Benji Backer is the founder and president of the American Conservation Coalition, the largest conservative environmental organization. Before he founded ACC at the University of Washington, Backer began his career in conservative politics well before he could vote — volunteering for campaigns in his home state of Wisconsin. He has represented a right-of-center environmental viewpoint nationally, including testifying among youth climate activists like Greta Thunberg in Congress. He has been named to Fortune 40 Under 40, Forbes 30 Under 30, GreenBiz 30 Under 30, and Grist 50. ABC News called him one of “5 youth climate activists you need to know.” A frequent contributor to multiple national media outlets, Backer is a board member of numerous organizations, including BridgeUSA and the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum. He also serves on the American Academy of Arts & Sciences' Climate Change Commission.