Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Preferred Provider Program

Onna LeBeau serves as the Chief Impact Officer and Managing Director of the Indigenous Power & Light Fund for Energy Sovereignty at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. In this pivotal role, she directs philanthropic capital to marginalized tribal communities, leading initiatives that support their self-determined clean energy goals and the pursuit of tribal sovereignty.

Onna brings over 20 years of experience in finance, economic development, and nonprofit leadership. Most recently, she served as Director of the Office of Indian Economic Development at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she led key initiatives for over two years. Before that, as Executive Director of the Black Hills Community Loan Fund, she expanded the organization’s focus beyond homeownership to offer credit-building and business development opportunities for the community.

Her journey in community development began in 2001 after earning degrees in finance and economics from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. From 2002 to 2007, she worked as a loan specialist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Great Plains Region Office of Economic Development, gaining valuable experience in the BIA loan guarantee program. LeBeau furthered her education by earning a Master’s in Applied Sciences in Community Development from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, with a focus on nonprofit management in Native communities.

Maha Malik is a dedicated Staff Accountant with a solid academic background in financial

management and a genuine passion for accounting practices. She is highly skilled in financial

reporting, budgeting, and compliance, ensuring that financial processes meet organizational standards and effectively support the organization’s mission. Maha is fascinated by technology, stocks, and exploring new computer languages. Her enthusiasm for these fields fuels her continuous learning and professional growth, keeping her engaged with the latest developments and innovations. Indigenous to the Punjab region of Pakistan, Maha brings a unique cultural perspective to her work.

Outside of her professional commitments, Maha is deeply family-oriented and treasures

the time spent with her loved ones. She is also an avid hiker, finding peace and inspiration in

nature’s beauty and tranquility.

Warren Hammond serves as a Senior Advisor for Project Development at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, bringing over a decade of deep expertise in the solar energy sector. As the Director of BTR/SFR Channel & Asset Optimization at Palmetto Solar, Warren’s work in operational oversight and organizational effectiveness across multiple markets ensured seamless project management from contract initiation to final execution. His specialties are optimizing processes, automating workflows, and driving efficiency improvements to meet key performance indicators while reducing costs.

Before joining Palmetto, Warren held senior leadership positions at Sigora Solar and SolarCity, where he was instrumental in scaling operations, managing large teams, and delivering high-quality solar projects across residential, commercial, and community scales. Having started his career as an installer and crew lead, Warren possesses a comprehensive understanding of the solar ecosystem, from ground-level operations to strategic management.

Warren’s extensive experience is particularly valuable in his work with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, where he has been involved as a volunteer project manager for tribal solar demonstration projects and has closely followed the organization’s growth and impact over many years. His expertise in strategic planning, team leadership, project execution, and operational efficiency makes him an integral part of the Alliance’s mission to advance clean energy sovereignty for tribal nations.

Crystal Miller is an enrolled citizen of the Walker River Paiute Tribe and a PhD candidate at the University of Arizona focusing her studies on Federal Indian Law and Policy, Tribal Constitution Reform, and Strengthening Indigenous Governance. She has specifically explored how the Federal Indian Policies that govern and provide both the guidelines and restrictions on Native Nations’ ability to assert their sovereignty have impacted Tribes. Crystal has invested in the protection of tribal lands and resources and continues to fight legally and politically to ensure that the tribe’s interests are included regarding lands directly impacted by outside agencies. 

Her commitment to understanding and disseminating knowledge to Native Nations is a high priority that is evidenced in the work she has done and continues to do. Through reform processes of Tribal constitutions and governing documents that guide Native Nations, she has worked to align Tribal interests in a way that protects their culture and lands. Crystal has testified before the state senate, provided training to federal agencies, and established law and order codes that define the processes of consultation for Tribes. She has assisted Native Nations in strengthening their governing systems by fully exerting and exercising their sovereignty and divorcing Western governing systems. 

Crystal has excelled in implementing corrective action plans to solve organizational and/or departmental problems, strategic planning, and analyzing program productivity. The strength that she brings to the Alliance is the experience of implementing and actualizing the skills she has been trained for in both academia and her professional career. She has been able to apply Indigenous methodologies and frameworks, as well as create her own that represents the Agai Dicutta culture and living spirit. 

Claudio Kamaalewa Winchester Clini is Kanaka Māoli and grew up on O’ahu, Hawai’i. He is passionate about advancing self-governance for Native people and communities across North America and the Pacific. While obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, Claudio learned from renowned Indigenous scholars. Before joining the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Claudio interned at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

There, he gained a deep understanding of how Tribal Nations can leverage federal programs and funding and the barriers that prevent that money from reaching communities in need. Claudio will support the Alliance by combining his personal, academic, and professional experiences.

Leigha Bradford is a registered member of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians of Montana, the most recent Tribe to be federally recognized. She is a Montana native, having grown up under the big sky and on the hills of Butte, MT. Leigha is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Governance and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana.  Leigha has dedicated her professional career to service-driven missions, including work with AmeriCorps and Indigenous organizations. She recently concluded her time as the Cultural Services Manager with an Urban Indian Organization (UIO) in Montana, one of five in the state and one of 41 in the United States. During her time at the UIO, Leigha and the Cultural Specialist planned and implemented the Cultural Department to offer cultural connections to urban Natives and non-Natives and education and resources. Leigha and her colleague dedicated significant time to ensuring that urban Natives had a voice, mainly focusing on youth who struggled with their identity as Native individuals in an urban environment.

When Leigha isn’t working, you can find her planning her next NHL hockey trip with her husband, tending to the small garden in her yard, beading, or studying the Ojibwe language, aspiring for future fluency. As her namesake Princess/General Leia would proudly proclaim, “Gi-ga-miinigoz Mamaandaawiziwin” – May the Force be with You.

Taryn Reynolds, an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, serves as the Human Resources Advisor for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy.  She is a seasoned HR Generalist and HR Consultant for REDW’s Tribal Nations division. With nearly a decade of experience in human resources, Taryn brings to the Alliance a wealth of knowledge and expertise working with tribal governments, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and gaming enterprises.

Her dedication to supporting tribal communities is evident in her extensive background in Native business planning, recruitment, employee relations, and communication. Taryn holds the THRP II (Tribal Human Resources Professional Level II) credential, which signifies her advanced understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by Native employees and organizations.

For the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Taryn guides the alignment of the team with the organization’s vision and goals. She supports all People Empowerment (Human Resources) activities, employee development, and support programs, ensuring a culture of diversity, equity, and continuous learning and growth. Taryn enjoys leveraging her skills and knowledge to support the success of the Alliance and its dedicated team, empowering tribal communities through clean energy initiatives.

Jennifer Hershman brings over 30 years of experience in the commercial construction and solar utility-scale industries to her role as Director of Project Implementation at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. She has an extensive background in clean energy project development and community engagement in tribal communities, including the only two utility-scale projects on tribal lands, Kayenta 2 (38.8MW) and Red Mesa (100MW).  

Throughout her career in clean energy, Jennifer has developed a comprehensive skill set in planning, design, pre-construction, construction, facilities management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), community outreach, and program development.

In 2018, Jennifer transitioned to spearheading CSR and community outreach programs at Swinerton Renewable Energy, now SOLV Energy. She successfully aligned these initiatives with the company’s strategic vision and core values of Safety, Teamwork, Quality, and Innovation. Her outreach efforts focused on environmental justice and education, benefiting communities across the United States and supporting internal team members, non-profit partners, and clients.

Among her notable achievements is the primary sponsor of Solar Energy International’s Women in Solar program, which empowers women and non-binary individuals worldwide through solar energy training, networking, mentorship, and job connections. Jennifer also created and led the annual “Skip the Grid” project in collaboration with the Heart of America Foundation, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and Goal Zero, providing solar-powered electricity to homes without transmitted power in the Navajo Nation. Jennifer is dedicated to fostering sustainable and inclusive energy solutions in tribal communities and beyond. 

Nicole is a seasoned professional with over ten years of experience in the non-profit association sector, dedicated to advancing organizational goals and ensuring mission fulfillment. She currently serves as the Director of Events & Programming for the Alliance, where she oversees the planning and execution of key events and initiatives. Nicole excels in collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders to design and deliver dynamic, relevant, timely, and informative events and online programming for the Alliance community partner tribes, NGOs, corporations, and federal agencies.

Previously, Nicole managed strategic planning for AMPP: The Association for Materials Protection and Performance, and major events for SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, where she successfully oversaw annual conferences and trade shows for over 2,500 attendees, handled contract negotiations and managed a substantial budget. Her expertise extends to exhibit and sponsorship strategies, sales, and support, demonstrating a strong capability in driving event success and stakeholder engagement.

Nicole began her career as an Event Specialist at SSPC, where she supported conference planning, exhibit and sponsorship sales, and marketing promotions. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry and Travel Writing from Chatham University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she graduated Cum Laude and was a four-year varsity letterman in track and field.

Priscilla is a seasoned leader at the intersection of project operations and community advocacy. In her role as the Tribal Liaison and Health Program Specialist at the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, she orchestrated quarterly Tribal Consultations and promoted cultural sensitivity in health policy.

As the Director of Strong Start Prenatal-to-Three Initiatives at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Priscilla secured a substantial $1.9 million Pritzker Children’s Initiative Grant and led community campaigns focusing on early learning and community health workers’ initiatives.

At the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Priscilla managed a significant $3 million Federal Block Grant, ensuring compliance with tribal health safety standards and enhancing the Tribal Childcare Quality and Improvement Rating System.

Elected Chair of the National Indian Child Care Association and recognized as a Global Leader for Young Children, Priscilla brings an international perspective to her community development work. With a B.S. in Community Health Sciences, she champions projects for community welfare and inclusive development.

Kali is a visionary and highly committed professional with a background in public health and digital optimization. She is a passionate and committed environmental justice advocate with the drive to reduce and prevent established patterns of environmental and global health degradation.Kali brings global experience to the design and implementation of qualitative research and community-centered initiatives. She has been immersed in the world of environmental sustainability for over a decade including over five years working in tribal communities both domestic and abroad.

Gwen Torres, Development Associate, is Filipino descending from three ethnolinguistic groups: Pangasinense (people of the salt), Ilokano (people of the bay), and Tagalog (people of the lowlands). Working with indigenous social entrepreneurs in the Philippines and the United States since 2014, she has been devoted to just transitions in knowledge and innovation (inclusive intellectual property and metrics) for indigenous communities. Gwen holds a Masters in Entrepreneurship (Philippines), an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Economic Policy for Global Transition (an EU UNESCO-supported program between France and Italy), and has 15+ years of experience in communications, sustainable architecture, and business development.  She is currently a PhD Candidate at Politecnico di Milano School of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering.

Caliopy Glaros has worked with the Alliance for nearly two years. In her role, she helps connect the Alliance with the partners and resources it needs to achieve impact. She believes in leading with empathy, centering community needs, and creating innovative solutions to the issues inherent in the ever-changing landscape of philanthropy. In addition to her robust experience in fundraising, Caliopy is an Anthropologist by training and certified facilitator in Intercultural Communication.

Jessica Langlois is a highly experienced librarian, documentarian, and information resources manager with nearly two decades in the non-profit and education sectors.  Jessica has served as a Library Director, Research Librarian, and Instructional Librarian for colleges and municipal libraries and served as Director of a local chapter of a national adult literacy program. She attended the University of Rhode Island for her Master’s degree, where she was a Spectrum Scholar and a member of the Beta Phi Mu Honor Society, and Roger Williams University, where she was the founder of the school’s chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society. She spent a year with Americorps before attending graduate school.

Being of both African American and Mi’kmaq descent, Jessica has spent her career dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion for BIPOC and people affected by systemic and cyclical economic poverty. She is an ally of the LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit communities.

Angela Lucas is a dedicated leader and advocate for advancing clean energy initiatives within Tribal communities. As the Program Manager for the Tribal Energy Leadership Fellows (TELF) at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Angela is committed to developing innovative workforce education pathways that empower emerging leaders in the clean energy sector. Angela has held senior leadership positions with public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including roles at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), Indiana State Museum, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where she engaged directly with Tribal leaders and key stakeholders to advance energy and infrastructure development across Tribal lands.

Through the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) and The National Alliance for Communications Technology Education and Learning (NACTEL), she facilitated collaboration between energy and telecommunications employers, corporations, associations, contractors, and higher education institutions to design and promote industry-approved education solutions for workforce training, upskilling, and reskilling. Angela’s journey in workforce development began with delivering job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities, a cause close to her heart. Her professional experience also includes meaningful work at the Indiana State Museum, where she interpreted Indiana Territorial education, law, legislation, and Indigenous history from pre-contact up to 1830. With extensive experience in cultivating collaborative relationships, Angela possesses a profound understanding of career pathways and education in the energy industry. Her expertise includes collaboration with Tribal Nations and stakeholder engagement to support education and workforce initiatives benefiting Tribal members.

Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in Native American Social History and master’s degrees in Nonprofit Leadership from Saint Mary of the Woods College. She is actively involved in volunteering with organizations such as American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL), American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), Music and Memory and the National Park Service.

Todd Halvorsen leads the project finance and deal structuring efforts at the Alliance. After teaching science in public schools for seven years, Todd jumped into a start-up solar developer, owner, operator company just as the climate-tec industry began to flourish in 2007. Leading the analytics team in support of development and finance functions, he helped grow the business to an industry leader which was acquired by NRG Energy. While at NRG, he was promoted to the head of Risk and Structuring for all renewable energy transactions which led to the successful construction of hundreds of projects from coast to coast and well over $1B in total investment. 

While attending Indiana University, Todd earned B.S. and M.S. degrees, concentrating in environmental
science and education for sustainability. Todd applies those learnings to his work in Finance to help demystify the complexity of project finance and advocate for the best comprehensive energy solutions for communities, businesses, and institutions. Todd is as passionate about delivering clean energy solutions to those in need as he is fishing, gardening, cooking and sharing good times with friends and family.

Caleb is an accomplished leader offering over twenty years of experience in community building and collaboration, is adept at developing solid partnerships, cementing public support, and building strong teams. His personal mission is to co-create a world of peace and healing through communication and creativity.

After receiving his Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Health, most of Caleb’s work has been in the non-profit sector: managing permanent housing programs for chronically unhoused people, marshaling community resources to keep people with serious and chronic mental illness stabilized in their homes and out of the hospital by designing and conducting community and professional health education programs, particularly focused on the underserved, urban populations. Caleb has also served as a professor, teaching sociology at Front Range Community College and directing a masters level certificate program at Western State Colorado University, built a book publishing company, and served on various boards of non-profit professional organizations.

Caleb joined the Economic Development Administration during the pandemic years, where he managed federal grants for the Denver Region. During this time, he reinvigorated EDA’s work with the Tribal nations in the region, for which he received an individual leadership award and a silver leadership award from the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Commerce. He moved back into the nonprofit sector from here and is delighted to serve the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. He has three college-age children, a high schooler who wishes she was in college, and a talented wife. He loves mountain biking, long road trips, long movies, books, and good coffee.

Wendolyn Holland serves as Senior Advisor for Policy, Tax & Government Relations at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. In this role, Wendolyn supports tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Americans in their quest for renewable energy deployment as a means to improve sovereignty and enhance sustainable economic development.

Wendolyn served as Senior Advisor for Commercialization in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a role that supported the movement of national laboratory technologies into the market. She then served as a member of the senior leadership team at Savannah River National Laboratory.

Wendolyn advises at the nexus of finance, technology, and policy, focusing on clean energy technologies. With a particular expertise in tax strategy and policy, her projects focus on the very essence of our social and environmental problems. With the background of a historian, she models her projects for the long-range view to bend the arc of history. She also leads the teams for federal grant application submissions. She is among the nation’s experts on Section 48C, the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit. Beyond 48C, Wendolyn has supported dozens of successful submissions for competitive federal funding opportunities, focused mostly but not exclusively on DOE solicitations.

Wendolyn received her JD and LLM in Taxation from Georgetown Law in 2017, her MBA in Finance and Strategy from Kellogg School of Management in 2001, and her BA in History and Studies in the Environment from Yale in 1991. She is a frequent lecturer on U.S. renewable energy policy and Western Americana.

Bill has over 25 years in the renewable energy industry ranging from the business development of utility scale wind energy projects, hydroelectric, and large-scale solar facilities.  He has directly participated in projects with both large and small utilities from the Midwest states to the Pacific coast, including multiple years working for a public utility that includes direct experience with tribal renewable energy project development.  He has a BS in Natural Resources Management from the University of Florida and a JD from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College.  Bill spends his down time volunteering as a snowboard coach for his son’s team and on various other high school and community functions.

David Karabelnikoff an associate member of the Knik Tribe of Alaska. David is a descendant of the Unangan and Dena’ina people, and his commitment to environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in indigenous perspectives. David is a dedicated advocate for sustainable energy solutions and environmental stewardship. He actively integrates these perspectives into discussions about renewable energy, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern technologies. David is passionate about empowering Native communities to lead the transition to clean energy. David’s commitment extends beyond his professional endeavors; it reflects a profound belief in the interconnectedness of all life and a dedication to shaping a more sustainable and regenerative world.

Shaun is an enrolled tribal member of Zuni Pueblo and was born and raised in Zuni. Shaun has 20 years of engineering, analytics, and project management experience, including roles at Intel Corporation and developing utility-scale renewable energy projects on tribal lands for NextEra Energy Resources. He is an AISES Sequoyah Fellow and a member of the Corporate Advisory Council. He holds an Executive MBA degree, a BS in electrical engineering, and an MSE in semiconductors and electronics manufacturing. Shaun spends his nights and weekends with his children and supporting his family’s business in all things technology, marketing, and management.

Celeste Kimimila Terry is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and resides in Denver, Colorado.  She proudly works at the intersection of Indigenous advocacy, technology, and sustainable development. Celeste’s career journey began with a childhood passion for coding, leading to her pivotal role as a champion for Indigenous communities in the digital age. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Indigenous Law and Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2023, Celeste’s academic journey epitomizes her commitment to blending traditional knowledge with modern methodologies. Her innovative approach to Indigenous design thinking, coupled with proficiency in web development and data analysis, positions her as a trailblazer in the field of Indigenous technology and environmental stewardship. 

Ramon Marquez, Kickapoo, Kumiai/Paipai Tribal Nations and Mexican/Xicano, was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and resides in McLoud, OK on the Kickapoo Reservation. An established Community Advocate with a diverse background in Community and Political organizing, Ramon has dedicated his career to bringing change in the urban setting and hopes to bring his experiences in working in the educational, nonprofit, and criminal justice system to tribal communities and hopes to use his expertise in community organizing, policy, and advocacy to assist tribes in entering the clean and renewable energy sector.

Before joining the Alliance, he was and continues to be a strong advocate for implementing Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices in the Educational and Juvenile/Criminal Justice Systems. Ramon also has a strong background in government accountability, specifically around police practices and community oversight. Ramon has been honored to serve many boards, commissions, committees, and task forces and looks forward to serving tribal communities nationwide.

Deirdre Milewski is the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. With a robust background in human resources and clean energy recruitment with leading companies such as SolarCity and Tesla, Deirdre brings extensive experience and expertise to her role. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a keen ability to identify top talent and cultivate strategic partnerships to support organizational growth and success. Passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces and supporting diversity initiatives, Deirdre is dedicated to building strong teams that drive positive change in the clean energy sector. With her dynamic leadership skills and commitment to supporting Native people in their clean energy careers, she plays a pivotal role in advancing the Alliance’s mission of promoting sustainable energy solutions within tribal communities.

Adrianna is a highly experienced administrative professional with over twelve years of expertise in providing efficient and effective support with a background in project management, budget planning, data analysis, and communication.  She possesses the skills necessary to streamline processes and enhance productivity. In addition to her administrative prowess, Adrianna is currently pursuing a major in law, public policy, and society. This combination of practical experience and academic pursuits equips Adrianna with a well-rounded perspective and a deep understanding of various aspects of business and society. 

When Adrianna is not spending her time working and focusing on school, she enjoys spending her time with her daughter, taking film photos at different museums and art galleries. She is a descendant of the Navajo Nation, Chichimeca and Huastec tribes.

Nabeela Jalill brings to the Alliance more than a decade of experience as a Team Administrator and a demonstrated commitment to respecting different communities’ unique needs and values. She served as the Administrative Assistant for the South Carolina Department of Social Services Statewide Rating and Improvement System for child care and early education centers before, during, and after the COVID crisis. Her responsibilities included tracking provider enrollment and performance, orienting new providers, facilitating grant application and allocation processes, collecting data, supporting staff management, and managing inventory, schedules, and travel arrangements.

Previously, Nabeela worked as a caseworker and caregiver, and her extensive resume of volunteer work includes years of fundraising. Nabeela has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a mother to two young boys and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Sierra Flanigan is a systems thinker, strategist, and lifelong entrepreneur passionate about the collective work of navigating the energy transition in a just and equitable way. She has spent her career helping nonprofits and businesses to advance environmental stewardship by integrating climate, energy, water, biodiversity, resilience, and justice as organizational priorities, and through fostering field-wide collaboration. Sierra brings her experience working as an executive coach, consultant, and facilitator to advance the Alliance’s mission of energy sovereignty for Native American Tribes. 

Sierra earned her bachelor’s from Wheaton College (MA) and her master’s in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability from the Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden) in 2019. She co-hosts the Energy Crash Course edition of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic podcast with her father, Co-Chairs the Living Planet Working Group, and serves on the boards of Social Venture Circle and the Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus in Colorado.

Chéri Smith is the founder, President & CEO of the Alliance for Clean Energy, 501(c)(3).  She descends through both of her parents from the Mi’kmaq of Northern Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, as well as from European ancestors. Chéri founded the organization now known as the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy in 2016. As a 25+ year veteran of the renewable energy sector, she leverages her vast knowledge, experience, network, and relationships to support tribes in their self-determined pursuit of renewable energy — as a means to diminish poverty, protect the earth from climate change, restore economic prosperity and true sovereignty.

Previously, Chéri led workforce development and training for SolarCity and Tesla, including coordination of all community, academic, and government stakeholders in the massive effort to identify and train a diverse and inclusive team of over 1,400 employees of the 1GW solar manufacturing plant in Buffalo, NY, and thousands more for Tesla’s Battery Gigafactory in Nevada, the largest factory in the world.

From 2009–2015, Chéri was in private practice, providing technical workforce consulting services for colleges/universities and governments, including the Interstate Renewable Energy Council(IREC), New York State Energy Research & Development Authority(NYSERDA), and the US Department of Energy SunShot initiatives: Solar Ready Veterans, Solar Instructor Training Network, and Solar Career Map. From 2005–2009, Chéri served as Director of Education and outreach for the American Council On Renewable Energy, where she developed and managed ACORE’s corporate, educational, and citizen-outreach programs, collaborating with the federal and foreign governments and NGOs to develop best practices for clean energy development.

Chéri is an advisor to the Yale School of Business/Environment, served on the advisory board for Penn State’s Masters in Renewable Energy program, and was a Workforce Investment Board Director in Buffalo & Erie County, NY. She is an MIT Solver, Indigenous Communities Fellow, Cordes Fellow, and Climate Leader trained by Al Gore. Chéri has received the GM Prize for social entrepreneurship and was an Elevate Prize finalist. She is the proud mom of a daughter and two sons, one of whom is an Army wounded warrior.  Chéri lives on the ancestral homelands of the Narragansett, where her husband continues in the fishing tradition of her ancestors, making his living as a fisherman.