Ben Wessel
Former Executive Director, NextGen America
Ben Wessel is a political strategist and philanthropic leader focused on strengthening democracy through elections, culture, and long-term systems change. As a political philanthropy professional, he oversees a portfolio spanning voter engagement, digital communications, media ecosystems, and more. Previously, he served as Executive Director of NextGen America, where he helped lead one of the largest youth civic engagement programs in the country, registering more than 1.5 million young voters. He is a native of Washington, DC and a longtime resident of San Francisco, CA.
What excites you about the Stories of Impact Challenge?
“What excites me most about this challenge is its optimism. When leaders speak authentically about the work happening in their communities, they remind people that climate action isn't just about taking on some far away problem. It's about saying "we're already winning, right here at home." And the more mayors that get comfortable doing this in the language of the internet (direct-to-camera videos), the more everyday people we'll inspire to see themselves as part of the solution. ”