Tom Hopcroft
Climate Leader | Community Builder | Entrepreneur
Real change happens when people come together across industries, organizations, and perspectives to build a better future for everyone.
I'm focused on the issues that matter most: combating climate change, strengthening our schools, and making our communities healthier, safer, and more affordable. Through innovation, education, impact, and advocacy, I have a career track record of turning challenges into opportunities, whether helping businesses transition to carbon neutrality as CEO of the Net Zero Institute or championing our town's first fully net zero school as an elected School Committee member.
My work is guided by one belief: the best solutions emerge when people work together to find common ground and deliver results for everyone.
INNOVATION
Tom is a community builder, civic leader, and serial entrepreneur. He creates conditions for collective impact, resulting in the Net Zero Institute, Innovation unConference, Boston Tech Jam, the Tech Compact for Social Justice, the Board-Ready Bootcamp, On the Tech Trail podcast, and more.
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EDUCATION
Education is a through line in Tom's life. He was raised by educators, taught at Northeastern University, served on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, chaired the MassTLC Education Foundation, advocated for education policy, and was elected to the Winchester
School Committee where he has served as Chair.
IMPACT
Tom is mission driven, focused on problem solving and creating opportunities for others. He stood with Attorney General Maura Healey in opposition to the Trump Travel ban, and commissioned a report on the economic value of immigrants which was cited by Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor.
ADVOCACY
Tom is a connector and translator, working to help lawmakers and business leader learn about each other's worlds. Policy will be made and funds allocated whether or not all voices are at the table. Tom enjoys bringing different perspectives to the table for policy makers to learn and act with greater context.