Geri Yang-Johnson

Geri is a community developer committed to a climate transition that centers racial equity and social justice. As Senior Program Officer, Geri brings two decades of working at the intersection of community impact, climate and inclusive economic development.

Prior to joining Waverley Street Foundation, Geri was Senior Fellow for Climate Equity at the Central Valley Community Foundation. She led an effort to draft the first regional community-led, climate-forward investment plan, positioning the Central Valley as a leader in California’s climate transition.

As National Director at Dream.org, Geri launched Transformative Communities to help communities secure public and private investments for community-led climate infrastructure. Prior to that, she was Vice President - Social Impact and Sustainability Senior Consultant at Wells Fargo where she managed community investments and social impact and sustainability initiatives.

Geri serves on the Boards of the California Wellness Foundation, the James B. McClatchy Foundation and the National Advisory Committee to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Geri earned her BA in Women’s Studies from California State University, Fresno.

One of 13 children from a refugee farming family, Geri has a profound interest in rural and agricultural-based economies worldwide. Outside of work, Geri enjoys traveling with her daughter, floral arrangement, and supporting Hmong communities across the diaspora.