The Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT) has selected Tom Light as its first President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 20, 2022. Light brings over a decade of experience in the climate action sector, most recently as the Executive Director of the Arctic Ice Project, a Silicon Valley scientific research organization that aims to restore ice to the Arctic, and prior to that as the Managing Director of WaterEquity, the first impact investment fund with an exclusive focus on climate change adaptation solutions for the global water crisis. In addition to his chief executive roles, he brings nearly 20 years of experience in the investment management and non-profit sector.
"We have conducted an extensive search for a CEO with the expertise and ability to effectively lead ACT," reports Michael Deimler, member of the Founders' Board. "With his exceptional track record of scaling and leading technical climate & sustainability organizations, we believe Tom is the ideal CEO to tackle emerging technologies and accelerate breakthrough innovations that will help the aviation sector reduce CO2 emissions."
"I am honored to join ACT and eager to work closely with the Board and members of the aviation community as we advance breakthrough solutions to decarbonize aviation," said Light. "I look forward to accelerating the development of high potential, medium-term technologies such as power-to-liquid synthetic and direct air capture to help the sector achieve net-zero emissions."
Light's prior experiences also include executive level positions at UBS Investment Bank, and as the senior leader responsible for the impact investment strategy at the Grameen Foundation where he served first as a fund manager and later as the Head of the Capital Management & Advisory Center.
He received his BA with honors from the University of Michigan in Quantitative Economics, holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.