Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager

Benjamin Smith

Seattle,WA

Summary

Seasoned campaign strategist, organizer and coalition-builder with 20 + years of experience driving groundbreaking climate and social justice initiatives by building partnerships between workers, labor unions, environmental organizations, and community groups. Recognized for driving ambitious campaigns that align diverse interests into state and national strategy that shape public narratives. Strong reputation for forging durable trust-based relationships across sectors, including with high-level elected leadership and executive staff in labor unions and federations, translating bold vision into concrete legislative, cultural, and movement wins.

Work History

Senior Strategic Partnerships Advisor / Senior Climate Campaigner

Greenpeace USA
  • Co-directed labor–climate strategy behind precedent-setting California laws phasing out oil and gas drilling near homes and schools.
  • Organized a 15-organization environmental coalition in solidarity with the United Steelworkers of America (USW), helping pass refinery worker transition bill SB 513.
  • Catalyzed union–environment alignment to pass AB 421, by directing field organizing and communications staff, ultimately protecting climate laws from corporate rollbacks.
  • During major UAW and USW strikes, designed narrative strategy and visibility actions that earned national press and countered corporate “jobs vs. environment” narratives.
  • Co-led outreach securing seven international union endorsements for the THRIVE Act, the blueprint for President Biden’s federal climate investment laws (IRA & IIJA).
  • Forged multi-year partnership with United Domestic Workers, including producing multiple customized political education workshops for union members on environmental justice and co-developing fundraising proposals to expand their EJ organizing capacity.
  • Led labor engagement strategy to combat a major SLAPP lawsuit, securing 17 union signatories on a labor-only letter defending Greenpeace’s right to free speech.
  • Served as spokesperson and authored content for Greenpeace executive leadership, with published work in Fast Company, Capitol Weekly, and communications on COP26.

Greenpeace USA and CALPIRG/Fund for Public Interest
  • Led field campaigns defeating coal export projects, directed national volunteer leadership programs, and helped pass landmark California climate legislation (AB 32, Million Solar Roofs).

Education

B.A. - English

Tufts University

undefined

IDEO.org Human-Centered Design

undefined

Center for Story-Based Strategy Advanced Intensive

undefined

National Labor Leadership Initiative (Cornell ILR / AFL-CIO)
01.2022

Skills

  • Strategic Campaign Leadership
  • Labor–Climate Partnerships
  • Coalition Building
  • Legislative & Policy Strategy
  • Narrative Strategy
  • Program & Team Management
  • Trust-Based Relationship Building

Timeline

Senior Strategic Partnerships Advisor / Senior Climate Campaigner

Greenpeace USA

Greenpeace USA and CALPIRG/Fund for Public Interest

B.A. - English

Tufts University

undefined

IDEO.org Human-Centered Design

undefined

Center for Story-Based Strategy Advanced Intensive

undefined

National Labor Leadership Initiative (Cornell ILR / AFL-CIO)
Benjamin Smith