Jon van Gelder

Executive Director of Grounded.org

Jon van Gelder has been at the forefront of transforming Grounded.org into a unifying force in the fight against climate change. As the Executive Director, he leads the organization's strategy to merge philanthropy with cultural strategies to accelerate climate solutions with bipartisan audiences. Under his leadership as the organization's first Global Head of Impact, Grounded.org led the Clean Energy Freedom campaign in 2022, earning support from major artists like Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans. The campaign played a key role in persuading President Biden to ramp up U.S. clean energy production in defense of national security following Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. Since taking the helm in 2024, Jon’s mandate has evolved to include helping other nonprofits and philanthropic organizations use cultural influence to spark major change. Together, Grounded's partners and grantees have united to save 185 endangered fin whales in Iceland with Jason Momoa, help Amazonian youth thwart anti-Indigenous legislation with Billie Eilish, Jaden Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio, and win stronger global biodiversity targets with support from Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank. With 14 years of experience in social impact and communications for major brands, artists, and nonprofits including MTV, Universal Music, Bruce Springsteen, and New York Public Radio, Jon's knack for blending cultural engagement with advocacy has made him an emerging force of nature in next-gen climate philanthropy.