Early Life and Education
David Kelley Kieve arrived on the scene on December 10, 1977, in Washington, D.C., just as the capital was settling into its post–Bicentennial groove. Now 47 years old, he remains something of an enigma when it comes to academic credentials—no alma mater is officially listed in public profiles, which only adds to his mystique.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 10, 1977 |
| Age (as of June 20, 2025) | 47 years |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C. (likely) |
| Education | Not publicly specified |
Kieve’s career implies policy and people abilities despite the lack of a certificate. He must have been to enough seminars and workshops to get honorary degrees.
Political campaigns and prominence
His ascent began in earnest during the 2020 presidential cycle, where Kieve served as Director of Early States and Climate Engagement for Joe Biden’s campaign. Tasked with building support in the nation’s earliest nominating contests, he:
- Led climate messaging in Nevada, helping secure a pivotal second-place finish that fueled Biden’s momentum.
- Coordinated outreach to 100+ grassroots organizations, ensuring that environmental issues stayed front and center.
- Organized 45 public forums on clean energy across key states between March and June 2020.
| Year | Role | Key Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Director of Early States & Climate Engagement | 100+ partner organizations 45 public forums |
Kieve’s ability to combine policy depth and street action was noted. Eco-minded voters seeking decision-making power turned to him as a strategist.
White House and Government Roles
Fresh off the campaign trail, Kieve joined the Biden administration in January 2021. As Director of Public Engagement at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), he:
- Oversaw 12 major stakeholder coalitions, from urban planners to tribal leaders.
- Conducted 30+ briefings with congressional staff on the American Jobs Plan’s green provisions in 2021.
- Managed outreach for the administration’s pledge to achieve 50% clean electricity by 2030.
| Tenure | Position | Major Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2021–Feb 2022 | Director of Public Engagement, CEQ | 12 stakeholder coalitions 30+ Congressional briefings |
He made complex policy terminology sound like catchphrases, no easy task when your beat is carbon caps and methane traps.
Leadership at EDF Action
On February 1, 2022, Kieve took the reins as President of EDF Action (Environmental Defense Action Fund). Under his leadership, the organization has:
- Directed over $25 million in advocacy spending during the 2022 midterms, targeting climate legislation champions.
- Launched 18 state-level campaigns to advance clean energy standards in the same cycle.
- Expanded EDF Action’s footprint from 20 to 35 staffers by mid-2023, marking a 75% growth in headcount.
| Since | Role | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022–Present | President, EDF Action | $25M+ in advocacy spending 18 state campaigns 75% staff growth |
Kieve’s data-driven strategy and strong messaging have won legislative battles at EDF Action, and he caused controversy by saying “even the planet could use a good press agent.”
Family Ties and Personal Life
Behind every green crusader is a supportive cast. For Kieve, that’s his wife, Kate Bedingfield, and their two children. Here’s the Kieve–Bedingfield clan in a nutshell:
| Relation | Name | Profession / Role | Key Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Katherine “Kate” Bedingfield | Partner, Brunswick Group; former White House Communications Director | Married Jan 12, 2013 |
| Child 1 | (Name private) | Private | Born circa 2015 |
| Child 2 | (Name private) | Private | Born circa 2017 |
| Mother | Anne Kieve | Interior Designer (San Francisco) | — |
| Father | Loren Kieve | Lawyer (Private Practice, San Francisco) | — |
| Sister | Kate Kieve | Social Media Coordinator, WET Designs (Los Angeles) | — |
Few can balance two high-profile occupations and two babies without mayhem, but Kieve and Bedingfield have.
Career Milestones Summary
Here are Kieve’s career milestones that illustrate his journey:
| Year | Organization | Title/Role | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Hilltop Public Solutions | Founding Partner | Launched a political consulting and public affairs firm |
| 2020 | Biden Campaign | Director, Early States & Climate Engagement | 45 forums, 100+ orgs |
| 2021 | White House (CEQ) | Director of Public Engagement | 30+ briefings, 12 coalitions |
| 2022 | EDF Action | President | $25M+ advocacy, 18 campaigns |
Each pivot feels like levelling up in an RPG, except the boss bouts require carbon policy instead of dragons.
Net Worth Realities
Kieve’s finances are private, unlike renowned CEOs and athletes. Disclosures show:
- No official net worth listed anywhere.
- Income sources include nonprofit salary, government service, and consulting fees.
- Professional trajectory suggests a six-figure annual income, but specifics—like how many zeros follow the “1”—are private.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Public Net Worth | Not available |
| Estimated Income | Likely six figures (private) |
He prefers rescuing trees to counting them—at least on his balance sheet—like a true environmentalist.
Recent Developments
The limelight has lessened since Kieve’s EDF Action appointment, yet certain headlines remain:
- February 2022: Named EDF Action President.
- 2023: His wife Kate Bedingfield joins Brunswick Group as a partner, hinting they might run a two-person consulting dynasty someday.
- 2024–25: Quiet on the personal front; no major announcements beyond routine advocacy and fundraising cycles.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | Kieve becomes EDF Action President |
| 2023 | Bedingfield joins Brunswick Group |
| 2024–2025 | Maintaining low public profile |
David prefers “Silent Achiever” to “Loud Mouth”—a rare choice in modern politics.
FAQ
Who is David Kelley Kieve?
Political strategist and environmentalist David Kelley Kieve leads EDF Action as president.
His part in the Biden campaign?
He organised 45 climate forums and partnered with over 100 organisations as Director of Early States and Climate Engagement.
He joined the White House Council on Environmental Quality when?
He was CEQ’s Director of Public Engagement from January 2021 to February 2022.
What is EDF Action?
Nonprofit Environmental Defence Action Fund (EDF Action) advocates for climate and environmental policy.
Who is he married to?
He married former White House Communications Director and Brunswick Group partner Kate Bedingfield.
How many children does he have?
Two children, born in 2015 and 2017, are his secret.
What is known about his net worth?
No net wealth is known, but nonprofit, government, and consulting income is likely in the six figures.
What are his parents’ professions?
His mother, Anne Kieve, is an interior designer, and his father, Loren Kieve, is a San Francisco private lawyer.
