About Michelle Li

Keynote speaker, founder, and storyteller. What Gets Measured Gets Changed.

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In 45 words

Michelle Li is a keynote speaker and moderator who turns complex, overlooked data into action. A Silicon Valley veteran and two-time founder, she’s taken the stage at Davos, SXSW, and Google, proving that any dataset, from carbon to conversion rates, can reliably move a room.

The story

From Silicon Valley to the world's stages

Michelle Li has built her career translating complexity into clarity.

She began in the world of science, earning a Bachelor’s in Biology and Chemistry and a Master’s in Cancer Genetics, where she helped advance research on one of medicine’s most complex challenges. She then spent nearly a decade in Silicon Valley with Salesforce and DocuSign, helping organizations understand sophisticated technologies and translate technical capabilities into real business value.

Today, as Founder of Clever Carbon, Michelle applies that same gift to one of the world’s most important, and often misunderstood, topics: climate change. In February 2022 she also co-founded Women and Climate, a non-profit whose speaker database now represents more than 800 women across 40+ climate topics.

Whether explaining cancer genetics, enterprise software, or carbon emissions, Michelle has a unique ability to make complex ideas simple, relatable, and actionable. Her engaging style has inspired audiences around the world, helping Fortune 500 companies, professional sports organizations, governments, and global brands build understanding, spark curiosity, and turn knowledge into meaningful action.

Portrait of Michelle Li, keynote speaker
Founder & builder

Not just a speaker. A founder who ships.

Clever Carbon

Carbon footprint literacy made hip and fun. A 2-minute quiz in 9 languages, with brand partners including the NBA and Mubadala.

clevercarbon.io →

Women and Climate

A global non-profit igniting climate action among women professionals, with a speaker database of 800+ women across 40+ topics.

womenandclimate.co →

Carbon Newbie Summit

Debuted at NYC Climate Week 2023 with speakers from the NBA, Mastercard, Nasdaq, and the United Nations.

carbonnewbie.com →

Clever Carbon and Women and Climate logos pull from their sites; ask Michelle for a Carbon Newbie Summit logo file.

Resources

The proof and the press

Tap any card to expand it.

Testimonials 6 What organizers at Google, Trinity College School, and the Monaco Foundation say about working with Michelle.

“Michelle is a master of group engagement! She made learning about climate change easily accessible to middle school, high school and staff alike. Our community so appreciated her non-judgemental way of sharing facts and inviting all of us to assess our lifestyles. As one student said "who knew that learning about something so dire could be so fun."”

— Alison Elliott, Trinity College School

“Michelle Li's powerful keynote, "A brief history: Carbon Footprint Edition," at Google's Sustainability Summit in Berlin, was rated the best by attendees. Her insights and strong call to action inspired collaboration on green innovation. What truly set her presentation apart was its fun, light, and unexpectedly different approach, making a complex topic engaging and memorable. Michelle's impactful and unique delivery left a lasting impression and boosted our shared commitment to a greener future. We are certainly looking forward to including Michelle as a speaker at our future Google summits and events.”

— Alissa Schipper, Google Senior Industry Manager Agencies & Partners

“As a conference producer, I'm always on the look out for game changing solutions and individuals creating a meaningful impact. Michelle's support at our CCUS Forum in Doha was nothing short of exceptional. She launched a 'Women and Climate' event as part of the forum that energized the audience and rallied women to work in climate, and in her role as the Master of Ceremonies for our full day of technical workshops was truly inspiring. Michelle not only motivated our attendees to connect and engage but also encouraged us all to be mindful of our carbon footprint throughout the event. Her unwavering professionalism, dedication, and inventive ideas have significantly elevated the quality of our conferences. We consider ourselves fortunate to have crossed paths with Michelle and are eagerly anticipating her return for our upcoming event – preparations are already underway!”

— Vivian Wood, Executive Producer, Birba Energy

“Michelle Li was a keynote speaker at our annual Tech Conference. Michelle was a consummate professional throughout the entire planning process. Michelle has a masterful understanding of the carbon footprint of common, every day actions and what is required for employees to feel empowered to create meaningful change within their own companies. Her talk was engaging, timely, and relevant and her "carbon footprint quiz" was informative and fun and fully aids others in making more informed, sustainable decisions every day. I highly recommend Michelle as a speaker for sustainability related conferences and content.”

— Rebecca Dotson, Educational Program Manager, NAEM

“Michelle moderated two roundtables on ocean innovation hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation during COP28 in Dubai. Her thorough preparation, including individual meetings with speakers, and her handling of last-minute changes demonstrated her commitment and flexibility. Michelle's deep understanding of carbon-related topics played a crucial role in facilitating meaningful discussions, providing ample space for diverse perspectives on complex issues. It has been a real pleasure working with her and I look forward to our next collaboration.”

— Romain Ciarlet, Secretary General, Executive Director, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco

“Michelle moderated a high-level panel discussion on the role of enabling tech and the energy transition during The U.S. Clean Energy Transition Conference in November 2023. The panel was composed of representatives from the Federal Government, city governments and industry, and Michelle guided the discussion expertly. Michelle's thorough preparation was impressive. Her detailed pre-conference notes and guidance for the speakers was appreciated and contributed to a successful outcome on event day. Michelle's energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject were equalled by her excellent ability to maintain the flow of the discussions and engage the audience. I would encourage all event organizers to consider Michelle for your next show.”

— Tom Chinnock, Co-Founder, Tech for Climate Action
Podcasts 35 Episodes on carbon literacy, storytelling, and careers, from S&P Global to UN News.
Press & features 14 Selected coverage from Politico, Inc., CBS News, Rolling Stone, and more.
Politico Magazine · 15 unpredictable scenarios for 2025 (expert contributor)Read / watch →
Inc. · Discover the Ocean's Quiet Power in Climate ActionRead / watch →
CBS News New York · Congestion pricing, traffic and pollution: expert commentRead / watch →
March8 · Michelle Li, Founder of Clever CarbonRead / watch →
Collision Repair Magazine · 2025 Automotive Sustainability Summit coverageRead / watch →
UpNorthLive (ABC) · How climate change can impact your healthRead / watch →
Climate North · Carbon Footprints and Women EmpowermentRead / watch →
Oman Observer · Women-led climate push takes root in OmanRead / watch →
Sustainability News · COP29: Five Key Takeaways and Expert InsightsRead / watch →
SME Business News · Top UK sustainability experts revealed in major new surveyRead / watch →
CarbonBetter · Modern Planeteer seriesRead / watch →
Diginomica · Is 'slowmadism' the answer to the carbon cost of remote work?Read / watch →
Invisible Company · Building an inclusive community for climate enthusiastsRead / watch →
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week · Amplifying Women's Voices in Climate ActionRead / watch →

Planning an event? Open the media kit → or watch the speaker reel →

Bring Michelle's story to your stage

Keynotes for conferences, summits, and corporate programs worldwide.

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