Our History

In 2010, Caroline Lewis, a passionate educator and high school principal, answered a call from local scientists: amplify the climate change conversation. While scientists stressed the urgency of the crisis, public awareness lagged far behind. With her expertise in engaging disengaged audiences, Caroline set out to address climate literacy, inspire action, and develop climate leadership.

With support from Dr. F. Lynn Leverett, Katy Sorenson, Mario Facella and others, Caroline founded The CLEO Institute in 2010—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on climate education, advocacy, and engagement. CLEO (Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities) was designed to connect with diverse audiences, from concerned citizens to policymakers, bridging the gap between science and society and amplifying public engagement.

As CLEO’s founder and current Senior Advisor, Caroline has championed climate literacy, climate justice, and bold action alongside a dynamic team driving transformative change. Her leadership earned her national recognition, including being named a White House Climate Resilience Champion of Change in 2013. She has also been celebrated as a Global Change Maker by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and highlighted by Time Magazine as one of 31 individuals making a difference in the South in 2018. In 2019, she was featured in National Geographic’s documentary From Paris to Pittsburgh.

Recognizing CLEO’s growing scope and the need for expanded leadership, Caroline entrusted the organization’s future to Yoca Arditi-Rocha in 2019. Under Yoca’s leadership, CLEO has undergone a remarkable transformation. With a significantly growing budget, she scaled CLEO’s operations,, expanding the team, and significantly broadened its statewide and national reach. CLEO’s work has been elevated to new heights, fostering strategic partnerships, and amplifying CLEO’s recognition as a trusted climate leader.

Today, The CLEO Institute stands at the forefront of the climate movement, with an unwavering commitment to solutions-focused advocacy, innovative awareness campaigns, science-based educational programs, and empowering communities to tackle the climate crisis. Under Yoca’s vision and with a strong leadership team, CLEO continues to drive bold climate action with urgency and purpose.