Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  October 16, 2024

Smart Energy Decisions Presents 2024 DEI Impact Awards Winners

Smart Energy Decisions presented the 2024 DEI Impact Awards at Net Zero Forum Fall on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Westin Westminster in Westminster, Colorado, to a variety of organizations and individuals to honor efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in clean energy.

“The challenges we face in the fight against climate change are multifaceted and complex,” said Susanne Fratzscher, Vice President of Strategic Solutions at Sol Systems (left), the exclusive sponsor of this year’s award program. “To address these challenges effectively, we must tap into the full spectrum of human potential. This is why we are working to create opportunities, advance equity, and foster an inclusive environment where innovation and collaboration can thrive.”

Smart Energy Decisions created the DEI Impact Awards in 2023. For the current awards, nominations were once again accepted for DEI projects and industry influencers from commercial, industrial, institutional, and government organizations across a variety of categories, and winners were selected by a panel of judges representing energy customer peers and industry experts.

 “As a leader in the global expositions and conference industry, Diversified recognizes our responsibility to drive discussions and actively advance the principles of racial equity, social justice, and inclusion,” said Janice Rogers, Corporate Vice President of Human Resources and ESG at Diversified Communications, Smart Energy Decisions’ parent company (right). “We believe that our communities — the Diversified organization, those where we live and work, and the global events industry — are richer, stronger, and more dynamic when they are diverse, equitable, and welcoming.”

Meet the winners of our 2024 DEI Impact Awards:

Catalyst for Change: Adrian Medrano

A DEI Impact Catalyst for Change Award was conferred to Adrian Medrano, President, AMP Carriers (left), a minority-owned and operated business with a goal to become Net Zero by 2040.

In 2023, AMP began implementation of a sustainability program for its employees and fleet to meet the needs of its customers, and under Medrano’s leadership, the company is working toward electrifying its commercial truck fleet. The company is currently working on becoming a member of the UN Global Compact and incorporating the UN's 17 Sustainable Goals. According to the nomination, Medrano has prioritized employee training in the company’s sustainability programs and “combines the importance of being good stewards of the environment with good business sense.”  AMP is currently working on becoming a member of the UN Global Compact and incorporating the UN's 17 Sustainable Goals.

“This award recognizes Adrian's remarkable dedication to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into our organization's energy and sustainability operations,” shared Ismael Moran of AMP Carriers (right), who accepted the award on behalf of the recipient. “He has been a driving force behind our efforts to ensure that diverse perspectives are not just welcome, but also integral to our success.”

Catalyst for Change: Dana Clare Redden

Also a recipient of the DEI Impact Catalyst for Change Award was Dana Clare Redden, Founder and CEO, Solar Stewards, a passionate solar professional dedicated to the development of distributed generation solar globally.

Growing up in a small rust-belt town in western Pennsylvania, the environmental impacts of fossil fuels shaped Redden’s perspective on disenfranchised communities and those most vulnerable. Realizing a need for environmental justice and greater resources, Redden founded Solar Stewards, a social enterprise connecting corporate social responsibility initiatives with schools and universities, affordable and senior housing, places of worship, and nonprofits in marginalized communities. Redden is also the co-founder of BOSS: Black Owners of Solar Services.  

Redden volunteers on multiple committees dedicated to equitable renewable energy development including The Nature Conservancy, Clean Energy Buyers Alliance Standards Steering Committee, and the VOTE Solar Access and Equity Advisory Committee. She continues to work at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice and social entrepreneurship for communities worldwide.

“The Solar Stewards program seems like an amazing way to link REC buyers and sellers with a true focus on environmental justice,” one judge commented.

“Smart Energy Decisions has been an inspiration for me as a small business owner, particularly when we met during the racial reckoning a [few] years ago,” Redden (left) shared upon receiving her award. “This work isn't easy. Being an entrepreneur is certainly not easy, but it's moments like when I just let it soak in a little bit.”

Project/Initiative: Boston Medical Center Health System 

Boston Medical Center Health System's Clean Power Prescription received the DEI Impact Project/Initiative award for its pilot program enabling BMC providers to identify patients in need and reduce their utility bills using renewable energy. The program will support the physical, economic and environmental health of BMC patients and bring eligible low-income households the benefits of cleaner, less-expensive, renewable solar power.

To facilitate the program, BMC recently installed a 365-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its newly renovated administrative building in Boston. Through virtual net metering implanted with partner Eversource and the SMART program developed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, BMC is allocating energy credits to individual patient homes to reduce their electric bills.

One judge noted, “Providing economically challenged people with discounted electricity is amazing, noble, and exactly what we should be awarding. However, actually investing capital to build out the solar arrays and infrastructure on your own site is truly award material.”

In her nomination of the project, Dr. Anna Goldman, MD, Medicine – General Internal Medicine, noted, "BMC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is the thread that connects our community and is woven into our interactions and operations. While our work at the organizational level is a driving force behind our impact, the numerous innovative and successful initiatives that are generated by teams and departments throughout BMC carry impact even further as we do the daily work of making a positive difference in the world."

Project/Initiative: Pechanga Band of Indians

The second winner of the DEI Impact Project/Initiative Award was the Pechanga Band of Indians for their Monitor Program, which helps preserve and protect cultural resources throughout their aboriginal territory. Site monitors supervise the land, guided by traditional knowledge and ethical principles, and work with developers to protect important sites including pictographs, sacred areas and prehistoric locations.

In 2016, the tribe developed its first Climate Action Plan (CAP), addressing climate change impacts. The updated 2023 CAP includes community input and proposed projects to address findings related to climate change.

Pechanga is located at the end of the Southern California Electric radial line, where Pechanga Western Electric (PWE) experiences frequent curtailment and loss of power, as well as in California’s Tier 3 extreme fire threat zone. To meet tribal self-sufficiency, PWE purchased a turnkey battery-backed microgrid system from Shell Energy that will add low- or no-carbon energy sources and energy storage methods to the Pechanga Western Electric Grid.

“Pechanga Western Electric is very humbled to be able to accept this award,” said Pi-Ta Pitt, General Manager, Pechanga Western Electric (left). “We’re excited to continue decarbonizing as well as working to benefit the local community, and especially the tribal community.”

“PWE is not only helping their own tribe,” said one judge. “They are using their energy gains to provide energy and education and resiliency for their community through their scholarship programs and this new microgrid project.”

Team: General Motors

The Renewables & Energy Strategy Team at General Motors was honored as the recipient of the DEI Impact Team Award. Their nomination form showcased a long list of initiatives implemented by the Team as the company aspires to enable its employees, customers and partners of all backgrounds, identities and abilities to fully participate in GM’s all-electric future.

In 2023, GM made educational DEI training and resources available to more than 45,000 dealer team members to drive a more customer-centric experience. Through the establishment of the Minority Dealer Development program, GM actively cultivates a diverse dealer network that reflects the communities it serves and makes available the tools and resources to excel in the industry.  Since the program was announced, more than 1,100 GM dealers have enrolled, representing about a quarter of all GM dealers in North America, and 37K individuals gained awareness of and/or access to sustainable transportation solutions via GM’s Climate Fund.

GM also launched the Inclusion Advisory Board and established a Justice and Inclusion Fund with an initial commitment of $10 million to organizations that promote inclusion and racial justice.

“GM is, as always, a leader,” one judge shared. “Their efforts read like a case study of best practices for corporate sustainability.”

Rob Threlkeld, Director of Global Energy Strategy, General Motors (right), accepted the award on behalf of the Renewables & Energy Strategy Team. “It’s great to see this recognition for what GM has done through our employees, our communities, and our dealerships, as well as beyond that to diversifying our supplier mix,” Threlkeld said.

Main photo, from left to right: Dana Clare Redden, Solar Stewards; Jessica Medrano (accepting for Adrian Medrano), AMP Carriers; Pi-Ta Pitt, Pechanga Western Electric; Rob Threlkeld, General Motors.