Erik Caldwell

Erik Caldwell is the current Director at CDC Small Business Finance and was formerly the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and Director of Sustainability for the City of San Diego from March 2015 to April 2021. Erik was responsible for leading the implementation of the city's ambitious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under Erik's leadership, the city's implementation efforts focused on increasing the energy and water efficiency of facilities, furthering the use of renewable energy, expanding transit and alternative mobility choices, diverting waste away from landfills, and preparing the city for the impacts of climate change. San Diego's sustainability team was recognized nationally and internationally as an innovator in exploring how technology, renewable energy, mobility, climate resilience, and creative financing can accelerate San Diego's transition into a post carbon future.

From July 2008 to April 2011, Erik served as Deputy Director of Policy to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. In this role, they were responsible for developing and implementing Sanders' policy agenda.

Erik also spent a year as Vice President of Government Partnerships at Figtree Financing, where they were responsible for developing partnerships with government entities to promote Figtree's solar financing products.

Erik Caldwell attended California State University San Marcos for their undergraduate degree, where they studied political science. Erik then went on to get their Master of Business Administration (MBA) from San Diego State University in business administration and management. In addition, Erik has also obtained certifications from UC San Diego Extension in data science and visualization, as well as a certification from the California Department of Real Estate in California real estate broker. Lastly, Erik is also a certified PADI open water diver.