Our Team
Nicole Sturzenberger
Director of Development
Nicole manages Elemental’s fundraising program, leading end-to-end proposal development—from solicitation to reporting to compliance—and building strategic partnerships with donors that fuel Elemental’s mission.
Connect on LinkedIn 
As Director of Development, Nicole designs the internal systems, narratives, and strategies that resource the organization and connect mission-aligned funders to Elemental’s portfolio of entrepreneurs deploying technologies that deliver lasting environmental and local impact in communities.
Based in California, Nicole brings both strategy and artistry to every proposal, campaign, and donor engagement. Working across teams, she integrates data, insights, and storytelling to translate complex programs into compelling cases for support that inspire both philanthropic and government funders and reinforce Elemental’s leadership in climate innovation.
Prior to Elemental
Before joining Elemental, Nicole spent 18+ years securing major gifts and grant funding for environmental organizations at the intersection of climate, food systems, and community resilience.
Most recently, Nicole served as Development Director at Work on Climate, where she secured the organization’s first foundation grant and major gifts, growing revenue tenfold in her first year. Prior to Work on Climate, she contributed to fundraising efforts at ReFED focused on scaling food waste solutions, including the creation of a rapid-response fundraising campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing over $3M in emergency funding to support food recovery efforts. And at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, she secured $8M in federal grants to support food access and local farmers, working closely with legislators and federal agencies.
Outside of the office
Outside of work, Nicole spends as much time as possible outdoors—surfing, skiing, and climbing with her family in Northern California. She finds joy in reading, traveling, and conversations that challenge ideas and spark curiosity. She lives in Village Homes, a neighborhood designed for community and environmental connection, and finds daily inspiration in its walking paths, orchards, and neighbors.