The Force is Strong with the Solar Prize JEDI Advisory Committee

The Solar Prize Round 5 is proud to introduce eight members of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Advisory Committee. These experts are helping the Solar Prize reach more diverse audiences who have previously been underrepresented in the solar industry. They are also supporting programmatic enhancements and strategies to be more inclusive of all people. 

Meet the members of the JEDI Advisory Committee: 

• Abel Chávez, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success, Western Colorado University: Abel A. Chávez, Ph.D., is a vice president at Western Colorado University. The son of undocumented immigrants, he grew up in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood of Denver. Chávez holds an MBA from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from University of Colorado Denver.
   
• Tenley Dalstrom, Director of CalTestBed, New Energy Nexus: Tenley Dalstrom is the director of the CalTestBed program at New Energy Nexus. She has dedicated her career to advancing the global clean energy transition to achieve greater social, economic, and environmental justice. She seeks to expand opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities through supporting clean energy access, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.
   
• Sandra Halvatzis, President, Halvatzis and Associates, LLC: Sandra Halvatzis is a policy consultant and the president of Halvatzis and Associates, LLC, a company that provides the economic research, analysis, and business strategy that help organizations effectively advocate for policies that move everyone toward a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive while moving toward a cleaner energy future.
   
• Devin Hampton, CEO and Founder, UtilityAPI and Empowering Diversity in Clean Tech: Devin Hampton is the CEO at UtilityAPI, a software company that is building the data network for the energy transition. He is also the co-founder of Empowering Diversity in Clean Tech (EDICT), a board member of Clean Energy for America, and an advisor to other organizations in energy and tech.
   
• Will Huston, Founder and Director of Institutional Services, Bay Street Capital: Will Huston is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bay Street Capital, an investment firm that advocates for diverse and emerging entrepreneurs in clean energy, economic empowerment, and education.
   
• Rozella Kennedy, Director of Impact Partnerships, Elemental Excerlerator: Rozella (Rozie) Kennedy serves as director of impact partnerships at Elemental Excelerator, working with the team to identify, cultivate, and steward philanthropic partners and fundraising efforts in support of cleantech climate solutions with an equity lens. She is also the founder and owner of Brave Sis Project, a “message and a movement of wellness and intercultural sisterhood” that leverages publications, events, and lifestyle brand assets to uplift impactful Women of Color in history as a way of fostering awareness, celebration, and creativity.
   
• Camila Martins-Bekat, Senior Market Development, Tucson Electric Power: Camila Martins-Bekat is a senior market development representative for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) where she plans, develops, and executes initiatives to foster business expansion and relocation in the communities served by UniSource Energy Services, often collaborating with key representatives in state, regional, and local governments and agencies. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree in global finance and trade from Denver University. She is also a certified economic developer.
   
• Marilyn Waite, Program Officer, Hewlett Foundation: Marilyn Waite is an energy and environment thought leader. She leads climate finance at the Hewlett Foundation and previously worked in renewable and nuclear energy innovation, climate modeling, and venture capital. She serves on a number of investment committees and is an editor-at-large at GreenBiz.

The Solar Prize administrators appreciate the support and expertise of the JEDI Advisory Committee Members throughout Round 5!

The Solar Prize Round 5 is also working to improve justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts through the Software Track, which offers an additional challenge that awards competitors who integrate environmental justice principles into their technologies. An additional $300,000 in cash prizes is available for software applications that address barriers to accelerating the growth of solar in underserved communities.

Learn more about competing in the Solar Prize Round 5 Hardware Track and Software Track. Submissions for both tracks are due Oct. 5.