Lauren Faber O’Connor
Partner, Lowercarbon Capital
Lauren leads strategic partnerships at Lowercarbon Capital, one of the largest early-stage climate tech investment funds in the world. Prior to Lowercarbon, Lauren ran the climate agenda for the second largest city in America. As the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Los Angeles, Lauren developed and oversaw the green transition of over two dozen public agencies, including the largest municipal electric and water utility and busiest Port and Airport in the country. Over that time, L.A. took the #1 spot in solar capacity, water and building efficiency, EV charger availability, and public transportation infrastructure projects, and took the necessary steps to end oil drilling, protect residents from extreme heat, and democratize climate action. She oversaw the national network of mayors committed to climate leadership known as Climate Mayors and L.A.’s two-year Chairship of the international mayoral climate action organization, C40. She also co-taught a masters class at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Lauren has spent her career in environmental public service ranging from serving as Assistant Secretary for Climate Change at the California EPA under two Governors, to West Coast Political Director for the Environmental Defense Fund, to Senior Policy Advisor for climate and energy at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. Lauren serves on the Boards of California Environmental Voters, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems, and USC Center for Sustainability Solutions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Earth Systems and Economics from Stanford University, and Master’s degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University.
In 2023, Lauren was awarded Columbia University’s GSAS Dean’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, which recognizes profound impact on academia and the world at large. She has been recognized as 40 under 40 Public Utilities Fortnightly 2021 (just under the wire but who’s counting), 2019 LA Power Woman by Bisnow, and 2018 Climate Leader to Watch by E&E News.