About

Mmakgantsi is the Executive Director and Board President of the People's Solar Energy Fund (PSEF). In her role as Executive Director, she works to support community-based organizations looking to access affordable capital for community-led clean energy projects. Mmakgantsi is an avid supporter of grassroots-led solutions and brings over a decade of experience building partnerships and supporting innovative clean energy models. In her previous role with an energy access public benefit corporation, Mmakgantsi managed strategic partnerships and contributed to the development of hybrid 'solar-internet' microgrid projects in last-mile communities. With a legal background, serving as an Associate for a global law firm in South Africa, Mmakgantsi has experience in project financing, which she applies in supporting innovative models to expand clean energy projects in marginalized communities. Mmakgantsi holds a Masters degree in Public Administration (specializing in Public and Non-Profit Management) from New York University, as well as an LLB degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is the mother of two and enjoys hiking, singing, learning about other cultures and playing a range of sports with family and friends.

Ceyda Durmaz Dogan is a local clean equitable energy advocate. She brings her diverse cultural and educational background to provide a unique perspective in solving problems. She has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Middle East Technical University in Turkey. After graduating from college, she got a one-year scholarship to study literature and philosophy at Bard College Berlin. Her exploration of new countries and subjects continued at Bard College in NY, where she got a master’s degree in environmental policy. She worked as a community organizer at New Haven/León Sister City Project in New Haven, CT, where she organized climate action events and engaged with the youth and the international community. She also conducted research about equity concerns around statewide energy efficiency programs in CT while working as a research assistant at Yale University Office of Sustainability. Prior to joining PSEF, she worked as an organizer at the Local Clean Energy Alliance (LCEA) in Oakland, CA for almost three years. At LCEA, she advocated for “clean power to the people by the people” in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as California at large.

Lee is an advocate for the importance of data equity and asset-based community development. They hold a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies with a concentration in Religion and Public Engagement from Wake Forest University, where their research focused primarily on the intersections between race, gender, power, and access. As an undergraduate, Lee was an organizer for Abolition and Academia teach-ins, doing extensive work to promote access to information concerning campus sociopolitical climate, policing, student-driven gentrification, and the impacts these circumstances have on the health and safety of Black and brown communities near college campuses. Following graduation, Lee spent two years with the Winston-Salem Community Action Coalition, supporting the capacity-building efforts of nonprofits in Forsyth County to sustain and expand poverty alleviation programs, first through working in harm reduction spaces, and later by taking up program management responsibilities for the Coalition. Lee has joined the People's Solar Energy Fund to utilize their experience in community organizing and program management to continue building the capacity of marginalized communities to become self-sufficient. In 2023, Lee began their Master of Social Work program at UNC-Chapel Hill and intends to apply these continued learnings to their work as Program Manager for the Capacity Building Programs.

Sarah Gakenia Cleveland is an Attorney who specializes in humanitarian immigration work where she represents immigrants and refugees who have fled their home countries due to violence, extreme poverty, and natural disasters due to climate change. She has studied climate change issues faced in the home countries of her migrant clients as well as the environmental issues her same migrant clients face in the U.S. where they settle. Sarah has worked in a variety of different roles involving environmental justice and advocacy, from teaching popular education modeled courses about environmental justice in East Los Angeles to working with organizers at CASA de Maryland advocating for rights to clean water and energy for immigrant communities living in extreme poverty in the Mid Atlantic region of the U.S. Sarah grew up between the U.S. and Kenya, her family's country of origin, and has lived and worked in Colombia, China, and Japan in a variety of roles, forming a global perspective on the need for environmental sustainability for marginalized communities around the world. She hopes to use these experiences to dive deeper into the work of environmental justice, ensuring no one is left out in the move towards sustainability.

Korbin Miles has over 12 years of experience in environmental justice and sustainability work in Tallahassee, Florida, Los Angeles and New York City, having worked as a program manager for NYC Department of Small Business Services and Florida A&M University as the School of Graduate Studies and Research’s Academic Coordinator. Miles has been an educator in sustainability and STEM for the Grow NYC Composting Program, Grow NYC GreenMarket classes, and Operation Progress Los Angeles. He recently wrapped up the SEED solar project as one of the advisors with Rethink Energy Florida.

Miles earned his master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from the Milano School of Public Engagement at The New School, where he did his capstone on the environmental justice implications of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. He received his bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in environmental science from Florida A&M University. He has also traveled to study indigenous communities, permaculture, and off-grid living at ecovillages in India, Peru, and Mexico.

As a dedicated advocate for social justice, education, and sustainability, Jessica Iniguez's professional journey is deeply rooted in a commitment to fostering positive change within communities. Growing up in an environmentally redlined area of Los Angeles has significantly shaped her perspective and serves as a driving force behind Jessica's advocacy work. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley, where she studied policy, education, and social welfare, providing her with a solid foundation for understanding the intersections of social justice and sustainability. Following her graduation, Jessica embarked on a diverse range of experiences that reflect her dedication to community-centric advocacy. Her professional journey led her to work at a domestic abuse center in Argentina, creating immigration sanctuary school curriculum with the National Education Association in Washington, DC, and serving as a Clean Energy Policy Fellow at the Greenlining Institute. These experiences equipped Jessica with a comprehensive understanding of the global and local dimensions of social justice and sustainability.

In every facet of her career, Jessica remains committed to community-centered approaches, acknowledging the interconnectedness of social justice and environmental well-being. Her advocacy work is driven by a belief in the transformative potential of education and sustainability to bring about positive change, especially in underserved communities.

Laura Rijo Florimon joined the People's Solar Energy Fund as the organization’s first Loan Fund Manager in April of 2024. Laura is a lending and financial services professional with over ten years’ experience in diverse roles and organizations within the industry. She served as the Director of Loan Servicing for Capital Good Fund, a multi-state Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Providence, RI in the service of communities underserved by Main Street lending and financial services providers. During this time of pivotal growth and business expansions, she helped the organization grow the size of the portfolio while building and implementing sound underwriting, loan servicing, risk and portfolio management operations. She enjoys working with diverse communities and teams in mission driven organizations that allow for a strategic and creative approach to meet present and future needs to build a more equitable society and produce measurable community benefits. Laura holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Hotel Management from Johnson & Wales University, and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. Besides working with PSEF on a part-time basis, Laura serves as the Portfolio Manager for The Life Initiative, a Massachusetts-based loan fund established to provide capital to projects that benefit low and moderate income communities and households. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her little brother, attending his Little League baseball and soccer games, as well as dancing, cooking and spending time outdoors.

Victoria Harris is the Finance Manager at the People's Solar Energy Fund (PSEF), where she leverages over two decades of expertise in financial management and strategic planning. With a proven track record of driving financial performance and optimizing operational efficiency, Victoria is dedicated to fostering fiscal responsibility and driving sustainable growth.

In her capacity, Victoria manages all facets of financial operations and enhances organizational infrastructure and systems while executing strategic initiatives aligned with PSEF's objectives and aspirations.

Victoria's professional journey includes a tenure as the Director of Finance at Black Girls CODE, a prominent organization dedicated to fostering STEM education for African-American girls. Prior to that, she served as the Finance Manager at We Care Solar. Victoria's dedication to social impact extends beyond her professional roles; she has contributed as a board member and advisor to various nonprofits. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Trans Lifeline.

Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting and Global Finance from Mills College. In her leisure time, she indulges her passions for running, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ali Andrews is the CEO of Shake Energy Collaborative, a women-owned public benefit corporation developing renewable energy projects that are designed and owned by the communities that host them. Shake was born out of research for her Masters in Design Impact at Stanford University in which Ali and her team explored designs for more meaningful, bidirectional community engagement in the energy industry. Ali has a background in climate research and environmental storytelling working on projects for NOAA, the State of Hawaiʻi, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Ali is an avid steerswoman of waʻa, currently steering her start-up in Honolulu, where Shake partners with communities historically excluded from energy ownership to design and develop community solar projects. Ali has an MS in Engineering Design Impact and a BA in Physics and Environmental Non-Fiction Writing.

Most recently, Amy managed Spark Northwest’s Solarize and Energize programs, leading group purchase programs for solar and energy efficiency. She also conducted community education on renewable energy and advocated for policies supporting a just transition to clean energy. Amy also worked at the World Food Prize Foundation to coordinate an international conference on global food security formulated to drive food systems discourse and transformation. She collaborated with stakeholders across sectors and geographies to convene diverse thought leaders and mobilize policy action. Prior, she served Peace Corps Zambia as an Agriculture and Forestry Extension Agent until the global Covid-19 evacuation. As a Gilman Scholar, Amy conducted a research project for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy. The project evaluated the sustainability of commercializing in vitro meat, and Amy focused on the environmental impacts of this nascent technology. Amy graduated from Iowa State University with a double degree in Environmental Science, B.S. and Event Management, B.S. Outside of work, Amy enjoys building community through cooking, outdoor exploring, coordinating mutual aid, and organizing for racial and climate justice.

Crystal is a grassroots community-builder, a 2020 Roddenberry Fellow, and the CEO of People Power Solar Cooperative, with more than 10 years experience deploying climate solutions. She served as COO for Powerhouse, a solar incubator, and Founded CrossPollinators, which fosters collaboration among grassroots solutions. Nationally, Crystal is working with more than 30 local organizations to set up a mutual aid structure that serves as a collaborative resource and strategy center for organizations working to democratize energy. And she participated in the 2019 U.S. Grassroots Accelerator for Women Environmental Leaders powered by Women's Earth Alliance and Sierra Club.

Joseph McNeil is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, General Manager of the SAGE Development Authority, President of Standing Rock Development Corp/Rock Industries Corp. and Chairman for the Oyate CDFI/CU in Ft. Yates, N.D. He is married to Sheridan McNeil and share four children. He was recently awarded the Bush Foundation Fellowship for leadership (2019), M.I.T. Oceti Sakowin Inaugural Fellow (2018), is active for Indigenous rights, and community economic development. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Sitting Bull College. He is a former member of the Standing Rock Tribal Council and Sitting Bull College Board of Directors. 

Pamela Bush Miles is a nationally recognized climate and environmental justice activist and organizer with over 20 years of experience building organizations, programs and movements that achieve climate and transit equity wins for low-income communities and communities of color. Initially inspired by her children’s battles for air and for life against debilitating asthma, Mela has worked tirelessly to eliminate pollutants in the low-income communities where she lived and worked. As the regional expert in public transit equity Mela organized communities in a 20 mile area to advocate for and eventually achieve commuter rail stops in low-income communities. These stops became vital for building economic empowerment in formerly blighted communities.

Pouya studied Science and Environmental Policy in both undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Minnesota. He is now the Policy Director for Cooperative Energy Futures, a member-owned renewable energy co-operative that focuses on low-to-moderate income people and historically disadvantaged people in Minnesota. In this capacity Pouya works on State and local issues affecting equitability and access to solar energy (especially in regard to Community Solar Gardens) through the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Commerce, and the City of Minneapolis among many others. Pouya is also a registered lobbyist with the state of Minnesota and has been lobbying at the Minnesota State Capitol on behalf of a bill that the co-op has drafted to increase access and equitability within Minnesota's Community Solar Program. He works with PSEF as a financial consultant and a technical consultant for Community Solar Gardens.

Shimekia Nichols was born and raised in the 48217. She is Soulardarity's leading organizer for the Work For Me, DTE! campaign -- developing community leadership and representing the campaign in the media. She has spoken out on DTE's practices on Channel 7, on the front page of the Detroit Free Press, and at Michigan Radio, outside of a public hearing on DTE's 15-year energy plan. She is dedicated to growing Black leadership in environmental justice work and ensuring that the pursuit of clean energy is just, equitable, and democratic. Shimekia is the mother of two awesome sons and is an empathetic community activist and comrade to other activists in intersecting liberation movements. Now, in her role as Executive Director, Shimekia has trained and supported dozens of community members engaging in energy-focused activism and contributed greatly to gathering the 3000 public comments our campaign submitted on DTE's 2019 Integrated Resource Plan.

Stephanie, a Detroiter, became aware of energy inequalities in 2016 when she went into collections because of a DTE utility bill after losing her job. She later became active in the "Work for Me DTE" campaign of local organizing work Soulardarity - aimed at promoting affordability, health, community ownership, and good jobs through local clean energy. Now serving as the Vice-chair on the Polar Bear Sustainable Energy (PBSE) Co-op board, Stephanie is currently focused on launching a community- owned backup power supply in Southeast Michigan neighborhoods, and contributing in other ways to Energy Democracy. She has a B.A. from the University of Detroit and a Masters in Training and Development from Oakland University.

Timothy is the co-founder and General Manager of Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF), an energy efficiency and community-owned clean energy cooperative serving members across Minnesota since 2009. CEF has financed and developed 6.9MW (~$16M) of low-income accessible and cooperatively owned community projects, offsetting the utility bills of over 700 Minnesota households for the next 25 years. Timothy is a co-convener of Minneapolis Energy Options (now Community Power), which secured the nation’s first city-utility Clean Energy Partnership, and a member of its Energy Vision Advisory Committee, helping guide climate solutions across Minnesota. Timothy engages in national energy democracy innovation as a Powershift Network member and as a participant in the REAMP network. Timothy helped found Grand Aspirations, which supports youth innovators in 16 cities to create green economic opportunity through clean energy and other sustainable solutions.