Rivian Appoints Heath Nero as Executive Director of the Rivian Foundation and Vice President of Philanthropy
Rivian has announced a significant addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Heath Nero as Executive Director of the Rivian Foundation and Vice President of Philanthropy. Beginning September 29, Nero will take charge of shaping and executing Rivian’s philanthropic strategy, with a particular focus on advancing the Rivian Foundation’s grantmaking activities and overseeing corporate giving initiatives.
In his new capacity, Nero will report directly to Anisa Kamadoli Costa, who serves as President and Trustee of the Rivian Foundation as well as Chief Sustainability Officer at Rivian. This reporting structure underscores Rivian’s alignment of philanthropy with its broader sustainability mission, ensuring that conservation, environmental stewardship, and community well-being remain central pillars of the company’s identity.
A Background Rooted in Conservation Leadership
Nero brings with him a wealth of experience from his tenure at the Wyss Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to conservation efforts around the globe. Most recently serving as Senior Program Officer for Global Conservation, Nero spearheaded initiatives aimed at achieving the ambitious “30 by 30” target—protecting 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
His work played a key role in securing permanent protections for over 100 million acres of land and more than 1.5 million square miles of ocean ecosystems. These accomplishments highlight Nero’s proven track record in driving large-scale conservation successes, often requiring coordination across governments, nonprofit organizations, indigenous communities, and local stakeholders.
Before his career in philanthropy, Nero served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer Officer, including a combat tour in Iraq. His leadership and service earned him the Bronze Star Medal, a recognition that reflects his ability to operate effectively under pressure while achieving critical objectives. This combination of military discipline, leadership, and strategic planning has clearly informed his approach to complex conservation challenges.
The Role of the Rivian Foundation
The Rivian Foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) private foundation, designed to serve as a cornerstone of the company’s philanthropic endeavors. Its mission is to safeguard a healthy planet so that future generations may experience a world defined by abundance, natural beauty, and opportunities for adventure.
The foundation supports high-impact initiatives that focus on:
- Protecting and restoring ecosystems critical to biodiversity.
- Combating climate change by supporting renewable energy and carbon reduction solutions.
- Advancing clean energy projects that ensure a sustainable future.
- Partnering with communities to strengthen resilience and ensure that conservation efforts benefit people as well as the planet.
By bringing Nero into this leadership role, Rivian is signaling its intent to elevate the Rivian Foundation’s global impact and scale its philanthropic footprint. His expertise in grantmaking and strategic partnerships is expected to strengthen the foundation’s ability to drive measurable change in conservation and sustainability.
Rivian’s Corporate Commitment to Sustainability
Beyond its foundation, Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) has built its reputation as an innovative American automaker focused on electric vehicles, software, and services. Its mission extends well beyond designing cars; the company is committed to addressing the entire lifecycle of transportation, from energy usage to environmental impact.
Rivian designs and assembles its vehicles in the United States and sells directly to both consumer and commercial markets. Its vehicles are engineered to serve diverse purposes, from family adventures in rugged environments to electrified fleet solutions for businesses. Regardless of the application, Rivian vehicles embody a common mission: to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation while preserving the natural world.
The company’s alignment of its sustainability agenda with philanthropic initiatives through the Rivian Foundation reflects a holistic approach—one in which innovation in clean technology and conservation-focused giving work hand-in-hand.
