Kate Gordon has spent the past two decades working at the intersection of climate change, energy policy, and equitable economic development. Most recently, Gordon served as Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, where she led a variety of place-based initiatives to help drive a more sustainable and resilient energy transition, including creating the agency’s “Community Benefits Plan” requirement for funding applicants. Gordon continues to serve on the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board (SEAB). Prior to her time in the Biden-Harris administration, Gordon served for several years in California state government as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Senior Climate Policy Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. In this role, Gordon launched or led several initiatives to better integrate climate and economic development strategy across the state.
Before entering public service, Gordon served in senior leadership positions at several nonpartisan think tanks including the Henry M. Paulson Institute, the Center for the Next Generation, the Center for American Progress, and the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. Gordon got her start on energy and climate issues working at the national Apollo Alliance, where she ultimately served as co-Executive Director until the merger with the Blue-Green Alliance in 2011.
Gordon earned a J.D. and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of California-Berkeley, and an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University.