tailpipe emissions.

Vien has received numerous congressional, state, regional and local awards for her work advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable to climate change. She received a White House Champion of Change award for her work on climate equity. She was nominated for the UCLA Emerging Environmental “Genius Prize.” Vien was featured in the SF Chronicle as one of San Francisco’s “Top Women Leaders.” She has been profiled in Forbes, Shondaland, Parent Magazine, and other major outlets. Both Van Jones’ Beyond the Messy Truth and Steve Philips’ Brown is the New White included profiles of Vien in their NYTimes Bestsellers for her work in creating historic policies.

Vien is a Board Member for the California Endowment and Ceres. She’s also a senior advisor for Elemental Excelerator. Vien was Chair of the City of Oakland’s Planning Commission, helping guide the growth and development of her hometown. She holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law.