Vien Truong is one of the country’s foremost policy experts and strategists on building an equitable green economy. Her firm, Truong & Associates, advises lawmakers, universities, and organizations globally on developing an inclusive workforce, creating sustainable economies, and equitable environmental policies.

Vien served as the President/CEO of the Dream Corps, which brings people together to solve America’s problems by backing initiatives that close prison doors and open doors of opportunity for all. Under her leadership, the Dream Corps’ team (#cut50, Green For All, YesWeCode, and LoveArmy) passed historic policies in criminal justice, climate justice, and created nationally recognized programs to increase tech diversity. Her team worked regularly with leaders to move the country forward, from influencers like Kim Kardashian to Flint moms, from Wall Street investors to White House insiders. Under her leadership, her team’s work was covered from NY Times, CNN, Fox News, TechCrunch to TMZ.

Vien has helped develop numerous energy, environmental, and economic policies and programs at the state, federal and local levels. She has advised on billions of dollars in public investments for energy and community development programs. She’s developed strong workforce standards for clean technology sectors, direct investments to ethnic and minority cleantech businesses, and create sustainable communities throughout California.

Vien co-led the coalition to pass and implement California’s law creating the biggest fund in history for the poorest and most polluted communities. It has invested over $1.5B in disadvantaged communities most harmed by fossil fuel pollution. A model that has been replicated in other states. She also co-led Charge Ahead California, a policy that accelerated the move to electric vehicles while ensuring that low-income communities most impacted by pollution will benefit from zero tailpipe emissions.

Vien has received numerous congressional, state, regional and local awards for her work advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable to climate change. She received a White House Champion of Change award for her work on climate equity. She was nominated for the UCLA Emerging Environmental “Genius Prize.” Vien was featured in the SF Chronicle as one of San Francisco’s “Top Women Leaders.” She has been profiled in Forbes, Shondaland, Parent Magazine, and other major outlets. Both Van Jones’ Beyond the Messy Truth and Steve Philips’ Brown is the New White included profiles Vien in their NYTimes Bestsellers for her work in creating historic policies.

Vien is a Board Member for the California Endowment. She is an Advisory member for the Elemental Excelerator, NextGen Consortium, and VERGE Energy. Vien was Chair of the City of Oakland’s Planning Commission, helping guide the growth and development of her hometown.

She holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law.

AWARDS & HONORS

• White House Champion of Change for Climate Equity. 2016
• California League of Conservation Voters. “Environmental Leadership Award” 2016
• “Power Shifter” on the Grist 50. 2016
• Yerba Buena Center Arts 100. 2016
• Transform. “Leadership, Innovation, Vision, Equity” Award 2015
• California Legislature. Senator Mark Leno. Certificate of Recognition. 2016.
• California Legislature. Assemblymember Phil Ting. Certificate of Recognition. 2016.
• California Legislature. Assemblymember David Chiu. Certificate of Recognition. 2016.
• San Francisco Chronicle, Top Women Leaders of San Francisco. 2013.
• California Legislature. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. Certificate of Recognition. 2010.
• California Legislature. Assemblyman Sandré Swanson. Certificate of Recognition. 2009.
• California Legislature. Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi. Certificate of Recognition. 2009.
• Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Calif., “Proclamation: NBC Workers Day.” May 29, 2009.
• Congress. Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 2008.
• Congress. Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. 2008.
• Congress. Certificate of Congressional Recognition. Congresswoman Jackie Spier. 2008.
• California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen. The Great Seal. 2008.
• City & County of San Francisco. Certificate of Honor. San Francisco Board of Supervisors. 2008.

APPOINTMENTS, COMMISSIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS

• State of California, California Freight Advisory Committee (2013 – 2015)
• City of Oakland, Planning Commission (2009 – 2013)
• American Planning Association Planning Officials Committee (2012 – 2013)
• City of Oakland, Fund for Children & Youth, Planning & Oversight Committee (2008 – 2009)  
• Full Circle Fund, Environmental Program Community Fellow  (2009 – 2011)
• Boards and Commission Leadership Institute.  Urban Habit. Class of 2009
• California Democratic Party Delegate, Senator Loni Hancock Appointee (2008 –2010)
• Board member, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (2009 – 2010)  
• Board member / Co-Chair of Membership, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance  (2008 – 2010)
• Emerge California. Class of 2008 

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

• Board member, U.S. Climate Action Network (2015 – Present)
• Board member, Clean Energy Works (2016 – Present)
• Board member, MegaPhone Strategies (2016 – Present) 
• Board member, The California Endowment (2019- Present)

 Photo above by Hardy Wilson and courtesy of Bioneers.