new gig
Greentown Labs names former Chevron exec to board of directors
A major climatetech startup incubator has added a new Houston-based member to its board of directors.
Greentown Labs announced that it has appointed Barbara J. Burger — former vice president of innovation and president of Chevron Technology Ventures, Chevron's startup investment arm — to its board of directors.
In her previous role at Chevron, she spearheaded the energy company's support of Greentown Labs since 2013 and the opening of its Houston incubator. After announcing her retirement in December, she has continued being active at Greentown and hosts semi-annual Women of Greentown Houston dinners.
“Barbara Burger is a tireless advocate for the energy transition and the unique role that the City of Houston can play in it,” says Ryan Dings, Greentown Labs’ COO and general counsel, in a news release. “Barbara is a key reason why our vision for Greentown Houston became reality. We are honored to welcome Barbara to the Board and look forward to benefiting from Barbara’s industry expertise and deep technical knowledge as Greentown continues to grow.”
In addition to leading CTV for almost a decade, Burger also served on boards and councils in Houston and abroad, including being the chairperson for Houston Exponential. Last year, she was named InnovationMap's inaugural Trailblazer Award recipient for her dedication to the local innovation ecosystem.
“I am honored and excited to join the Greentown Labs Board of Directors,” says Burger in the release. “Combatting the effects of climate change requires bringing a wide range of innovative solutions to scale. There is work for incumbents and startups alike in this enormous challenge that WE all face. Greentown Labs plays an essential role in providing facilities, tools, programs, and an inclusive community to nurture and grow innovation that matters.”
Per the release, Burger joins 11 existing board members:
- Gilda A. Barabino, president of Olin College of Engineering
- Alicia Barton, CEO of FirstLight Power (Board Chair)
- Nisha Desai, founder and CEO of Intention (Greentown Labs Community Board Member)
- Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North Solutions
- Dawn James, director of U.S. Sustainability Strategy and Environmental Science at Microsoft
- Leah Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Sublime Systems (Greentown Labs Community Board Member)
- Matthew Nordan, co-founder and managing director of Prime Impact Fund and General Partner at Azolla Ventures
- Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs
- Nidhi Thakar, vice president of Policy and Regulatory at Form Energy
- Kathleen Theoharides, head of Offshore Development (East) at RWE Renewables
- Mitch Tyson, principal at Tyson Associates and co-founder of the Northeast Clean Energy Council
“I am thrilled to welcome Barbara to our already outstanding Board of Directors at Greentown Labs,” says Barton. “She brings a wealth of private and nonprofit sector expertise to our growing organization, and Barbara’s deep expertise in helping climate technology startups accelerate their growth and deliver pioneering solutions to the world’s energy and climate problems will help further propel Greentown and its members forward.”