Camila Thorndike joined The Lemelson Foundation in 2025 as a Program Officer for the Climate Action initiative. She has more than 20 years of experience as an organizer and campaigner in climate and clean energy.
Thorndike has dedicated her career to creating a climate-safe future. In her role at Rewiring America, she led initiatives for public engagement and implementation of new electrification policies. In 2024, she steered climate engagement for the Harris-Walz campaign, and earlier served as Legislative Assistant to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during efforts to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. Before working on Capitol Hill, she led the campaign that passed a nation-leading 100% renewable electricity standard for Washington, DC.
Thorndike grew up in Southern Oregon, where in 2014, she co-founded the nationwide youth engagement nonprofit Our Climate. She has also worked for the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and led outreach for a regional land use planning process in Arizona. Recognized for her dedication to equitable climate action, she has received prestigious recognition and honors, including the Udall Scholarship, Sitka Fellowship, Mic 50, Grist 50, DC Environmental Network Award, HKS Environmental Fellowship, and HKS Littauer Award.
Thorndike is a graduate of Whitman College and the Harvard Kennedy School. She loves bikes, dinner parties, and the practice of multiracial democracy.