Erica Mackie is developing clean-technology projects that benefit communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

For generations, low-income communities — and communities of color and Indigenous communities in particular — have been disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. As the CEO of GRID Alternatives, Erica Mackie is working to develop and implement renewable energy solutions that center the needs of those vulnerable communities.

The nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, GRID provides cost-free solar installations for low-income households, hands-on solar training to connect people to clean energy jobs, and community-based solar project development and implementation. Since its founding in 2004, GRID’s “people first” model has put money back into the pockets of more than 20,000 households and 156 community facilities, like affordable housing buildings, while helping launch 30,000 new careers in solar energy.

Through their climate technology work, workforce development, and state and federal policy advocacy, Erica and GRID are working to create a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.