Tom Steyer
Tom Steyer: A Philanthropist and Investor with a Passion for Public Service
Full Name and Common Aliases
Tom Steyer is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. His full name is Thomas Fahr Steyer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 27, 1957, in New York City, New York, Tom Steyer is still alive as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Steyer's nationality is American. He has had a diverse career spanning various fields including finance, politics, and philanthropy. Notably, he co-founded Farallon Capital Management, a global investment management company, which he later sold in 2012.
Early Life and Background
Tom Steyer grew up in New York City to a family of modest means. His father was an insurance executive, and his mother was a painter and art historian. Steyer developed an early interest in finance, influenced by the 1973 oil embargo, which sparked a passion for energy policy.
He attended Yale University, graduating with honors in history in 1979. After college, he went on to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1986, he earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Major Accomplishments
Steyer's career is marked by several significant accomplishments:
Co-founding Farallon Capital Management: Steyer co-founded the investment management company in 1986, which grew into one of the largest hedge funds in the world. He served as its CEO until selling his stake in 2012.
Investing in renewable energy: Steyer has been a long-time advocate for climate change mitigation and investing in clean energy. Under his leadership, Farallon Capital invested heavily in solar and wind power projects.
Advancing progressive causes: Through the Tom Steyer Family Foundation, he supports various social justice initiatives, including voting rights, healthcare access, and economic inequality.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions of Tom Steyer include:
Steyer's 2020 presidential campaign: He ran as a Democratic candidate for President in 2020, focusing on climate change, income inequality, and healthcare.
"Need to Impeach" movement: In 2017, Steyer launched the "Need to Impeach" movement, calling for the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump over allegations of misconduct.
Advocacy for clean energy: Through his advocacy work, Steyer has pushed for increased investment in renewable energy sources and stricter environmental regulations.
Impact and Legacy
Tom Steyer's impact on public policy and philanthropy is substantial:
Climate change leadership: His efforts to raise awareness about climate change and promote clean energy solutions have influenced the national conversation.
Progressive politics: Steyer has supported various progressive causes, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of social justice issues.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Tom Steyer is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Unwavering commitment to environmental protection: His dedication to addressing climate change and promoting clean energy has earned him recognition as a leader in this field.
Pioneering work in impact investing: Steyer's investment strategies have shown that business can be a force for good, inspiring others to follow his lead.
Quotes by Tom Steyer
If you're struggling to make your mortgage payment, and you've got three kids between the ages of 12 and 18, and you and your spouse works, and someone says, 'Oh, by the way, the world's ending,' it's like, 'Please. You don't need to tell me that.'
Americans can take on huge projects. But they need to understand why they should take on a huge project.
We think that when the American people make a decision together that they want something, politicians have to listen to them, and that's the process we believe in.
Another word for politics in my mind is organization. You have to be organized; you have to get out there. It's not just magic.
I'm a 30-year businessperson. I believe in American business. I believe in American ingenuity, and I believe in American innovation.
I think that my general feeling about the United States is that democracy works, and I've believed that my whole life, and my experience as a businessperson for 30 years was if you ignore the sound and fury, American democracy works if you give it enough time.
I think the days of the climate deniers are over. To deny basic science is to risk the trust of the general public.
The most powerful thing in politics is voter-to-voter contact. People take in ideas and formulate opinions by contact with other people they perceive to be trustworthy - other voters, people from their communities.
We agree that Citizens United is a very bad decision. We don't believe outspending your opponent is the way to go, since we don't believe we will ever be outspending our opponents!
We believe the way social change occurs in the United States, over the last 200 years, is the democratic process.