Career Timeline of Tom Steyer: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tom Steyer made an impact.

Tom Steyer is an American billionaire, philanthropist, environmental advocate, and Democratic political activist. He founded Farallon Capital, a hedge fund, in 1986 and managed it until 2012. Subsequently, he shifted his focus to climate advocacy and political engagement, founding NextGen America and co-founding Galvanize Climate Solutions, an investment firm concentrating on climate change solutions. As of April 2026, his net worth was estimated at $2.4 billion.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1979: Began Career at Morgan Stanley

In 1979, after graduating from Yale, Tom Steyer started his professional career at Morgan Stanley.

1983: Joined Goldman Sachs

In 1983, Tom Steyer began working at Goldman Sachs as an associate in the risk arbitrage division.

1983: Worked on Mondale's Campaign

In 1983, Tom Steyer worked on Walter Mondale's presidential campaign.

1985: Continued Work at Goldman Sachs

In 1985, Tom Steyer continued to work at Goldman Sachs until that year.

January 1986: Founded Farallon Capital

In January 1986, Tom Steyer founded Farallon Capital, a hedge fund firm, with $15 million in seed capital, naming it after the Farallon Islands.

1986: Founded Farallon Capital

In 1986, Tom Steyer founded Farallon Capital, a San Francisco hedge fund.

1987: Yale Endowment Allocation

In 1987, Tom Steyer, an alumnus, secured an arrangement with Yale University's endowment fund for Farallon to manage an allocation for no fee.

2000: Raised Money for Bill Bradley

In 2000, Tom Steyer raised money for Bill Bradley.

2002: Farallon Buys Bank Central Asia

In 2002, Farallon, under Tom Steyer, acquired control of Bank Central Asia (BCA) for $531 million.

2002: Contributions to Riordan's Campaign

In 2002, Tom Steyer contributed $50,000 to Republican Richard Riordan's gubernatorial campaign but did not properly disclose the contributions.

2004: Raised Money for John Kerry

In 2004, Tom Steyer raised money for John Kerry.

2004: Delegate to Democratic Convention

In 2004, Tom Steyer served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

2006: Farallon Sells Stake in BCA

In 2006, Farallon sold its stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA) for a profit.

2006: Founded OneRoof, Inc.

In 2006, Tom Steyer and his wife, Kat Taylor, founded OneRoof, Inc., a social enterprise business designed to bring broadband connectivity, computer literacy, and employment skills to small rural towns in rural India and Mexico.

2006: Global Warming Solutions Act

In 2010, Tom Steyer co-chaired the No on Prop. 23 campaign, which opposed the initiative that aimed to overturn California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

2007: Founded Beneficial State Bank

In 2007, Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor founded Beneficial State Bank, a community development bank providing services to underserved Bay Area businesses, nonprofits, and individuals.

2008: Creation of the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy

In 2008, Steyer and Taylor gave $41 million to create the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford University to develop affordable renewable energy technologies.

2008: Obama Fundraiser

In 2008, Tom Steyer became one of Barack Obama's most prolific fundraisers after initially supporting Hillary Clinton and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

August 2010: Signed The Giving Pledge

In August 2010, Tom Steyer and his wife signed onto The Giving Pledge, an initiative of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

2010: Co-Chaired No on Prop. 23 Campaign

In 2010, Tom Steyer co-chaired the No on Prop. 23 campaign with George Shultz, donating $5 million to successfully oppose the initiative that aimed to overturn California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

2010: Opposition to Citizens United v. FEC

In a November 2014 interview, Steyer stated that the price of inaction is too high not to take a direct role in elections and that he opposes the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision.

2011: Joined Next Generation board

Around 2011, Tom Steyer joined the board of Next Generation, a nonprofit focused on children's issues and the environment. Steyer and Taylor also created the TomKat Ranch around this time.

2011: Founded Advanced Energy Economy

In 2011, Tom Steyer founded Advanced Energy Economy, an energy research and lobbying group, with Hemant Taneja.

October 2012: Stepping Down from Farallon

In October 2012, Tom Steyer resigned from his position at Farallon to dedicate himself to advocating for alternative energy.

2012: Speech at Democratic National Convention

At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Tom Steyer gave a speech emphasizing the importance of energy policy and criticizing Mitt Romney's stance on fossil fuels.

2012: Hosted Obama Fundraiser

In 2012, Tom Steyer hosted a fundraiser for President Obama and pressed him about the Keystone pipeline, which Steyer opposed.

2012: Departure from Farallon Capital

In 2012, Tom Steyer left Farallon Capital, where he was co-senior managing partner, to focus on climate advocacy and Democratic politics.

2012: Sponsored Proposition 39

In 2012, Tom Steyer sponsored Proposition 39 in California, which closed a tax loophole for multi-state corporations, contributing $29.6 million to the successful campaign.

2012: Focus on Keystone Pipeline and departure from Farallon

In 2012, after conversations with Bill McKibben, Steyer decided to focus on the Keystone Pipeline and officially left Farallon.

February 2013: Anti-Keystone XL Pipeline Rally

In February 2013, Tom Steyer spoke at an anti-Keystone XL Pipeline rally on the Washington Mall but was dissuaded from getting arrested.

September 2013: Opposition to Keystone Pipeline

In September 2013, Steyer appeared in a series of commercials in opposition to the proposed Keystone pipeline.

October 2013: Launch of the Risky Business Project

In October 2013, Steyer launched a bipartisan initiative called the Risky Business Project with Michael Bloomberg and Henry Paulson to combat climate change.

2013: Support for Terry McAuliffe's campaign

In 2013, Steyer supported Terry McAuliffe's successful campaign for governor of Virginia through his NextGen Climate Action, contributing funds for paid media and get-out-the-vote efforts.

2013: Founded NextGen Climate

In 2013, Tom Steyer founded NextGen Climate, an environmental advocacy nonprofit and political action committee, later known as NextGen America.

2013: Attacked Lynch

Reportedly in 2013, Tom Steyer spent $1.8 million attacking Stephen Lynch including money for a plane that flew over a Boston Red Sox game with a banner reading "Steve Lynch for Oil Evil Empire".

June 2014: Involvement in California legislative races

In June 2014, Steyer announced plans to get involved in California legislative races to influence climate change policy, becoming the largest donor in American politics and a leading advocate for environmental issues.

June 2014: Publication of Risky Business Project National Report

In June 2014, the Risky Business Project, co-chaired by Steyer, Bloomberg, and Paulson, published a National Report on the economic risks of climate change in the United States.

November 2014: Statement on investing in elections

In a November 2014 interview, Steyer stated that the price of inaction is too high not to take a direct role in elections and that he opposes Citizens United v. FEC.

2014: Spending in midterm elections

In 2014, Steyer spent about $67 million of his personal fortune in the midterm elections and had a 40% success rate.

2014: Funded Political Campaigns

In 2014, Tom Steyer funded political campaigns to advocate for the election of at least nine candidates through NextGen Climate.

January 2015: Publication of Risky Business Project Midwest Report

In January 2015, the Risky Business Project published a Midwest Report on the economic risks of climate change.

April 2015: Testimony before California Legislature

In April 2015, Steyer testified before the California Legislature in favor of a greenhouse-gas reduction bill.

April 2015: Publication of Risky Business Project California Report

In April 2015, the Risky Business Project published a California Report on the economic risks of climate change.

July 2015: Call for clean energy plans from 2016 candidates

In July 2015, Steyer called on 2016 candidates to develop strategic plans to provide the United States with at least 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2030.

August 2015: California Democratic Party headquarters visit

In August 2015, Steyer was the guest of honor at the California Democratic Party headquarters to discuss bills to cut gasoline use in half by 2030.

August 2015: Launched Fair Shake Commission

In August 2015, Tom Steyer launched the Fair Shake Commission on Income Inequality and Middle Class Opportunity to advocate for policies promoting income equality.

2015: Joining the Breakthrough Energy Coalition

In 2015, Steyer signed on to the Bill Gates Breakthrough Energy Coalition, aimed at jumpstarting the demand and availability of green energy sources.

2016: Support for Democratic candidates

In 2016, Steyer cited Florida's central role in the presidential election and its vulnerability to climate change as reasons for his focus on the state, while supporting Democrats in various Senate and Gubernatorial races.

2016: Fundraising for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Steyer raised money for Hillary Clinton, hosting a fundraiser at his home and contributing over $87 million to Democratic Party candidates.

2016: Co-chaired Proposition 56 Campaign

In 2016, Tom Steyer co-chaired the campaign in support of California's Proposition 56, which raised the state's tobacco tax. He contributed more than $11 million and appeared in television advertising for the campaign.

2016: Call for clean energy plans from 2016 candidates

In July 2015, Steyer called on 2016 candidates to develop strategic plans to provide the United States with at least 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2030.

October 2017: NextGen America Donated Grants

In October 2017, NextGen America donated grants totaling $2.3-million to eight national immigration law service organizations.

October 2017: Television ad campaign advocating for Trump's impeachment

In October 2017, Steyer spent approximately $10 million for a television ad campaign advocating the impeachment of Donald Trump, alleging various wrongdoings. Trump responded by calling Steyer "wacky and totally unhinged."

October 2017: Support for raising personal taxes

In an interview in October 2017, Steyer said that he was in favor of raising personal taxes, arguing that upper-income people had done "disproportionately well" at the expense of working families.

January 2018: Announcement not to run for governor

In January 2018, Steyer announced that he would not run for governor of California, after considering it.

March 2018: Launch of town hall tour

In March 2018, Steyer launched a 30-city town hall tour related to the Need to Impeach campaign, amassing close to 6 million petition signatures by the fall election season.

November 2018: Outline of key issue areas for Democrats

In November 2018, in a full-page USA Today ad, Steyer outlined five non-partisan issue areas on which he said the Democrats should campaign: voting rights protections, a clean environment, a complete education, a living wage, and good health.

July 9, 2019: Launch of presidential campaign

On July 9, 2019, Steyer launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in an online campaign video posted to Twitter, committing to spend millions of dollars in campaign advertising.

July 2019: Stepping down from Need to Impeach

In July 2019, Steyer stepped down from his role as president of Need to Impeach to announce his presidential campaign and named Nathaly Arriola as the new executive director.

2019: Coronavirus Pandemic

In April 2020, Tom Steyer was appointed chair of a task force to address the economic recovery after the 2019-20 Coronavirus pandemic.

February 2020: Withdrawal from Presidential Race

In February 2020, Tom Steyer withdrew from the Democratic presidential nomination race after spending over $253 million and receiving no pledged delegates.

February 29, 2020: South Carolina primary and campaign suspension

On February 29, 2020, Steyer finished third in the South Carolina Democratic primary and subsequently suspended his presidential campaign.

April 2020: Appointed to California's Economic Recovery Task Force

In April 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom selected Tom Steyer to chair a task force focused on the state's economic recovery after the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

2020: Opposition to Medicare for All

During his 2020 Democratic presidential primary campaign, Steyer opposed Medicare for All and ran ads against Bernie Sanders' single-payer healthcare plan.

2020: Spending on presidential campaign

In 2020, Steyer spent over $253 million on his presidential campaign, primarily from his personal funds.

2021: Co-founded Galvanize Climate Solutions

In 2021, Tom Steyer co-founded Galvanize Climate Solutions with Katie Hall, a climate-focused investment firm.

2023: Fundraiser for Joe Biden's re-election bid

In 2023, Steyer held a fundraiser for President Joe Biden's re-election bid for the White House in his San Francisco home.

November 2025: Entry into California Governor race

In November 2025, Steyer entered the 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as Governor of California.

November 2025: Announcement of Gubernatorial Campaign

In November 2025, Tom Steyer announced his campaign in the 2026 California gubernatorial election.

December 2025: Reversal on single-payer healthcare

In December 2025, Steyer reversed his position on single-payer healthcare, stating that he had been "wrong" to oppose it and that "Bernie Sanders was right".

2025: Donated to Proposition 50 Campaign

In 2025, Tom Steyer donated $12 million to the campaign for California's Proposition 50, which redrew California's congressional districts.

January 2026: Support for a one-off wealth tax in California

In January 2026, Steyer wrote an article supporting the one-off wealth tax in California.

March 2026: Petition to disqualify Eric Swalwell

In March 2026, Steyer's campaign petitioned the California Secretary of State to disqualify Eric Swalwell from running in the governor's race, arguing that Swalwell is not a California resident.

April 2026: Gubernatorial Campaign Spending

By April 2026, Tom Steyer's campaign for the California gubernatorial election became the highest-spending in the field, surpassing $130 million.

April 2026: Call for the abolition of ICE

In an April 2026 essay on his Substack, Steyer called for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and proposed that California criminally prosecute ICE agents and leadership, end racial profiling through state legislation, expand California's immigration legal-defence infrastructure, and conduct public education on immigrants' rights.

2026: Entry into California Governor race

In November 2025, Steyer entered the 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as Governor of California.

2030: Target to cut gasoline use in half by 2030

In August 2015, Steyer visited the California Democratic Party headquarters to discuss bills to cut gasoline use in half by 2030.

2030: Call for clean energy plans from 2016 candidates

In July 2015, Steyer called on 2016 candidates to develop strategic plans to provide the United States with at least 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2030.