David Paolella

David works on Breakthrough Energy’s U.S. Policy and Advocacy team, where he helps lead the development, review, and analysis of policy proposals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Prior to joining Breakthrough Energy, David was a Research and Policy Analyst at the Clean Energy Transition Institute in Seattle, Washington. His work focused on energy and climate policy for the Pacific Northwest, and he provided technical support for the development of the Washington 2021 State Energy Strategy.

Previously, David worked at the University of Washington Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, where he researched racial-ethnic disparities in exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution in the United States. David also worked as an economic consultant in the Boston office of Analysis Group. David holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Yale University and a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College. In his free time, David enjoys trips to the mountains, cycling, reading science fiction novels, and improvisational cooking.