Our People

Erica Mackie co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and has helped it grow into one of the country’s leading nonprofits bringing solar power to communities. She has received several national awards recognizing her leadership in clean energy. Before GRID, she worked with survivors of domestic violence and with youth, and later worked in renewable energy and energy efficiency. She holds two degrees from Southern Illinois University: one in Mechanical Engineering and one in Physics.

Tim Sears co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and has helped grow it into one of the country’s leading nonprofits bringing solar power to communities. He has received several national awards for his leadership, and in 2014 the White House named him a Champion of Change for Solar Deployment. Tim studied Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Before GRID, he managed teams of engineers who designed energy efficiency upgrades and led large construction projects. He is a Certified Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Jacob Tofa brings years of experience in financial leadership, with a focus on financial management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. He has overseen large budgets, put strong financial controls in place, and made sure GRID follows donor and federal grant rules. Before GRID, Jacob served as a Chief Financial Officer consultant in the Methodist system and as Director of Finance and Administration at the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA). He holds an MBA in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University and is an affiliate member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Jacob is passionate about using technology to improve efficiency and decision-making across finance, HR, and operations.

Bambi Tran grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland, and she is a LEED Accredited Professional. Bambi has worked as a green builder, designer, and consultant for private and nonprofit developers, building owners, and design and engineering firms across the country and around the world. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

Chris Walker leads GRID’s national Policy and Programs Department, guiding a team of policy advocates and program administrators. His goal is to work across GRID and its partners to design and deliver climate equity solutions at scale. Before GRID, Chris led teams at The Solar Foundation (now the Interstate Renewable Energy Council) that built federally funded programs focused on equitable solar workforce development. He also worked at SolarCity (now Tesla) and the Climate Institute, a policy research organization in Washington, D.C. Chris has volunteered extensively with the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science from the University of Florida and is originally from Torrance, California.

Christian Weaver serves as the Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer for GRID Alternatives. After starting his career in financial securities at Mutual of America, Christian has gone on to become a leader in the nonprofit industry for over 20 years.  Prior to joining GRID, Christian served as Associate Vice President of Major and Institutional Giving at the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Vice President of Development for the National Congress of American Indians. At his core, Christian is passionate about environmental sustainability, conservation, community development and civil rights. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Valdosta State University, and Master’s in Indigenous Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He currently serves as a non-profit board member for the American Indian Cancer Foundation, Shinnecock Community Fund and Ma’s House and a corporate board member of Shinnecock Sovereign Holdings. Christian is an involved and passionate citizen of his tribal community, Shinnecock, and is also a Google Policy Fellow alum, and 2024 University of Maryland Climate Justice Fellow, Co-Chair of the Coalition of Green Capitals Native Advisory Council, is a published writer, a Mid-Career visual artist, art collector, and philanthropist.

Anna Bautista oversees safety, quality, and client care across GRID’s construction work, and she champions GRID’s efforts to build equity and leadership across the organization. She has more than two decades of experience as a site supervisor, trainer, project manager, designer, and installer. Anna is certified as a Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Professional through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT. She received the C3E Advocacy Award in 2017.

Tanksi Clairmont is Co-Executive Director of Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA), GRID’s Tribally focused program. She is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota and Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota tribes. Tanksi holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota, where she conducted original research on Native American college athletes. Her personal and professional passions center on working with and building capacity in Tribal communities across Indian Country.

Steven Fernandez holds a degree in International Relations, with a minor in Geography, from Florida International University. After college, he worked at a law firm in Philadelphia before discovering a passion for solar technology. He enrolled in a photovoltaic program at the City University of New York and soon found work with a small renewable energy company. In 2008, he moved to California to join GRID’s San Diego office as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Since then, Steven has held several roles at GRID, including establishing and leading the Central Coast office and helping launch the New York Tri-State office. He is a Certified Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Professional through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and a licensed electrician in New Jersey.

Katie Kerr started at GRID as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and went on to build GRID’s Human Resources (HR) department from the ground up. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Sociology. Originally from Philadelphia, with a long stint in Oakland, she now calls the Denver area home. Katie is committed to creating an inclusive environment at GRID where staff feel a sense of belonging and have room to grow.

Talia Martin is Co-Executive Director of Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA). She brings more than a decade of experience working on Tribal and federal issues related to environmental waste management and nuclear and renewable energy. Talia is an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho. Before joining GRID, she served as Tribal Department of Energy Director for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, working as a liaison with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho Operations Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Kansas, and an associate degree in Natural Resources from Haskell Indian Nations University. Talia is passionate about creating STEM opportunities for Tribal youth and bringing Traditional Ecological Knowledge into her work with GRID and Tribal Nations. She lives on the Fort Hall Reservation, where she enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and coaching youth basketball.

Adewale OgunBadejo moved from the East Coast to Southern California in 2007. He first worked at California State University, Dominguez Hills, with a research organization sharing information across the Greater Los Angeles community. While there, he studied photovoltaics at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where he learned about GRID Alternatives and got involved. Since then, Adewale has built a career around his passion for solar energy and the opportunities it creates. He says staying connected to this work keeps him grounded and gives him a way to help build healthy, sustainable communities while creating opportunities for others.

Antia Smith is an experienced Human Resources (HR) professional who joined GRID in 2015. She and Katie Kerr co-created GRID’s HR department, building a fun and inclusive environment for GRID’s people. Antia graduated from the City University of New York with a degree in Business Administration and holds additional HR certifications. In her free time, she enjoys creative projects and spending time with her daughter.

Pablo del’Aguila began his solar career in 2011, installing residential and commercial solar systems. He specializes in off-grid design and construction and is a Certified Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Professional through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), as well as a licensed Master Electrician in Pennsylvania. In his free time, Pablo also works as a solar consultant for companies looking to build more reliable, solar-powered grids in underserved regions. He enjoys hiking and biking with his wife and dog.

Jaime Alonso was born and raised in the Coachella Valley, California, in a family of Mexican migrant farmworkers. Growing up in an unincorporated part of Riverside County, Jaime saw firsthand that access to housing, safe drinking water, and reliable energy was not available to everyone. After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he returned home and became active with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based community organizing network, and helped found Raices Cultura, an arts and culture organization for youth and adults. Jaime later graduated from Brooklyn Law School with honors and spent a decade working as a legal and policy professional in the Washington, D.C. area. As Executive Director for GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Jaime leads construction, workforce, outreach, development, Tribal, communications, and operations staff who install solar systems and provide job training, serving multifamily affordable housing, community facilities, and income-qualified homeowners. He also serves on the board of Lift to Rise, a nonprofit focused on expanding affordable housing in the Coachella Valley, and on Citizens Business Bank’s Community Advisory Committee. Jaime enjoys the outdoors, the arts, and traveling.

Karina Gonzalez brings extensive experience in community outreach, education, and training. She joined GRID in 2011 and has helped grow GRID’s work serving homeowners and job trainees while building strong partnerships. Karina helped develop four training programs in the Central Valley region and enjoys spending time with participants. She has lived in Fresno County for more than 30 years and lives in Fresno with her husband and four children.

David Griffin graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accountancy. Before joining GRID Alternatives in 2010, he worked in retail sales, construction, insurance, and teaching. David began volunteering with GRID while looking for a career that felt socially, environmentally, and personally meaningful. Through his volunteer work, he learned about GRID’s mission and goals and decided to join the Central Valley team.

Margaret Kral joined GRID Colorado in 2022 after a long career in community banking, including serving as a bank president in Colorado. She later became an entrepreneur focused on systems change to address pressing issues like climate change and health. Margaret brings deep experience in business, community engagement, finance, operations, and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and reading.

Erika Symmonds is a clean energy leader dedicated to workforce and clean energy equity and driven by the legacy of those who opened doors for her.

With 13+ years in the sector, she co-founded NYC’s Green City Force, led the equity and workforce development team at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and spent seven years as GRID’s VP of Workforce Development. Now returning to GRID Alternatives as Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, she leads the team in expanding local career pathways, deepening community partnerships, and driving an inclusive regional energy transition. She resides in DC with her wife and child.

Phyllis Currie is a highly respected public power leader and executive advisor with several decades of experience in utility management, finance, and governance. She served for 14 years as General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power and held senior leadership roles during a 30-year career with the City of Los Angeles, including Assistant City Administrative Officer for the city and Chief Financial Officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She has held national leadership roles across the industry, including Board Chair of the American Public Power Association, Board Chair of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), President of the California Municipal Utilities Association, and President of the Southern California Public Power Authority. Her education includes a BA in political science and an MBA from UCLA, and the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Vikita Poindexter has 35+ years leading HR strategy, labor law compliance, and executive leadership. She brings legal precision, fearless integrity, and a voice that is both compassionate and unshakably firm. As CEO of Poindexter Consulting Group, LLC, Vikita leads a nationally respected HR consulting firm known for solving complex employment challenges and reducing legal exposure. Her expertise spans investigations, employee relations, workforce realignment, HR systems, HR budgeting, compliance, EEOC/DFEH/DLSE matters, DEI strategy, recruitment, arbitration support, and litigation prevention across industries including entertainment, manufacturing, construction, real estate, retail, and finance. A trusted expert witness and national speaker, Vikita is recognized for workforce ethics, equity, and HR policy. She has also served as a business coach for USC’s Bridges to Business program and as a former HR certification instructor for CSU San Marcos—bringing grace, grit, and accountability to every role she holds.

Melicia Charles is the Director of State Affairs for CAISO. Previously, she was the Director of Legislative and Regulatory Policy at Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Melicia has over 15 years of experience developing, managing and advocating for a just transition to clean energy. Before working for SVCE, Melicia served as the Director of Policy covering California policy issues at Sunrun, the nation’s largest residential solar and storage provider. Melicia also spent over a decade working at the California Public Utilities Commission where she oversaw the development of solar, storage, transportation electrification and equity policies and programs. Melicia has an MBA from the University of San Francisco and a B.A. from UC Berkeley.

Todd Rahn co-leads FTI Consulting’s SEC & Accounting Advisory, bringing more than 25 years of audit, accounting and advisory experience to his clients. Mr. Rahn engages hand-in-hand with management teams in the application of U.S. GAAP, IFRS and auditing standards, operational topics around the structure and strategy of the finance organization, the evaluation of financing alternatives and related reporting. He also supports these teams in planning for and evaluating the impact and disclosure of transactions, including the initial public offering process and environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) disclosure, as well as the application and response to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) matters, financial restatements and accounting litigation and disputes. Mr. Rahn is passionate about and has held leadership roles driving inclusion and change in today’s corporate cultures, in particular the development of sustainable ESG practices, each an area that guides his work and path within his profession.

Juliana Pino is Vice President of Policy & Development at Elevate, where she advances environmental, climate, and economic justice in local, state, and federal policy, centering frontline community leadership in policy and governance. Previously, she worked as Policy Director at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO). Her work has earned national recognition, including Midwest Energy News’ 40 Under 40 (2017), Grist’s 50 Fixers (2018), the Clinton Award from People for Community Recovery (2018), an inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award (2019), the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus’s Karen May Environmental Leadership Award (2019), and Elevate Energy’s Climate Changemaker honor (2020). She has advised recent Chicago mayoral and Illinois gubernatorial transitions and co-chairs Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Environmental Justice Subcommittee. Juliana serves on the Illinois Environmental Council’s Board and chairs the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation’s Board by gubernatorial appointment.

Collette Brown-Rodriguez is an experienced natural resource project developer and tribal affairs expert. Her experience spans uranium mine reclamation, coal mining and reclamation, oil & gas, base metals mining, and renewable energy projects. A member of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe and descendant of the Navajo Nation. She has a BS in Environmental Sciences. Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Governance and an MBA from the University of Arizona. Currently the Director of Tribal Development at Avantus, a renewable energy company. An Independent Director at Apollo Silver, a silver mining and exploration company, and member of the Board of Directors at S&K Electronics, a tribally owned manufacturing company. She also co-chairs the Native American Relations Committee for the American Exploration Mining Association.

As CCEF’s Head of Business Development, Anna engages with potential partners and key stakeholders to pursue new projects. Anna brings many years of experience in business development and strategy, having worked with various clean energy companies to help commercialize innovative solutions through collaborative agreements. Prior to her time in the renewable energy industry, Anna began her career at Colgate-Palmolive in Global Supply Chain supporting manufacturing sites around the world. She later worked at Citigroup developing and launching co-branded products. In her spare time, she loves to travel and explore new places.