

The Green Light
Dylan Green
Transforming business through talent. Helping professionals find their career passion within the clean energy and technology space.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 4, 2024 • 17min
Ep. 71 | Arevon’s $2B in Project Financing, BESS Resiliency Projects, & Senior Women Leaders | Lydia Li of Arevon
Arevon has been all over the news lately with a handful of major announcements, including its $350 million raise from Blackstone for an 800 MWh energy storage project with Southern California Edison, Rosendin & Tesla. In total, Arevon has secured over $2 billion in clean energy project financing over the last 4 months alone. In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Lydia Li, Director of Investments at Arevon, about Arevon’s recent achievements, the significant impact of the transferability provision within the IRA, & the company’s continued growth as a leading independent power producer. Lydia also shared about how she transitioned into renewables from oil & gas, as well as why she thinks it’s necessary to have more senior women leaders in climate finance & how this can be accomplished. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs.

Mar 18, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 70 | How Pine Gate Grew its Team 3x While Ensuring Diversity, & Resources for LGBTQIA+ in Cleantech | Eric Shangle of Pine Gate Renewables
How was Pine Gate Renewables able to grow its team by 3x during the pandemic while also ensuring nearly half of its team remained people who identify as women? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Eric Shangle, a Navy Veteran & Veterans Advanced Energy Project Fellow, about the company’s myriad successful people & culture programs, including its work toward greater pay transparency. Eric also spoke about the company’s PRIDE Resource Group, & clean energy career advice & resources for those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Eric shared about Pine Gate’s involvement with the Renewables Forward DEIJ initiative, as well as its support of the Arbor Foundation & GivePower, a non-profit focused on delivering clean energy & water within developing nations. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs.

Mar 1, 2024 • 31min
Ep. 69 | The Largest U.S. Community Solar Provider’s $2B Expansion & Environmental Justice | Juan Parra of Nexamp
In this Green Light podcast episode, Catherine spoke with Juan Parra at Nexamp, the nation’s largest community solar provider, about the company’s $2B expansion plan & new, second HQ in Chicago. Juan also shared about Nexamp’s purchase of 1.5 GW of American-made solar modules from Heliene - the largest ever community solar module order in history. He shared about how he transitioned from volunteering with WE ACT into a long-term career in community solar, & about the most effective strategies for engaging local communities & leveraging IRA incentives. Juan also shared about Nexamp’s impactful Solar + Storage Construction Rotational Program, Solar Sunrise, which is providing members of local communities with opportunities to enter the industry & grow within Nexamp. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs.

Feb 18, 2024 • 35min
Ep. 68 | Scaling Green Hydrogen, Allyship & Work Life Balance | Linette Casey of Siemens Energy
From starting out in gas turbine logistics to now leading sales for decarbonization initiatives in the Americas, Linette Casey has seen it all in her 23 years at Siemens Energy. And it all started with a Girl Scout trip. In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Linette about her transition to renewables as well as the company’s green hydrogen partnership with Air Liquide. Linette also shared about how she overcame significant challenges in her career, such as having to prioritize family & remote work during a crisis, which she successfully navigated with the support of her male allies & colleagues. Beyond her achievements in clean energy, Linette has been incredibly dedicated to mentoring less experienced women in our industry. Through her work with the Boston Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network, Linette was able to help implement a brand new scholarship program for young women who plan to pursue a career in clean energy. She has also worked closely with Erin Twamley & the YMCA to help educate young women about the types of clean energy jobs available to them. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Feb 13, 2024 • 26min
Ep. 67 | The DOE's $400 Billion in Cleantech Investments & Tribal Energy Finance | Arpita Bhattacharyya, DOE LPO
Did you know that the DOE Loan Programs Office’s authority for clean energy commercialization increased tenfold - from $40 billion to $400 billion dollars - due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & the Inflation Reduction Act? In this Green Light podcast episode, Catherine McLean spoke with Arpita Bhattacharyya, Chief Climate Officer at the LPO, about the organization’s strategic priorities - from green hydrogen to EVs to geothermal to wind. They also spoke about the DOE’s Tribal Energy Finance Program & focus on environmental justice. Arpita also shared about her transition from project development at SunPower, to launching low emissions food at Impossible Foods, to the DOE.Arpita shared that the LPO has already deployed $20 billion in closed loans & conditional commitments, including through exciting projects involving Longpath Technologies, NextEra Energy, Ormat Technologies, Cyrq Energy, Global Infrastructure Partners, Blueoval sk LLC, Sunnova, Exelon, Ford, Eos Energy Enterprises, & Ultium Cells. If you’re interested in applying for funding with the LPO, learn more: http://tinyurl.com/chz6ea7u. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Dec 4, 2023 • 27min
Ep. 66 | Energy Equity & Navigating Your Career as an 'Outsider' | Elizabeth Kaiga of DNV
As an American with Kenyan heritage and a multicultural upbringing that includes formative years in India, Elizabeth Kaiga brings a highly unique & necessary lens to the energy transition. Our CEO spoke with Elizabeth, DNV’s Chief Commercial Officer for Energy Systems in North America, at her office in Virginia. They spoke about her unconventional career path in the energy industry - starting from when she interned for the United Nations Environmental Programme, to then working at several global professional service firms. We especially loved hearing from Elizabeth about how she has successfully navigated her career as someone with a multicultural background & who has often been an ‘outsider’, as well as about the new energy equity offerings DNV is now providing to its clients. Elizabeth has been on the Board of WRISE for 7 years now & shared more with Catherine about the ways in which the organization is directly impacting lives through fellowships, job boards, mentoring, networking opportunities & its speakers bureau. She also highlighted the strong impact of WRISE’s corporate sponsors, including Google, Edison Energy, SOLV, RWE, Cordelio Power, MCE, Orsted, Qcells, Lightsource bp, Copia Power, AES, Longroad Energy and DNV. Elizabeth has also been on the Board of Solar Sister, a nonprofit that has helped over 10,000 women in Sub-Saharan Africa (an emerging market) gain access to clean energy solutions in off-grid communities and create clean energy businesses. Thank you, Elizabeth, for all that you do for our industry! If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Nov 13, 2023 • 34min
Ep. 65 | A Women-Owned VC Fund that is Enabling the Digitalization of Climate Solutions | Allison Myers of Buoyant Ventures
What was it like to close a $76 million climate tech VC fund backed by Microsoft & Bank of America? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Allison Myers, one of the founders of the 100% women-owned firm, Buoyant Ventures, about this, as well as how Buoyant is advancing global sustainability initiatives by enabling startups to digitalize climate solutions. Think: software, AI, & machine learning. Some of Buoyant’s portfolio companies include Audette, which is streamlining the process of decarbonizing buildings, & Reeldata, which is creating sustainable aquaculture through AI. Allison also spoke about her transition into climate tech from healthcare & consulting & why she loves running a climate-focused VC firm.If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Nov 6, 2023 • 23min
Ep. 64 | Sunnova’s $3B Loan Guarantee from the DOE & Working with Tribal Nations | Meghan Nutting of Sunnova
Did you know Sunnova recently secured a historic $3 billion partial loan guarantee from the Department of Energy? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Meghan Nutting, EVP of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Sunnova, from the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forum. Meghan spoke about how Sunnova's Project Hestia will help reduce electricity bills for low income families. She also spoke about Sunnova’s recent partnership with FranklinWH Energy Storage on a first-of-its-kind 208V compliant battery to help deploy energy storage for multi-family homes. Meghan also shared some inspiring stories about Sunnova’s work with Tribal Nations, including through the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy & projects with Empowered by Light.From a Theater major to Deputy Press Secretary for a Senator to a World Bank Consultant & now a solar policy expert, Meghan shared about her transition into the clean energy industry. She also shed some light on net metering; how local, state & federal governments are incentivizing faster solar permitting times; & the impact of the IRA on supply chain challenges. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Oct 23, 2023 • 31min
Ep. 63 | Transitioning from a Policy Wonk to a Solar CEO & SEIA's Board Election | Joy Seitz of American Solar & Roofing
In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Joy Seitz, CEO at American Solar & Roofing, about recent solar policy in Arizona & the SEIA Board Election for which Joy has been endorsed by the SEIA Nominating Committee. Arizona is now ranked #5 in the U.S. in terms of installed solar capacity, & with Joy’s 15 years of experience advocating for distributed solar generation in the state, she has lived through all of the ups & downs that it took to get there. Joy also shared how, as CEO, she vets her suppliers to ensure they align with her values like being DEIJ-focused, accountable & kind. Some of her longtime partners that have & continue to align with her company’s values include SMA, Qcells, Malarkey Roofing & BayWa. Joy shared how she is passionate about giving back to the community, including through her work with SEIA, the Environmental Defense Fund & ASU Innovation Open, & why it is critical to do so when in a position of power. Learn more about Joy & American Solar & Roofing: www.americansolarandroofing.com/sustainjoy.If you’re a SEIA member company, you’re able to vote for Joy in the SEIA Board Election! Someone in your company has received the email with the link. Unsure of who is receiving the email within your organization? Contact membership@seia.org.If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Oct 2, 2023 • 14min
Ep. 62 | From White House Intern to COO, Inflation Reduction Act Adders, & Remote vs. Hybrid Work | Zoe Berkery of CleanCapital
What was it like to transition from a White House intern to eventually become the COO of CleanCapital, which now manages 250 MW of clean energy assets in over 20 states & 150+ sites? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Zoe Berkery about this, CleanCapital’s recent $500 million funding round led by Canada’s ManuLife & why more senior women leaders are needed to accelerate the energy transition. Zoe also spoke about CleanCapital’s acquisition of BQ Energy, adders in the Inflation Reduction Act for brownfield projects, remote versus hybrid work, & CleanCapital’s Allyship Committee & DEIJ-focused internship program. This episode was recorded at the SunCast PowerUp Live stage at RE+, as you may hear some conference attendees in the background. If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.


