Press Release: Justice Climate Fund Finalizes Executive Team and Builds Momentum for Its Clean Energy Financing Program Rollout

Seasoned Professionals Bring Expertise in Impact Investment, Community Development, and Operational Support

(Washington, DC/November 13, 2024) — The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) today announced the finalization of its executive team with the appointments of Theresa Bedeau, Renay Carver, Ph.D., and Brenda Loya to key leadership positions. The strategic additions build momentum for the forthcoming rollout of the JCF Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).

Bedeau is JCF’s Chief Engagement & Strategy Officer, leveraging more than two decades of demonstrated experience in building inclusive partnerships and financial solutions. Carver serves as Chief Compliance & Reporting Officer, leveraging over 20 years of strategic leadership, regulatory knowledge, and operational expertise from past positions at firms focused on ESG and sustainability initiatives, large financial institutions, and federally funded organizations. Loya is JCF’s Chief Financial & Operating Officer, bringing more than 25 years of experience in strategic partnerships, management consulting, community development finance, and banking.

“It’s exciting to see JCF’s growth at such a pivotal moment,” said JCF CEO Amir Kirkwood. “Theresa, Renay, and Brenda bring the talent, experience, and leadership needed to drive the rollout of CCIA capital to our network of community lenders and ensure impactful change where it’s needed most.”

Shiva Patel has also joined JCF as Managing Director of CCIA Programs. Patel brings over 10 years of program leadership experience working with organizations committed to systemic and economic transformation, focusing on technical assistance and catalytic funding benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities.

“With our strong team of seasoned professionals, we look forward to financing clean energy projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, create jobs, and strengthen the resilience of local economies nationwide,” concluded Kirkwood.

JCF is a purpose-built nonprofit, providing the capital and technical knowledge necessary for its network of community lenders to successfully finance clean energy projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the country. JCF’s network of partners serves all 50 states and reaches more than 117 million Americans, including over 58 million low-income and disadvantaged individuals. The clean energy projects JCF will fund with its $940 million CCIA award will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver healthier air, greener transportation, cleaner water, better-paying jobs, and greater generational wealth to historically under-resourced communities.

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The Justice Climate Fund (JCF), founded by the Community Builders of Color Coalition, is a purpose-built nonprofit created by experienced mission-driven lenders and climate equity leaders that represent Black, Latino/a, Asian, and indigenous organizations. JCF anchors and empowers a diverse coalition of community lenders to more quickly, efficiently, and successfully deploy affordable, accessible financial assistance to enable families, communities, and businesses in low-income and disadvantaged areas to save money while investing in a greener and safer future. JCF is committed to meeting or exceeding GGRF objectives and to driving responsible, impact-driven finance at scale nationwide.

Press Contact: press@justiceclimatefund.org