Rolling Up Sleeves: The New York Climate Exchange's Victoria Cerullo on Transforming Systems for Healthier and Thriving Communities
Victoria by Craig Warga.
By Julia Gamolina
Victoria Cerullo is Director of Urban Engagement at the New York Climate Exchange. Victoria most recently served in roles across New York City government as Senior Advisor to the First Deputy Mayor, Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. She began her career in the Bloomberg Administration, first as a Director in the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit, Legislative Representative in the Office of City Legislative Affairs, and Chief of Staff to the NYC Parks Commissioner.
Victoria was also part of a team assembled by Mayor Bloomberg to manage Superstorm Sandy recovery. Her roles in philanthropy and the private sector have spanned sustainability, news, financial products, operations, and government innovation. Victoria received her MPA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
JG: You recently became the Director for Urban Engagement at The New York Climate Exchange — such an important role and focus in this time. What are some of your most ambitious visions for climate solutions in New York City? What should all of us be paying attention to and focusing on in this coming year?
VC: Climate change and environmental justice are major challenges, not just in New York City, but globally. In the coming year, I’d keep an eye on cities and urban areas to see solutions in action, informed by residents who know their communities best. Local leaders and the communities they represent are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Ambitious vision to me looks like these leaders staying committed to community-driven climate action, supported by tools that can increase speed and scale. Ambitious vision looks like researchers and practitioners together from all sectors from finance to tech to healthcare to design, to work in new ways, with transparency, to transform systems that have historically exacerbated the impacts of climate change, particularly on our most vulnerable populations across the globe. This is what we hope to accomplish at The New York Climate Exchange, with a transparency and openness, reflected even in our building design and location in a public open space.
Right now the is a lot of attention on U.S. climate policy and The New York Climate Exchange is proud to be a part of a coalition called America Is All In, which brings together the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States — from U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and institutions of faith, health, and culture. Multi-city and sector collaborations like this are powerful, and I’m excited to contribute to this effort in my role here at The Exchange.
Corporate volunteer event on Governor’s Island with Bloomberg LP.
Now let's go back a little bit — you studied English and Economics and then went for a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Policy. Tell me the thinking behind both degrees and what you were hoping to do in the world.
I’ve always been an avid reader and carried around stacks of books with me wherever I went, so studying English literature felt natural. I also had an interest in current events and political science and wanted to understand how government worked. Studying economics was a good balance in that it helped me understand fiscal policy and resource management. I spent some time writing poetry in those classes to help me make sense of the concepts. Maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about the power of the arts, particularly to drive climate action!
While working in the private sector, I went back to school, taking classes at night and on the weekends at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs for a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management. At the time, I was working in a financial products role and was curious about global markets, sustainable finance, sustainable operations and practical applications of these concepts. I gained a lot of useful knowledge and had the opportunity to learn from global leaders across sectors, which helped me when I joined the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, working directly on these issues at the local level.
“Whether it was working in community affairs, legislative affairs, corporate philanthropy, financial products, or government innovation, I always felt encouraged to start with the data, try new things, not be afraid to share out-of-the-box ideas, and always be ambitious.”
You had a significant tenure with both Bloomberg LP and with Bloomberg Philanthropies, have worked for the parks department, for the mayor's office...what lessons do you take away from the various positions you've held before joining the Climate Exchange?
Working in the Bloomberg Administration at New York City Hall in my early 20’s was transformational. Under Mike and First Deputy Mayor, Patti Harris’ leadership there was an unwavering commitment to customer service, teamwork, strong data, design excellence, and a feeling that we could do big things and surmount the largest challenges, together.
I have a t-shirt from my time at Bloomberg Philanthropies with a “Never afraid to fail” quote emblazoned across the back. I have brought that spirit with me to every role. Whether it was working in community affairs, legislative affairs, corporate philanthropy, financial products, or government innovation, I always felt encouraged to start with the data, try new things, not be afraid to share out-of-the-box ideas, and always be ambitious. Developing data-informed approaches in collaboration with community is key to innovation, which is also true of our model at The New York Climate Exchange.
Ribbon cutting of a Trust for Public Land climate resilient schoolyard to playground in Chelsea, designed by students.
How did joining The Exchange come about for you? What did you want to do differently?
The Bloomberg team created public access, leveraged public art to attract visitors, opened The Harbor School, and host corporate volunteer events with employees on the island with innovative non-profits like Billion Oyster Project and GrowNYC. I think that’s why I always felt a connection to Governors Island and a part of its evolution over the years. Ultimately, this idea of the island as a center for climate solutions made perfect sense.
The opportunity to work at The Exchange as it has come to life was an offer I couldn’t refuse! At the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, I was able to make impact at the local level by working with our team to launch the city’s strategic climate plan, the first long-term energy plan, environmental justice report and mapping tool, and an action plan to implement Local Law 97 – the city’s landmark building decarbonization policy. Late last year, it felt like a good time to take those learnings and experience to this first-of its-kind Climate Hub that will scale equitable climate solutions globally.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
Living through September 11th and Superstorm Sandy and the pandemic — all as a native New Yorker — has taught me to be resilient, solutions-oriented, empathetic and collaborative. I think the best way to overcome challenges is to show up, roll up your sleeves, ask what can I do to help, be a team player, and work hard to get things done.
After Superstorm Sandy hit and immediate needs were met, I moved into a chief of staff role at New York City Parks and focused on getting right to work reopening New York City’s devastated beaches in an unprecedented timeframe so that New Yorkers could experience some normalcy that summer, a directive from the Mayor. These were challenging times and we had to build coalitions across government and community to get the work done. In the middle of all this, there was a federal government shutdown and our coordination with key federal agencies came to a standstill. We just showed up every day, powered through the obstacles and worked together to make our impacted shoreline safe and resilient for the future, and today it particularly gives me a lot of joy to see fellow New Yorkers and visitors enjoying the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach, designed with resilience in mind by some of the best designers in New York City and in collaboration with the local community.
“Learning new skills and how different sectors operate helped me think about solutions in a more interdisciplinary way. It is good to broaden the way you think about the world.”
What have you also learned in the last six months?
The Exchange is made up of many partners, and while I was very familiar with the community and corporate partners, I have learned so much about the incredible research and work being done by our eleven academic partners. In a time when science feels under attack, it has been inspiring to learn from these researchers who are undeterred in identifying problems and solutions to climate issues across all sectors.
Who are you admiring now and why?
I am admiring Miranda Massie, the founder and director at The Climate Museum, and one of our incredible community partners. Miranda is a driving force and arts and culture are a powerful mechanism for reaching new audiences and driving action around climate change and environmental justice. The Climate Museum has used the power of the arts to meet people where they are and I am excited that they will soon have a permanent home to engage many more.
Groundbreaking of the Champlain Hudson Power Express, delivering 1,250 MW of low-cost renewable power directly into the New York Metro area.
Climate Week NYC panel hosted by Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs with C40 and Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr to discuss.
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And, what does success in that look like to you?
Whether it’s volunteering on a stewardship project at my local park, working on New York City’s strategic climate plan, or sharing local solutions with other cities to drive change, I want to make the world a more sustainable, resilient, equitable and healthy place both locally and globally. I see success when we bring people together, find common ground without the use of climate jargon, and advance equitable solutions — not just talk about them. Let’s roll up our sleeves and do the hard work to transform systems for healthier, thriving communities.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
My advice is to always challenge yourself and do not be afraid to try new things. I moved from public service, to roles in the private sector, into philanthropy, and now in the non-profit space. Learning new skills and how different sectors operate helped me think about solutions in a more interdisciplinary way. It is good to broaden the way you think about the world. Don’t limit yourself and don’t let people put you in a box — especially women!
This interview had been edited and condensed for clarity.