Wendy Abrams ’90 MBA

When caring turns into a calling

Wendy Abrams ’90 MBA didn’t set out to be an environmentalist. But today, she’s a leading force for climate action — mobilizing ideas, people and policy to help preserve the planet for future generations by co-founding the Eleven Eleven Foundation. 

It all started in 2001 when Wendy came across a TIME magazine article detailing the looming, long-term risks of climate change. The piece sparked a deep sense of urgency. Compelled by the implications for her children and future generations, she stepped into action. 

“I thought, ‘This is my children’s lifetime.’ It was almost instinctual,” she recalls. “In some ways, it was liberating because it wasn’t about me. I was willing to do things I would never otherwise have imagined.” 

What began as personal concern has since evolved into a decades-long commitment to climate advocacy. Today, Wendy is recognized as a dedicated environmental leader and change-maker; someone who pairs bold ideas with the business acumen and determination to move the needle. 

Driving impact through the Eleven Eleven Foundation 

A Kellogg MBA equipped Wendy with the tools to turn concern into strategy. “At the end of the day, much of this work is about ideas and influence — marketing a better future,” she says. “And constantly asking, what’s next?” 

Today, the Eleven Eleven Foundation partners with bold thinkers and frontline innovators across disciplines and geographies. Their work ranges from supporting Indigenous women in the Amazon fighting for land rights, to supporting The Earthshot Prize in spotlighting innovators addressing the climate crisis, to collaborating with Hollywood storytellers to include climate narratives into pop culture.  

“We don’t just want to be check writers,” Wendy notes. “We want to be thought partners, rolling up our sleeves to get deeply involved in the strategy and implementation.” 

The antidote to inaction

Wendy’s advocacy knows no bounds. “I don’t think I've ever seen Wendy give up on anything,” says Megan Scarsella, Wendy’s colleague and the executive director of the Eleven Eleven Foundation. “She has enough determination and passion that she’ll always get it done.” 

Through creative platforms like Cool Globes, an international public art initiative highlighting climate solutions, Wendy has helped bring environmental messages to audiences around the world from Chicago to Copenhagen. 

She continues to fight for a healthier, more sustainable future with the Eleven Eleven Foundation, both for her children and her new granddaughter. 

“Our legacy is going to be our kids and our grandkids and how they treat other people and how they treat the world,” says Jim Abrams, Wendy’s husband and co-founder of the foundation. 

Empowering the environmentalists of tomorrow

As a member of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees and the Kellogg Executive Women’s Network, Wendy hopes to leverage her influence to empower and educate future climate activists. She and Jim established the Abrams Climate Academy at Kellogg in 2025 because they know business leaders will play a key role in addressing climate change and the economic impact it will have on a global scale. 

“You can be a capitalist and an environmentalist,” Wendy says. “Those are not at odds, nor should they be. The markets will drive change and innovation.”  

In 2025, Kellogg presented Wendy with the Schaffner Award to recognize her continuing efforts in the climate space. This award honors Kellogg leaders who have made significant contributions to society and exemplify the school’s values.

“Kellogg produces future leaders, and our hope is that the people who are going to be leading the institutions in our society are going to care about the things that matter,” Wendy says. “And I can’t think of anything that matters more.”