Andrea has been leading The Solar Foundation since the relaunch of the organization in 2010, starting out as the single employee. In those early years, it was just Andrea and a shoe-string budget. Andrea expanded the staff and budget within a few short years, and today, The Solar Foundation leads several multi-million dollar programs dedicated to advancing solar energy growth.
As President and Executive Director, Andrea sets the tone, provides overall management and strategic direction, and works closely with the Board to develop and implement high-level research and national educational initiatives to promote the expanded use of solar and solar-compatible technologies. The Solar Foundation’s major initiatives include the annual National Solar Jobs Census, which tracks job growth in the American solar industry; SolSmart, which helps local governments reduce barriers and open up solar markets; and workforce development programs to help the solar industry thrive.
Prior to The Solar Foundation, Andrea ran the City of Milwaukee’s U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities program, “Milwaukee Shines,” from 2008-2010. In this position, she helped Milwaukee implement policies aimed at increasing solar energy capacity, including the implementation of one of the nation’s first Property Assessed Clean Energy financing programs and the establishment of the Milwaukee Metro Solar Hot Water Business Council.
Andrea is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. At the University of Wisconsin, she earned her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and was awarded the highly competitive Center for Economic Development fellowship through the UW Consortium for Economic Opportunity.