In this episode Geoff and Jason cover topics ranging from Jason’s policy experience and suggestions to life owning a solar company.

They also discuss what’s needed if companies want to succeed in bringing diversity and inclusion into their companies. Spoiler alert: it can’t just be to check a box.

What’s the secret? Companies have to actually want to succeed if they want people of color and women to thrive at their organization. In this episode, Jason provides suggestions for integrating non-traditional solar workers into your company if you’re starting from square one .

Ralph Jacobson is the chief innovation officer and co-owner at Impact power Solutions (IPS), which he founded in 1991.

Impact Power Solutions develops and installs solar energy systems in Minnesota and Illinois.

Ralph is a member of the Religious Society of Friends, was a founding board chair of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (2009-2019), board member of Cooperative Energy Futures (2012-2018), board member of Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (1990-2010), member of the Just Solar Coalition, board member of Chorus Polaris.

Emilie Oxel O’Leary is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sunshine Solar with a strong passion and expertise in the solar industry. She has worked with many of Fortune 500 companies across the nation such as Amazon, L’Oreal, Target, Perry Ellis, Blue Cross Blue Shield and continues to develop relationships with clients throughout the United States while making Sunshine Solar the best in the industry.

Cesar Barbosa is a solar professional with over 12 years of EPC and O&M experience. Having an extensive amount of experience from working with some of the industry leading companies, he now turns his focus to an increasing challenge of maintaining and in some cases decommissioning of aging Solar assets deployed across North America, with a mission to bring NuLife to solar and the world.