Building for the Future

Houston has always met its challenges with action. When Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017, the city didn't wait — it got to work. Mayor Sylvester Turner convened oil and gas executives, renewable energy leaders, civic organizations, and everyday Houstonians to build the city's first Climate Action Plan. That's what Houston does: it takes on hard problems, brings the right people together, and builds something better.

In 2018, a year after Harvey, the idea was born on a lawn in West Houston's Energy Corridor — the heart of the global energy industry. Standing there, Mayor Turner cast a bold vision: Houston deserved the world's biggest and best energy and climate week. A rodeo for the future. A week that draws the world to our city, our culture, and the opportunity to build and back the American dream here.

Turner's ask didn't go unanswered. Katie Mehnert & Juliana Garaizar led a small team of builders who took that vision and brought it to life. On Harvey's 5th anniversary in 2022, Houston Energy & Climate Week was born — and it has always been about everyone. Mayor Turner received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Grit Award, and the City of Houston declared Mayor Turner Day in his honor. In three years, 85 events grew to 100+. 3,600 attendees grew to 5,000+. 80 speakers grew to 280 across 7 countries. This is Houston's story — and it belongs to all of us.

What Your Dollars Do

1 - Executive Director: Fund AIE's first full-time leader to run HECW year-round.

2 - Finance Infrastructure - Build the operational backbone a growing nonprofit needs.

3 - Year-Round Programming - Monthly convenings, student outreach, and grant opportunities.

4 - Seed 2026–2027; Runway for the next two years of growth and impact.

Houston Energy & Climate Week &nd-Bassadors Legacy Fund

Team Leaderboard

Team Members