Doreen Wong, Ocean & Climate Innovation, Hawaii
Doreen Wong is currently the Associate Director of Ecopreneurship and Investments at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and an investor with their affiliated venture capital fund, Seabird Ventures. Doreen will soon be pursuing new ocean and climate innovation projects. Stay tuned for more by following her journey.
Why is clean energy important to you? Clean energy holds significant importance for me. One of my first climate and sustainability professional experiences was supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office with developing their $18M Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV (SHINES) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). This FOA unlocked funding for projects, demonstrating the interoperability of solar PV projects and energy storage. While supporting this FOA, I became familiar with how clean energy not only positively impacts our environment, but also provides social and economic benefits.
Furthermore, clean energy is imperative to me for these compelling reasons:
Environmental Benefits: Clean energy sources, like solar and wind, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They mitigate the impacts of climate change and enable communities to access cleaner air, water, and food systems. This is paramount for the wellbeing of our planet and ensuring a sustainable future for our next generation.
Equity and Social Justice: Access to clean energy addresses historical environmental injustices that are often felt by those from traditionally excluded backgrounds. Clean energy provides more equitable access to sustainable living conditions, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location.
Economic Empowerment: Clean energy offers diverse employment and educational opportunities. These include roles from project management to technology development and legal writing of performance contracts, enabling pathways out of poverty and contributing to more inclusive, sustained economical, and educational growth for communities.
Personal Experiences: I have lived in different parts of the world in my lifetime. While growing up, I used to spend my summers in China for my father’s job and to be closer to family in Hong Kong. Living in China exposed me, firsthand, to the impacts of the manufacturing industry on people's daily lives. Because many manufacturing facilities are dependent on traditional energy sources, I observed how they negatively affected the quality of the air and water for local communities. Later in my life, when I traveled to South Africa and Latin America, my visits to these geographic regions further reinforced the potential of clean energy as a sustainable solution for communities. I strongly believe that everyone deserves the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. I have seen firsthand how clean energy education and jobs can transform lives, particularly in the Global South. I am committed to supporting these communities and passing along this knowledge to help empower our future generations.
What’s your proudest accomplishment in clean energy? My proudest accomplishments in clean energy have been contributing to key federal and international policies and initiatives, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s $18M Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV (SHINES) Funding Opportunity Announcement, the Global Climate Deal for International Aviation on adopting a global market-based measure to reduce carbon emissions, and the research and analysis behind the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
One of the key priorities that I would like to still accomplish in climate is how we can empower our next generation of climate leaders. People from traditionally excluded backgrounds continue to be overlooked and often have limited to no access to resources to help them transition to more sustainable living conditions. Based on where I am at with my career today, I strive to improve access to capital and resources for underserved communities.
What did you do prior to working in clean energy? Prior to work in ocean and climate innovation, I was a Technology Scout for a corporate venture arm and an impact investor with Alumni Ventures and Republic. My formative career experiences were shaped by my professional experiences with the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative and in climate and sustainability consulting at a management consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton. One of my transformational experiences was the opportunity to intern for an boutique environmental engineering consulting firm in Indianapolis, Indiana — there, I learned more about the environmental and social impact of the automobile and manufacturing industries on the local communities and their access to clean air and water.
How did you first get introduced to clean energy? I was first introduced to the climate industry when I was in high school, participating in the Environmental Club. At the time, it wasn’t quite labeled as “climate” work; however, we learned and discussed a lot about the impact of different clean energy technologies on the environment.
What does your job mean to you and your community? It is pivotal for me to help support those who may not have the opportunities, resources, or means to address climate change. My mission is to help empower people and their communities to unlock their potential in tackling climate change and improving our ocean’s health.
How is clean energy helping your community / state? In my personal experience, living in Hawai’i and previously in California, I have witnessed the transformative impact of clean energy on communities. Both regions have faced extreme weather and climate events, including wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding, which have caused significant disruptions to people’s lives. Clean energy has emerged as a vital solution, providing a source of stability and independence from traditional energy sources.
For example, during the Maui wildfires last August, clean energy and backup generators powered by clean energy played a crucial role in supporting communities that lost power as a result of the fires. Similarly, during the wildfire seasons in California, I noticed how clean energy has allowed my family, friends, and neighbors to maintain access to electricity and water during periods of utilities’ blackout periods. Clean energy sources ensure the continuity of electricity and water supply to impacted communities.
Beyond these examples, I recognize the profound, long-term potential of clean energy. In both California and Hawai’i, the adoption of clean energy has demonstrated its capacity to foster better living conditions for communities. Moreover, I have noticed a significant growth in interest in clean energy education since I have been working in this space for over a decade. By enhancing our knowledge and awareness on clean energy, future generations can embrace a healthier and more sustainable future.
Why do you think clean energy provides the jobs of the future? Clean energy can offer a lifeline for those who were born and/or raised in environments where their choices are limited. By providing individuals at a younger age with potential job opportunities in clean energy, we can enable them to learn more about the potential of clean energy earlier on in their lives and inform them on how clean energy can provide access to clean air, water, and food systems in their everyday lives. As society continues to navigate the evolving climate landscape, clean energy jobs will empower future generations to learn, adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Why should congress invest in clean energy jobs? Congress plays a pivotal role in driving policy changes that can significantly impact the clean energy sector. By supporting clean energy and investing in clean energy jobs, Congress can help provide policy changes that enable economic growth and transition towards a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally friendly future for the U.S. and the world. About eight years ago, the U.S. fell somewhat behind in supporting clean energy and investing in clean energy jobs. However, we’ve seen the U.S. make significant strides over the past several years. As other countries continue to look to the United States for their leadership on climate change, Congress can help inspire and encourage other governments to support the clean energy transition and fund more clean energy initiatives for communities’ economic growth and development.
