Chris Wheat

Biography

Chris Wheat has more than a decade of experience in environmental policy and politics.  Chris is Managing Director for Policy and Government Affairs at the Sustainable Cities Fund. The Fund works with donors to support and enable equitable climate action at the local level. Through strategic grant-making, it focuses on building the civic power of cities and communities, working together to implement ambitious, equitable climate solutions. The Fund also leverages and aligns state, federal, and international resources alongside cross-sector engagement to enable and amplify local progress.

Chris joined the Fund from the Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State at Chicago Booth, where he served as Executive Director. Previously, Chris directed strategy and city engagement for the American Cities Climate Challenge at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Chris also spent seven years in various roles in the Office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, including Chief of Policy and Chief Sustainability Officer. Chris is on the Board of Directors at the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the National Advisory Council of the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Chris holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Academic Areas

• Strategy and Leadership