Meet The Team

Board

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Ian Harrison, President & CEO

“An appropriate solution for climate change must assure that markets remain competitive and open so that companies can thrive.”

A life-long entrepreneur, Ian’s views are shaped by his experience founding a number of companies and his time as a partner at Deloitte London building financial control systems for global merchant banks.

Ian has served on numerous NGO boards including as chair of The Lucca Leadership Foundation, an international NGO delivering year long leadership training to some of the world's most promising leaders.

Olivia Melonas

Olivia is the Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive team for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a large grassroots climate focused NGO. She advises and oversees the financial management of Citizens’ Climate International. Aside from her work on the climate, Olivia has supported the men and women of Naval Special Warfare and their families for over a decade.  As the Special Boat Team 12 Family Readiness Group Founder and Treasurer, she channeled over $150,000 in funding from benevolent organizations to provide programming and support for deployed spouses' and family resilience.  She serves as a board member of The Unbattle Project supporting mental health initiatives for both active duty and veterans. She and her husband, a retired Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman (SWCC) are owners operators of Elite Maritime Services and San Diego Yacht Charters.

Sam MarSam develops and executes advocacy strategies that support Arnold Ventures' policy goals. Before the formation of Arnold Ventures, Sam was the CEO of Action Now Initiative, a political advocacy organization founded by Laura and John Arnold. Prior to entering the field of philanthropy, Sam held various positions globally in technology consulting, banking, asset management, private equity, and product innovation.Sam is a member of the advisory committee for the Electoral Reform Research Group at New America, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, and a member of the Board at ClearPath. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and IE Business School.

Sam Mar

Sam develops and executes advocacy strategies that support Arnold Ventures' policy goals. Before the formation of Arnold Ventures, Sam was the CEO of Action Now Initiative, a political advocacy organization founded by Laura and John Arnold. Prior to entering the field of philanthropy, Sam held various positions globally in technology consulting, banking, asset management, private equity, and product innovation.

Sam is a member of the advisory committee for the Electoral Reform Research Group at New America, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, and a member of the Board at ClearPath. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and IE Business School.

James Tolbert

“Effective and pragmatic legislation can mitigate our emissions while building American jobs, driving investment and growing our economy.”

Jim spent 28 years leading environmental cleanup projects for corporate clients while at AECOM prior to his focus on climate and energy policy. Prior to joining our board, Jim was the Conservative Outreach Director for Citizens’ Climate Lobby for 3 1/2 years. Jim previously served on the board of the Michigan Chemistry Council including six years as the President of the Board.


Twitter @JimTolbertNC

Peter Chargin

Peter Chargin is a go-to-market executive using his time to address climate change. Peter heads our Development efforts. 

Our Team

Jillian Wacker

Jillian is the Operations Manager for Bipartisan Climate Action. She oversees the operational functions of Bipartisan Climate Action, including finance and accounting, FEC compliance, outsourcing and vendor management, human resources, event planning and execution, administration, congressional staff communication, and IT and data management solutions. Jillian also manages an operational plan for the President and BCA board that includes an organizational structure, budget, and functional roles and responsibilities.

Prior to Bipartisan Climate Action, Jillian worked on the Hill in the House of Representatives and the Senate, becoming well-versed in legislative and constituent affairs. Additionally, she has expertise in political fundraising, campaigns, and PR management through a former position with a political consulting firm based in Virginia.

Chelsea Spence

Chelsea Spence is the Development Director for Bipartisan Climate Action. She is responsible for the enhancement and execution of our fundraising strategy. With over thirteen years of philanthropy and fundraising expertise and a Master's in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Philanthropy from the University of Denver, Chelsea has a knack for creating meaningful connections and leading successful campaigns.

Her work is characterized by a thoughtful blend of strategy and genuine commitment, driving significant advancements for the causes she supports. Chelsea's efforts go beyond traditional fundraising by engaging and uniting communities, showcasing her dedication to both professional development and impactful philanthropy.

David Levy

David is the Data Consultant for Bipartisan Climate Action. He assists in the execution of digital campaigns, website maintenance, and data management. As COO of Just Juniper Media, David specializes in digital applications and campaigns, CRM systems, and data analytics.

Stephanie Selgas

Stephanie is the Operations Associate for Bipartisan Climate Action. She supports IT, media, administration, and accounting functions. Stephanie works directly with Bipartisan Climate Action's Operations Manager and President, helping to improve the operations of the organization.