The Green Light

From working alongside then Senator John Kerry while fighting for better fuel standards to founding & leading the first ever trade organization to represent the entire cleantech industry, Heather Zichal, CEO of American Clean Power Association (ACP), has a lot to be proud of. Catherine spoke with Heather about her career journey in policy & cleantech; ACP’s 1st anniversary; ACP’s ability to help get the infrastructure bill passed; & the significance of the Build Back Better Act, including a robust plan to transition fossil fuel workers to the cleantech industry.What’s most impressive about Heather is her humility, never having imagined she would transition from a small town in Iowa to working in the White House, & her dedication to paying it forward in every way she can, including by doubling the women on ACP’s Board.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

Sunrun, the leading home solar panel and battery storage company in the U.S., successfully launched its internal upskilling program, PowerU, as well as recently became the first national solar company to achieve 100% pay parity. Catherine recently spoke with Sejal Patel Daswani, former CHRO & current Advisor to the Chief People Officer at Sunrun, about these accomplishments; the numerous diversity & culture focused awards Sunrun has received; & the specific advice Sunrun has for cleantech companies looking to both hire & retain top diverse talent - from launching PowerU to investing in diversity, inclusion & belonging to forming Employee Resources Groups to pay parity on wage-setting.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

In this Green Light episode, Catherine is joined by the Chief Product Officer of Voltus, Dana Guernsey. Voltus became the first DER monetization platform to be interconnected to every wholesale market in North America, all while increasing their female staff from 20% to 40%.Dana shares insights on her recent big-box retailer project, the value of male mentorship, and the importance of intentionality when it comes to hiring diverse staff members. She also describes why it’s crucial to hire talent for your business that is the winning combination of bright, gritty, & mission-driven.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

This week on The Green Light, Catherine is joined by the award-winning brains behind the largest onshore wind project to date - Orsted VP of Development, Jennifer Goodwillie & VP of Origination and Power Marketing, Melissa Peterson.The female duo shares the exciting details behind the 367 MW wind project in Texas and what it takes to succeed in energy development today. Touching on the value of mentorship, women in renewables, and how to navigate a more circuitous career path within the industry.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech?Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

What is it like to be on the legal and development side of cleantech? In this episode, Catherine speaks with Becky Diffen, a Norton Rose Fulbright Partner and former project developer to get an idea of what it’s like to oversee gigawatt size solar portfolios. Becky reflects on the challenges and trends she has faced over the years with projects, some notable deals include 7X’s 9 GW portfolio of solar purchased by bp, as well as the offshore joint venture between National Grid & RWE. We also speak about what the future holds for Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy, the value of mentorship, and inclusive initiatives that have helped lift both business and individuals.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

What role does hydrogen play in a fully decarbonized, electrified future for all? This is a question the Navajo Nation and its leaders have been increasingly focused on.This week, Catherine discusses the recent hydrogen project with Dory Peters of Big Navajo Energy & William McCabe of Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company. In partnership with Siemens & Power Innovations International Inc, they address the fact that Navajo Nation households make up 75% of all unelectrified households in the United States. Dory also speaks of his work to provide distributed solar & wind systems to local Navajo homes. Preventing families living within a half-mile of the nearest power line from paying upwards of $60,000 per mile to connect to the grid. Are you looking for your next role in climate tech?Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

In this episode, Catherine speaks with Emilie Wangerman, Senior Vice President & Head of Business Development and M&A at Lightsource bp. Discussing how the company was able to double its solar power project development pipeline by supporting bp in acquiring an additional 9 GW pipeline of projects from 7X Energy, Inc. Spread across 12 U.S states, the projects will generate enough clean energy to power about 1.7 million U.S. homes. With great momentum and growth, Lightsource bp ensures rapid expansion all while maintaining a successful recruitment program that is mindful, inclusive, and diverse.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

How have diversity programs affected the cleantech industry? What organizations are expanding the conversation around equity and inclusion?  In this episode, we speak with Liz Lachowitzer of Mortenson, as she reflects on her newly launched program, 'Sisters of the Traveling Hard Hat', which was designed to spotlight women who are leading and developing projects in the cleantech space - helping to pave the way forward for women and collaborate with like-minded organizations like Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). Mortenson has launched additional impactful diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives, such as hiring an unbiased, third-party consultancy; launching Construction Inclusion Week; & creating affinity groups. Catherine will also discuss the impactful impression that these types of organizations have on mentor and mentee relationships. Reflecting on Liz’s experience with the mentors in her life and how those relationships have shaped her professional career today.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com

What can your company learn from BlueWave Solar, which has been ranked alongside Patagonia as one of the most impactful companies in the world? From their B Corp status to their own initiative against racism and hate, BlueWave Solar is taking matters into their own hands and paving a path forward, towards a more equitable workplace. In this episode, Catherine speaks with BlueWave’s CEO, Trevor Hardy, & VP of Marketing, Safiyyah Khan, about their recommendations for implementing successful diversity, equity, inclusion & justice (DEIJ) initiatives, ranging from forming an internal Advisory Council to partnering with external organizations. They also discuss their outlook on mentorship and the connection between diversity and impactful leadership. Seeing success in their own agrivoltaic projects as they support the triple bottom line. Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry leading cleantech companies first post new job openings, from development to finance to marketing, by checking out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment Agency US Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: 44(0)7538921422Email: cathering@dylan-green.com

In this episode, we congratulate Katie Mehnert, CEO & Founder of ALLY Energy on becoming an Inaugural Member of Greentown Labs Houston. Greentown Labs is North America’s largest incubator for climate-focused startups & recently chose ALLY Energy, a rapidly growing, digital company focused on diversifying the clean energy & traditional energy workforces, as one of the first members of the recently opened Greentown Labs Houston.The Green Light podcast is inspired by such work. In addition to leading & starting ALLY, Katie is also a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Equity in Energy Program Ambassador & Founder of Lean In Energy. Katie will speak about why she founded ALLY, her experience with her first investor, & how she is helping former fossil fuel employees transition to a career in clean energy.Are you looking for your next role in climate tech? Join the largest growing network of cleantech professionals and be the first to know about when industry-leading cleantech companies post new job openings. From development to finance to marketing, check out our website: dylan-green.com/latest-jobs.Dylan Green | Clean Energy Recruitment AgencyUS Phone: +1 (917) 287-6826UK Phone: +44(0)7538921422Email: catherine@dylan-green.com