Noel Perry is a businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Next 10, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that educates, engages and empowers Californians to improve the state’s future. Next 10 is focused on innovation and the intersection between the economy and the environment. The organization creates tools and provides information that fosters a deeper understanding of the critical issues affecting all Californians.

In 1991, Noel founded Baccharis Capital Inc., one of the first socially responsible venture capital funds. He has backed multiple business successes like the interactive educational company Leap Frog and the organic baby food company Earth’s Best. Noel is the proud father of five sons and his concern about the future of the state led to the establishment of Next 10 in 2003.

Next 10 has released several groundbreaking reports including the annual California Green Innovation Index, which analyzes key economic and environmental indicators that document the role innovation plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy. Other nonpartisan Next 10 research has explored current state issues such as cap and trade, electricity pricing, the state’s clean economy jobs and businesses, and cleantech investment.

Next 10 also creates innovative online tools to engage Californians in critical state issues. Next 10 produces the California Budget Challenge, a budget simulation with over 350,000 users, and the California Carbon Challenge, which allows users to make decisions on how to reduce carbon emissions in California. Next 10 created Compare50.org, which allows users to interact with over 60 data sets on economic performance and compare that data across all 50 states. Next 10 also produces California Choices with academic partners to equip Californians with a better understanding of California’s ballot measures.

Noel is a member of the California College of the Arts Board of Trustees and its past Chairman, a member of the Public Policy Institute of California’s (PPIC) Statewide Leadership Council, and is an Advisory Board Member of the Santa Clara University Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. In 2003, Noel founded 100 Families Oakland (now 100 Families Alameda County) to help strengthen disadvantaged neighborhoods through intergenerational art making.

Noel is a former Peace Corps volunteer where he built water projects in rural Yemeni villages. Noel holds a BA from the University of Rhode Island, an MBA from George Washington University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).