FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alonza Robertson / Solar One Communications Manager

                     M: 212.920.1679 E: alonza@solar1.org

New York, N.Y. – February 7, 2024 – Solar One, a leading green energy nonprofit in New York City, is proud to announce a transformative shift in its Board of Directors, marked by the appointment of new executive leaders and the addition of eight esteemed members. This strategic move underscores Solar One’s commitment to advancing environmental K-12 education, clean energy workforce development, and expanding access to solar and renewable energy for urban households.

New Executive Leadership: Thor Thors Takes the Helm as Chair

Solar One is thrilled to introduce Thor Thors as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Thors, a sixth-generation New Yorker, brings a wealth of experience from his 25-year career as a commercial and residential architect, new development executive and real estate broker. With creativity and organizational skills, Thor is a longtime board member who has led Solar One’s strategic planning initiatives and overseen, from the board perspective, every phase of the programming, design and construction planning for Solar One’s new environmental center building at Stuyvesant Cove Park.

“Every day, Solar One’s center in Long Island City is humming with green workforce training, job fairs, certification classes, teacher training, as well as coordination of rooftop solar technical assistance,” Thors said. “For 20 years Solar One has been persistently building their partner network and capabilities. Now in 2024 we are growing at 25 percent per year, (we) are the green workforce partner for the New York Climate Exchange and are building our new environmental education center at 23rd Street and the East River in Manhattan.

“Solar One is a very effective catalyst for the urban energy transformation and the new green economy. We look forward to working with many new stakeholders as New York becomes a resilient, sustainable city,” he said.

Joining Thors in steering Solar One’s vision is the newly appointed Vice Chair, Heather Beaudoin. As an established entrepreneur and CEO of Beaudoin & Company, Beaudoin brings a wealth of experience in strategic government relations. Her work in clean technology, microgrid development, and disaster recovery projects aligns seamlessly with Solar One’s mission. Beaudoin is recognized as one of City & State’s 100 Most Powerful Women and is a passionate advocate for environmental justice, labor, civil rights, and gender and racial equity.

Eight Accomplished Professionals Join the Board

Solar One welcomes eight new board members, each selected for their expertise and dedication to sustainable practices. The new members, Christopher Casey, Tim DeSieno, Lee Anne Hagel, Rishie Kumar, Valerie G. Lewis, Anna Malhari, Dan Nalawade and Jeff Sullivan, will serve three-year terms starting this past November/December 2023.

  • Christopher Casey – Senior Attorney in the Climate & Clean Energy Program at National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), driving initiatives in New York’s renewable energy and clean transportation sectors.
  • Tim DeSieno – Global Director of Distressed Debt and Senior Investment Manager at Omni Bridgeway, offering three decades of expertise in law and institutional investment.
  • Lee Anne Hagel – Responsible Investment Credit Analyst at APG Asset Management, specializing in climate-related financial considerations and ESG advisory.
  • Rishie Kumar – Executive Director at JPMorgan, overseeing the bank’s North American corporate metals and agriculture portfolio.
  • Valerie G. Lewis – Executive Director of Third Street Music School Settlement, a passionate advocate for arts education accessibility in New York City.
  • Anna Malhari – Chief Operating Officer for Veris Residential, a leader in sustainable real estate with a focus on ESG endeavors.
  • Dan Nalawade – a former GE executive and co-founder of Matrix Financing Solutions, brings 40 years of global business expertise. Serving on various boards and advising multiple companies, he drives impactful business growth, customer experience, and sustainable energy solutions.
  • Jeff Sullivan – Vice President at Alloy, overseeing architectural design with a focus on sustainability in urban redevelopment projects.

Find each of the new board members’ full bios here.

About Solar One

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, Solar One is a non-profit organization committed to creating a sustainable future through environmental education and clean energy initiatives. The organization’s programs, including the Green Design Lab and Green Workforce, have received acclaim from the U.S. Department of Energy, Citi Foundation’s Community Progress Makers, and United Laboratories (UL).

For more information about Solar One’s programs and initiatives, visit.solar1.org.

Media inquiries can be directed to Alonza Robertson, Solar One Communications Manager, at alonza@solar1.org or 212.920.1679 mobile.

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