Paul Hohenberger is a dynamic and visionary leader, currently serving as the Director of Special Initiatives at TerraPraxis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to incubating scalable solutions for a sustainable planet and human prosperity. With a keen focus on addressing climate change, TerraPraxis aims to repower coal-fired power plants by replacing coal burners with non-carbon-emitting heat sources. Leveraging existing infrastructure, transmission lines, industry knowledge, and workforces, the organization is uniquely positioned to drive change at an unprecedented speed and scale, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In his role as Director of Special Initiatives, Paul is entrusted with advancing TerraPraxis' philanthropic strategy and outreach. He plays a vital role in developing interest and securing program support for innovative and equitable solutions that have been overlooked in the decarbonization challenge. With his extensive experience, Paul has successfully cultivated relationships within the philanthropic community, garnering support for programs and priorities spanning nuclear engineering, global health, climate science/energy, and demographic and survey research.
Prior to joining TerraPraxis, Paul served as the Principal Gift Officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where he played a pivotal role in securing philanthropic support for a diverse range of programs. These initiatives encompassed areas such as religion, politics, policy, race and ethnicity, immigration, healthcare, and environmental and conservation science. He led fundraising efforts for the Pew Research Center's comprehensive survey on Asian Americans, contributing to a deeper understanding of this vital demographic.
Paul's commitment to philanthropy is reflected in his previous role as the Director of Development at the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health. During his tenure, he actively fostered a philanthropic interest in global health and school priorities, successfully raising funds to establish the Harvard T.H. Chan School's India Research Centre in Mumbai, India.
Moreover, Paul made significant contributions as a Development Officer at the MIT School of Engineering. He focused on securing philanthropic support for the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, resulting in essential funding for professorships, fellowships, and departmental initiatives. Additionally, he provided leadership in identifying philanthropic needs to support MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC).
Paul's educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He remains actively engaged with his alma mater, serving as a member of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Department of Political Science Advisory Board and as a former board member of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Alumni Association. He has also pursued professional certificate programs at renowned institutions such as Harvard T.H. Chan School and MIT, further enhancing his expertise in policy, politics, and innovation in various sectors.
Growing up in Holyoke, Massachusetts, a town that has experienced economic decline for several decades, holds a deep personal significance for Paul. He treasures the memories of receiving a quality public education in a city that embraced economic and racial diversity, representing the true essence of the American melting pot. This transformative experience fueled his dedication to a career focused on effecting positive change and creating a just society. As part of his commitment to supporting Holyoke, Paul provides financial assistance to residents in need, enabling them to pursue studies in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts.
With his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to philanthropy, and relentless pursuit of transformative solutions, Paul Hohenberger emerges as a catalyst for meaningful change in the global fight against climate change. Through his work at TerraPraxis and his ongoing dedication to creating a sustainable future, Paul strives to ensure a prosperous and thriving planet for generations to come.
I first met Paul at an MIT screening of Oliver Stone’s Nuclear Now documentary, a subsequently at my home at the instigation of my wonderful alum Kristina.
Paul and I developed a chemistry over some common roots in his background in Holyoke and my youth in the Queensbridge housing projects.
His eclectic background, breadth of knowledge, passion and intelligence are quickly evident. His quick grasp of technical details and ability to discern and describe complexity is impressive.