Alexandra Wang
Director of Programs at Climate Breakthrough- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Winifred Olliff
Alex is an extremely capable program officer and project manager, who flawlessly handles day to day tasks, even in a world of complexity. Far beyond this, she is able to understand the complex challenges of our environment and rise to meet these challenges through strategic problem-solving. In her problem-solving she always has an eye to the future, and strives to find solutions that are sustainable as well as effective in the moment, even while working under pressure. Alex joined our team to take the helm of our most complex and challenging grants program. She absorbed our movement's complex culture and norms right away, and embraced the new technologies and unique challenges she encountered from day one. Alex is an unusually clear thinker and a strong communicator. She is able to maintain a cool head with clear thoughts even when there are storms around her. At the same time, her clarity of thought does not have a sharp edge. Kindness and compassion permeate her daily work with volunteers, and her interactions with others. We are so lucky to have Alex on our team!
Jessica Leas
Alexandra and I worked together to build a new organization in India, which was frankly a daunting task with which to begin. Alexandra not only did an incredible job putting systems in place and hiring excellent people, but she did so with a great sense of humor. After seeing her in action in India, I feel great confidence in recommending her for anything. She is a true professional who consistently produces amazing work. And she is a wonderful person with which to work.
Winifred Olliff
Alex is an extremely capable program officer and project manager, who flawlessly handles day to day tasks, even in a world of complexity. Far beyond this, she is able to understand the complex challenges of our environment and rise to meet these challenges through strategic problem-solving. In her problem-solving she always has an eye to the future, and strives to find solutions that are sustainable as well as effective in the moment, even while working under pressure. Alex joined our team to take the helm of our most complex and challenging grants program. She absorbed our movement's complex culture and norms right away, and embraced the new technologies and unique challenges she encountered from day one. Alex is an unusually clear thinker and a strong communicator. She is able to maintain a cool head with clear thoughts even when there are storms around her. At the same time, her clarity of thought does not have a sharp edge. Kindness and compassion permeate her daily work with volunteers, and her interactions with others. We are so lucky to have Alex on our team!
Jessica Leas
Alexandra and I worked together to build a new organization in India, which was frankly a daunting task with which to begin. Alexandra not only did an incredible job putting systems in place and hiring excellent people, but she did so with a great sense of humor. After seeing her in action in India, I feel great confidence in recommending her for anything. She is a true professional who consistently produces amazing work. And she is a wonderful person with which to work.
Winifred Olliff
Alex is an extremely capable program officer and project manager, who flawlessly handles day to day tasks, even in a world of complexity. Far beyond this, she is able to understand the complex challenges of our environment and rise to meet these challenges through strategic problem-solving. In her problem-solving she always has an eye to the future, and strives to find solutions that are sustainable as well as effective in the moment, even while working under pressure. Alex joined our team to take the helm of our most complex and challenging grants program. She absorbed our movement's complex culture and norms right away, and embraced the new technologies and unique challenges she encountered from day one. Alex is an unusually clear thinker and a strong communicator. She is able to maintain a cool head with clear thoughts even when there are storms around her. At the same time, her clarity of thought does not have a sharp edge. Kindness and compassion permeate her daily work with volunteers, and her interactions with others. We are so lucky to have Alex on our team!
Jessica Leas
Alexandra and I worked together to build a new organization in India, which was frankly a daunting task with which to begin. Alexandra not only did an incredible job putting systems in place and hiring excellent people, but she did so with a great sense of humor. After seeing her in action in India, I feel great confidence in recommending her for anything. She is a true professional who consistently produces amazing work. And she is a wonderful person with which to work.
Winifred Olliff
Alex is an extremely capable program officer and project manager, who flawlessly handles day to day tasks, even in a world of complexity. Far beyond this, she is able to understand the complex challenges of our environment and rise to meet these challenges through strategic problem-solving. In her problem-solving she always has an eye to the future, and strives to find solutions that are sustainable as well as effective in the moment, even while working under pressure. Alex joined our team to take the helm of our most complex and challenging grants program. She absorbed our movement's complex culture and norms right away, and embraced the new technologies and unique challenges she encountered from day one. Alex is an unusually clear thinker and a strong communicator. She is able to maintain a cool head with clear thoughts even when there are storms around her. At the same time, her clarity of thought does not have a sharp edge. Kindness and compassion permeate her daily work with volunteers, and her interactions with others. We are so lucky to have Alex on our team!
Jessica Leas
Alexandra and I worked together to build a new organization in India, which was frankly a daunting task with which to begin. Alexandra not only did an incredible job putting systems in place and hiring excellent people, but she did so with a great sense of humor. After seeing her in action in India, I feel great confidence in recommending her for anything. She is a true professional who consistently produces amazing work. And she is a wonderful person with which to work.
Experience
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Climate Breakthrough
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United States
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Philanthropic Fundraising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Programs
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Jun 2023 - Present
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Portfolio Manager
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Oct 2020 - Jun 2023
Strategic consulting, portfolio management, and coaching for the Climate Breakthrough, an innovative multi-funder initiative to identify, support, and unleash innovative leaders with transformative climate mitigation strategies. Currently supporting awardees across East and Southeast Asia, Europe, South and North America.
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GirlVentures
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United States
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Wellness and Fitness Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Board Member
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Jun 2023 - Present
Member of the Board and Governance Committee. GirlVentures combines outdoor adventure with social emotional learning for adolescent girls, at a critical time in their lives. Our programs nurture girls’ self-esteem, resilience, and leadership skills, catalyzing their development as empathetic, confident conservationists and allies. Member of the Board and Governance Committee. GirlVentures combines outdoor adventure with social emotional learning for adolescent girls, at a critical time in their lives. Our programs nurture girls’ self-esteem, resilience, and leadership skills, catalyzing their development as empathetic, confident conservationists and allies.
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Wikimedia Foundation
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United States
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Software Development
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500 - 600 Employee
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Director of Grantmaking / Community Resources (Interim)
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Jun 2019 - Oct 2020
* Served as Interim Director for 8 months, managing $8 million budget and overseeing over 400 grants to 80 countries. Led an 8-person team of grantmakers, grant administrators, event organizers, and contractors.
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Lead Program Officer, Team Manager
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Mar 2016 - Jun 2019
* Led a motivated international team of 5 Program Officers and contractors managing $2.5 million in microgrants, technical grants, and event grants aimed at growing Wikipedia's global network of organizers and digital activists. * Directed new program on addressing the gender gap, including guiding research, advising new project development, and organizing community trainings, resulting in a 1,050% increase in grants supporting gender equity. * Served as thought-partner to Program Officers and grantees on strategy and organizational development, supporting the growth of our network from 40 organizations to nearly 200 partners. Show less
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Program Officer, Project & Event Grants
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Jan 2014 - Feb 2016
* Managed participatory grants program with an annual portfolio of over 60 grants to individuals and organizations in over 20 countries, supporting the diversification of content and contributors in over 25 language Wikipedias. * Created and led a new rapid small grants program to support the inclusion and growth of marginalized communities in the Wikimedia movement.
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California Environmental Associates
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United States
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Individual and Family Services
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Program Development Consultant
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Feb 2013 - Apr 2013
Organized research trip to China on behalf of the Packard Foundation for program development scoping. Organized research trip to China on behalf of the Packard Foundation for program development scoping.
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ClimateWorks Foundation
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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100 - 200 Employee
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Consultant
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2009 - Mar 2012
Supported the expansion of the ClimateWorks network by launching the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and the Global Buildings Performance Network. Supported the expansion of the ClimateWorks network by launching the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and the Global Buildings Performance Network.
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Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN)
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France
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Public Policy Offices
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1 - 100 Employee
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Organizational Design and Grantmaking Consultant
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Apr 2011 - Feb 2012
Project managed the start-up of a global network focused on best practices in buildings energy efficiency with work in China, India, the US and Europe. Established new legal entity, coordinated regional planning and reporting to funders, oversaw recruitment and training of global center staff, coordinated development and implementation of communications strategy. Project managed the start-up of a global network focused on best practices in buildings energy efficiency with work in China, India, the US and Europe. Established new legal entity, coordinated regional planning and reporting to funders, oversaw recruitment and training of global center staff, coordinated development and implementation of communications strategy.
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Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation
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India
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Public Policy Offices
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1 - 100 Employee
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Organizational Design and Grantmaking Consultant
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Jun 2009 - Jan 2011
Developed launch plan and operations structure for a new foundation in India, including financial, governance, grantmaking, and HR systems. Worked with Director of Operations to ensure proposed processes and systems fit within the Indian context. Managed the build out of organizational procedures and built strategic grantmaking capacity. Developed launch plan and operations structure for a new foundation in India, including financial, governance, grantmaking, and HR systems. Worked with Director of Operations to ensure proposed processes and systems fit within the Indian context. Managed the build out of organizational procedures and built strategic grantmaking capacity.
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Energy Foundation China
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China
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Strategy Consultant
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Oct 2009 - Jul 2010
Engaged in program evaluation, strategic planning, and increasing operational effectiveness. Consulted for the China Sustainable Transportation Center on issues of organizational design, governance, management, and HR. Engaged in program evaluation, strategic planning, and increasing operational effectiveness. Consulted for the China Sustainable Transportation Center on issues of organizational design, governance, management, and HR.
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Program Manager
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Aug 2007 - Nov 2008
Managed operations and strategic development for programs in eight sectors: renewable energy, electric utilities, industry, buildings, transportation, environmental management, urban planning, and low-carbon development planning. Executed growth strategy as program budget increased from $8 million to $26 million in three years.
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Program Associate
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Aug 2005 - Aug 2007
Co-developed new Sustainable Cities Program and helped secure $35 million of new funding. Coordinated the Beijing office and supported the program in communications, research, and grant writing.
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Watson Foundation
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Thomas J. Watson Fellow
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Aug 2003 - Aug 2004
Researched the political, economic, and social relationships with folk music traditions along the Silk Road in Mongolia, China, India, and Turkey. Worked with nonprofits to increase youth participation in preserving musical traditions while studying how to play indigenous instruments. Interned at the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Researched the political, economic, and social relationships with folk music traditions along the Silk Road in Mongolia, China, India, and Turkey. Worked with nonprofits to increase youth participation in preserving musical traditions while studying how to play indigenous instruments. Interned at the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Education
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The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Nanjing Center Graduate Certificate, Political Science, Economics, Chinese -
Middlebury College
B.A., cum laude, International Environmental Policy, Chinese -
Harbin Institute of Technology
Mandarin Language Immersion Certificate, Chinese Language and Literature -
New Trier High School District
High School Diploma
Community
