Drew Nelson

As the Vice-President of Programs, Policy, and Strategy at Project InnerSpace, Drew Nelson works to catalyze advanced geothermal to provide clean firm energy and industrial heat as well as zero-carbon solutions for heating and cooling buildings. 

Drew has over 20 years working on energy and climate issues, finding solutions that both reduce emissions and increase economic development. Most recently, Drew ran the climate and clean energy program at the Catena Foundation. Before that Drew served as the clean energy program officer at the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation. 

Before working in Philanthropy Drew ran Environmental Defense Fund’s international efforts to work with governments and companies to cost-effectively reduce global methane emissions from natural gas production, distribution, and use. Prior to EDF, Drew worked for the U.S. Department of State on international climate negotiations. Drew also worked at the EPA in the Office of Air and Radiation.

Drew holds a joint master’s degree in policy and Latin American studies from the University of Texas, with a concentration in environmental policy and is based in Austin, Texas.