Vien Truong is one of the country’s foremost policy experts and strategists on building an equitable green economy. She has advised lawmakers, universities, foundations, companies and organizations on developing an inclusive workforce, creating sustainable economies, and equitable environmental policies. She leads Nike’s Global Sustainability Engagement efforts - working with stakeholders globally to drive sustainability goals. She previously worked on the Biden/Harris campaign supporting the climate surrogate strategy. She’s also staffed the CA Governor’s Task Force on COVID Recovery efforts on climate solutions. Previously, she served as Senior Advisor on Climate Justice for Tom Steyer for President. 

Vien has 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, transportation, 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 California Climate Investments. A model that has been built on in other states and nationally. She also co-led Charge Ahead California, a policy that accelerated the move to electric cars, buses, and medium and heavy duty vehicles - while ensuring that frontline communities are centered in the policy. 

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 of Vien in their NYTimes Bestsellers for her work in creating historic policies.

Vien is a Board Member for the California Endowment and Ceres. Vien was Chair 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.