Chris Wheat

Director of Strategy and City Engagement for the American Cities Climate Challenge, Chris Wheat will moderate the Climate Action Workshop of Summit Session 3 on October 23, at 10:45am central time.

Chris Wheat is Director of Strategy and City Engagement for the American Cities Climate Challenge at the Natural Resources Defense Council, part of the Healthy People & Thriving Communities program. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Climate Challenge works to accelerate climate policies and programs in twenty-five cities around the U.S.

Chris joined NRDC after spending seven years in the Office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Chris held several positions in the Emanuel Administration, including Director of the Mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer, and most recently the Mayor’s Chief of Policy.

Chris started his career in finance and management consulting. Chris sits on the Board of Directors of Chicago Debates, the Advisory Council of the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, and the Chicago Development Commission.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Chris holds a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.