Center for Social Innovation

Published: February 09, 2012

Steve Westly is CEO of The Westly Group, a venture advisory firm focused on clean technology. Before launching his firm, Steve served as California State Controller, where he spearheaded tax programs to help close the state’s budget deficit and led the effort to commit more than $1 billion to clean technology investments. He ran for governor in the 2006 Democratic Primary and was narrowly defeated. Steve remains active in public life as chair of the California Leadership Committee, a PAC dedicated to supporting the next generation of Democratic leaders. On the national scene, he served as California co-chair of then-Senator Barack Obama’s successful residential campaign.

At the CSI/PMP 40th Anniversary Celebration in October 2011, Steve reflected on his years as a public servant, including State Controller and CFO for the State of California, and his candidacy for Governor in 2006.