Graham Pugh
Principal
Graham’s perspective on solving energy and climate challenges draws on nearly 30 years of diverse experience in the private, public, and philanthropic sectors. While working in the U.S. government, Graham managed two global partnerships focused on technologies and policies to address energy and climate challenges, engaging with energy leaders from around the world. He also led various analytical efforts that provided insight on technology pathways in support of climate goals. In the private sector, he managed targeted R&D programs and international cooperative efforts to develop critical new technologies for the semiconductor industry. These experiences were bookended by service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya and as deputy director of the Lemelson Foundation.
Since 2015, Graham has supported philanthropies and non-profits as a full-time consultant, either through solo practice or in partnership. Most recently, he partnered with Matt Jordan and several associates to develop the Clean Power Hub with funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). The Clean Power Hub’s approach to advancing the work of practitioners via an integrated suite of services, including an online community, was an innovative strategy that drew the interest of RMI, which subsequently acquired the Clean Power Hub and integrated it into the Energy Transition Academy.
From 2010 to 2014, Graham led the international climate change office in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including managing the Secretariat of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), an effort to share and support implementation of best practice policy measures to advance clean energy supply, energy efficiency, and energy access. In addition to managing the practicalities of this global effort, Graham led the substantive work on many of the CEM’s initiatives, leveraging both U.S. Government and philanthropic funding to contract with leading experts from national laboratories, NGOs, and academia. That work included: the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment initiative, focused on implementation or improvement of equipment and appliance efficiency programs; the 21st Century Power Partnership, focused on providing resources and technical support to increase understanding of the role of renewables, efficiency, and smart grids in the new utility business model; and the Global Lighting and Energy Access Program, focused on increasing access to clean, affordable energy solutions for the more than 1 billion people who don’t have it.
Graham’s leadership of the climate office was the culmination of ten years of federal service which included working on the climate negotiation team at the Department of State, leading international efforts to develop and commercialize hydrogen technology, helping to craft Obama Administration energy policy at the Council on Environmental Quality, and supporting deep bilateral energy cooperation between the U.S. and India, China, Mexico, South Africa, and other countries around the world.
Graham transitioned to government service after more than a decade supporting semiconductor manufacturing technology development efforts for Intel Corporation. Much of his work there was focused on international cooperation, serving as an assignee to two international consortia as well as working directly with global suppliers on technology development, including strategic investments. This background provided Graham with an in-depth understanding of corporate manufacturing, supply chains, and R&D strategies.
Graham’s government and private sector experience is bookended by roles in international development and philanthropy. Early in his career he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Kenya, and after leaving DOE he was deputy director of The Lemelson Foundation, which is focused on invention and entrepreneurship for social good.
After years of living all over the country and the world, Graham now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys that city’s focus on quality food, wine, craft beer and cocktails, not to mention sustainability and the environment. Graham holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics and electrical engineering, both from Cornell University.
Since 2015, Graham has supported philanthropies and non-profits as a full-time consultant, either through solo practice or in partnership. Most recently, he partnered with Matt Jordan and several associates to develop the Clean Power Hub with funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). The Clean Power Hub’s approach to advancing the work of practitioners via an integrated suite of services, including an online community, was an innovative strategy that drew the interest of RMI, which subsequently acquired the Clean Power Hub and integrated it into the Energy Transition Academy.
From 2010 to 2014, Graham led the international climate change office in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including managing the Secretariat of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), an effort to share and support implementation of best practice policy measures to advance clean energy supply, energy efficiency, and energy access. In addition to managing the practicalities of this global effort, Graham led the substantive work on many of the CEM’s initiatives, leveraging both U.S. Government and philanthropic funding to contract with leading experts from national laboratories, NGOs, and academia. That work included: the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment initiative, focused on implementation or improvement of equipment and appliance efficiency programs; the 21st Century Power Partnership, focused on providing resources and technical support to increase understanding of the role of renewables, efficiency, and smart grids in the new utility business model; and the Global Lighting and Energy Access Program, focused on increasing access to clean, affordable energy solutions for the more than 1 billion people who don’t have it.
Graham’s leadership of the climate office was the culmination of ten years of federal service which included working on the climate negotiation team at the Department of State, leading international efforts to develop and commercialize hydrogen technology, helping to craft Obama Administration energy policy at the Council on Environmental Quality, and supporting deep bilateral energy cooperation between the U.S. and India, China, Mexico, South Africa, and other countries around the world.
Graham transitioned to government service after more than a decade supporting semiconductor manufacturing technology development efforts for Intel Corporation. Much of his work there was focused on international cooperation, serving as an assignee to two international consortia as well as working directly with global suppliers on technology development, including strategic investments. This background provided Graham with an in-depth understanding of corporate manufacturing, supply chains, and R&D strategies.
Graham’s government and private sector experience is bookended by roles in international development and philanthropy. Early in his career he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Kenya, and after leaving DOE he was deputy director of The Lemelson Foundation, which is focused on invention and entrepreneurship for social good.
After years of living all over the country and the world, Graham now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys that city’s focus on quality food, wine, craft beer and cocktails, not to mention sustainability and the environment. Graham holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics and electrical engineering, both from Cornell University.