Climate Power Expands Firepower with Key Hires Ahead of 2026 Midterms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Climate Power, the strategic communications organization dedicated to building political will for climate action, today announced three major additions to its executive leadership team: Josh Peck as Executive Director, Sheila O’Connell as Chief Program Officer, and Lizz Gramling as Chief Operating Officer. The new leadership marks the next phase in Climate Power’s growth, adding deep experience in political and advocacy campaigns, innovation, and data-driven communications to reach new audiences. 

Founding Executive Director Lori Lodes will take on an expanded role as President, continuing to guide Climate Power’s vision and growth while deepening partnerships and positioning the organization for long-term impact. Peck will oversee day-to-day operations to accelerate Climate Power’s next phase of growth and innovation.

“The fight to define what’s at stake for families and our economy is already underway, with affordability and energy costs playing a decisive role in this year’s elections,” said Lori Lodes, President of Climate Power. “Bringing in the leadership of Josh, Sheila, and Lizz gives Climate Power the sharpened political edge and communications firepower we need heading into 2026. Josh’s expertise in turning major policy wins like the Affordable Care Act into large-scale public engagement, Sheila’s proven ability to win the toughest statewide political battles, and Lizz’s focus on building resilient organizations that deliver for people will help us connect climate to voters’ everyday lives and hold Trump and Republicans accountable for their costly war on American-made clean energy.”

With Peck, O’Connell, and Gramling on board, Climate Power adds to its leadership team proven experience in winning tough political battles, running large-scale localized campaigns, and mobilizing millions. Their collective expertise positions the organization to expand its influence, defend climate champions, and hold opponents accountable nationwide. 

Josh Peck steps into the Executive Director role following more than two decades of leading national campaigns and communications strategies. A seasoned veteran of both the Obama and Biden administrations, Peck’s expertise lies in translating complex policy into measurable public impact and large-scale engagement.

His experience includes:

• Serving as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Biden White House, where he helped implement the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—the largest climate investment in U.S. history.
• Leading the U.S. government’s COVID Public Education Campaign and overseeing the growth of HealthCare.gov under President Obama, demonstrating an ability to connect millions of Americans, including hard-to-reach communities, with vital programs.
• Directing nearly $1 billion in outreach across media and digital platforms to drive public will on consequential issues.

Sheila O’Connell, the organization’s new Chief Program Officer, brings decades of proven success in high-stakes campaign management and progressive organizing. Her record demonstrates a decisive ability to win tough, competitive races at every level.

O’Connell’s critical experience includes:

• Serving as Campaign Manager for Angela Alsobrooks’ successful 2024 U.S. Senate campaign in Maryland, navigating a complex primary against a $65 million self-funding opponent and defeating a popular former governor in the general election.
• Managing now-Senator Chris Van Hollen’s successful 2016 U.S. Senate primary.
• Providing strategic counsel to congressional candidates, statewide campaigns, and advocacy organizations. 

Lizz Gramling joins Climate Power as Chief Operating Officer, bringing 20 years of results-driven experience building and scaling organizations in corporate, philanthropy, non-profit, and political campaigns. 

Her experience includes:

• Serving as the Executive Secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Biden-Harris Administration, where she spearheaded the Department’s policy development and review process, and worked to finalize key regulations, including expanding preventive services coverage under the Affordable Care Act and enhancing patient privacy protections under HIPAA.
• Leading operations for influential national organizations like the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), as well as the high-profile presidential campaigns of Senator Elizabeth Warren and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
• Building durable coalitions that advance gender and reproductive health, rights, and justice as the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity.

Antonieta Cadiz Vargas will become Executive Director for En Accion Project, Claire Moser will become Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder, and Matt Compton will continue in his role as Chief of Staff.