About Us

Clean Energy Works was founded by Dr. Holmes Hummel to accelerate investments in the clean energy economy on inclusive terms that are fiscally sustainable and financially scalable. Since then, Clean Energy Works has won recognition as a winner or finalist in five international searches for high-impact innovation and breakthrough solutions for clean energy deployment. Previously, Dr. Hummel served as the Senior Policy Advisor in the Department of Energy’s Office of Policy & International Affairs from 2009-2013. Among the responsibilities in that role, Dr. Hummel convened the first agency-wide working group on finance with a focus on expanding participation in the clean energy economy. In addition to prior work with energy innovators in the Silicon Valley, Dr. Hummel earned a doctorate degree from Stanford University for interdisciplinary research on energy technology scenarios that achieve 100% clean energy for all and is the Managing Director for Energy Equity & Just Transitions at the Institute for Energy at Stanford University.

Tamara is the Co-Executive Director of Clean Energy Works. She brings more than fifteen years of managerial experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. She has served as Director of programs and policy for mayoral administrations in Atlanta and Houston, as Chief of Staff to a Houston City Councilmember, as the Executive Director of the Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON), as the founder of the Social Justice Impact Project / Inquiring Systems Inc., and as a consultant guide to dozens of organizations over ten years of independent practice.

In the energy sector, Ms. Jones held positions of Director of Program Development & Government Relations at Southface Energy Institute and Director of Programs and Services for the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA). At SEEA, she administered regional energy efficiency building retrofit programs for which she was designated a White House Champion of Change in 2011. Ms. Jones holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Long Island University Brooklyn Campus and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Yale University.

Max is the Deputy Director for Strategic Impact at Clean Energy Works, where he has supported the organization in various roles since 2016. He brings a unique combination of depth in inclusive utility investments, clean energy finance, equitable decarbonization alongside decades of experience with nonprofit management, operations, technology and frontline organizing. Max holds a master’s of city & regional planning from Rutgers University, where he concentrated in community development, housing and environmental planning. Max is passionate about realizing the equitable widespread clean energy transition necessary for our collective future.

Margarita leads Clean Energy Works’ transportation portfolio. Trained as a chemical engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia with a masters in Environmental Engineering from New Zealand and a diploma in Sustainable Development from India, Ms. Parra has worked for more than two decades in Latin America, China, India, and the United States to reduce local air pollution and global carbon emissions from transportation. Prior to joining Clean Energy Works, she managed the low carbon transport portfolio of the Hewlett Foundation’s Global Climate Initiative. Ms. Parra has served on the Board of Directors of the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, the Sustainable and Low Carbon Transportation Partnership and Hispanics in Philanthropy. In 2020, Margarita was highlighted as one of 50 global changemakers in the Remarkable Women in Transport publication from Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI).

Matt is the Director of the Building Decarbonization program at Clean Energy Works. His prior professional experience spans work as an attorney, a climate change policy and programs manager, an energy justice researcher, and a professional runner and running coach. He also serves as an at-large city council member in Bloomington, Indiana. In his work at the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute, Mr. Flaherty led policy and program implementation assisting local governments in advancing climate action and community resilience. His research experience includes energy federalism, energy insecurity, and utility disconnection issues. Mr. Flaherty holds a bachelor’s degree in civil & environmental engineering from the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, as well as a law degree and master’s degrees in public affairs and environmental science from Indiana University – Bloomington.

Andrew is the Director of Operations for Clean Energy Works. He brings more than thirty years of operational, data, and financial management experience from the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. He served as Director of Operation for Georgia Organics, Senior Manager at the city of Atlanta in the Department of Finance, and in the Business Intelligence & Data Management sector for a variety of companies and clients.

In the energy sector, Mr. Ladd held the position of State Utilities Program Coordinator in the Energy Resources Division for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA). At GEFA, he was part of a team promoting energy efficiency and conservation for state of Georgia government agencies, authorities and commissions through financing of facilities retrofits, energy usage analysis, and performance contracting. Mr. Ladd holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University.

Carol brings decades of experience working alongside communities, especially those feeling the current or legacy impacts of divestment, harnessing the political power and technical acumen needed to make lasting energy change. 

She spent the majority of her career connecting communities to their decision makers and has served as the Managing Field Director for the Ohio Environmental Council, Federal Advocacy Manager for Florida Conservation Voters, and Rental Energy Efficiency Program Director for Empower G&E. Carol brings with her a deep knowledge of the Just Energy Transition from her previous roles and through her time as an Appalachian Just Transition Fellow with the Highlander Research and Education Center and Progressive Leadership Fellowship through the Rockwood Leadership Institute. 

Carol holds Bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Peace and Social Justice with a concentration in Political Science from Berea College, nestled in the foothills of Appalachian Kentucky, and a Master’s Degree in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. 

Khushbu is the Director of Advancement at Clean Energy Works. She has a proven track record of helping over 15 nonprofits surpass their fundraising targets, raising over $30 million for social justice, gender equity, and LGBTQ+ rights initiatives. She has worked across 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe and is fluent in French and Hindi, bringing a global perspective to her efforts. Khushbu has managed a diverse portfolio of donors and oversees fundraising budgets up to $7 million/year. Her expertise lies in devising and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, securing major gifts exceeding $1 million, and obtaining new multiyear, unrestricted financial support from premier foundations and corporations. Khushbu holds a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University.

Daphne Yuan is the Communications Manager at Clean Energy Works, bringing over eleven years of marketing communications experience within the mass media and nonprofit sectors. A dedicated advocate for using storytelling, design, and digital products to create meaningful dialogue and connection, Daphne is passionate about facilitating conversations that drive sustainable change. In her current role, Daphne leverages strategic communications to advance the mission of promoting inclusive energy investments. Her commitment to fostering inclusive experiences is further reflected in her alumni status with the Emma Bowen Foundation and the Cox Media Group Digital Talent Program. Additionally, Daphne’s community engagement includes her previous service as a member of the Junior League of Atlanta. Her dedication to inclusivity continues to shape her work at Clean Energy Works and beyond.

Kai Palmer-Dunning is Senior Associate of Building Decarbonization at Clean Energy Works.
He has experience working on topics related to building energy codes, building decarbonization
policy, and environmental justice. Prior to Clean Energy Works, he was the Director of Equitable
Building Transition at the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), where he helped guide
programs related to improving access to weatherization and building retrofits in environmental
justice communities. He also helped expand awareness of networked geothermal as a gas
transition pathway. In addition to his work at HEET, Kai served as a review board member for
Boston’s building performance standard, BERDO. He is completing his B.S. in Environmental
Science and Data Analytics at Southern New Hampshire University and plans to pursue a
Masters of Architecture in Sustainable Design.

Camille Minns is the Senior Associate for Just Energy Transition at Clean Energy Works, and a dedicated advocate for clean energy, climate justice, and just innovation. Originally from The Bahamas, Camille brings a global perspective to her work and research. Her commitment to climate justice and clean energy is evident through her prior roles across the sector, from sustainability consulting and academia, to solar development and energy economics research. Camille also serves as the Deputy Director of Earth Hacks, and co-lead of the Rooted Futures Lab, an initiative committed . Camille has been recognized as a WRISE Solar Power Fellow and an Aspen Institute Future Climate Leader, among others, for her commitment to co-creating a just and sustainable future for all. Camille holds a B.A. in Globalization, and a M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, with a concentration on renewable energy, climate justice and just transition strategy.

Lidiya Kassahun is a Senior Associate at Clean Energy Works. She has worked on diverse projects, including transport decarbonization, medium—and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, and coordinated international transport coalitions in Africa, Europe, and the United States.  Lidiya was a Technical Advisor for the Green People’s Energy project at a German development agency(GIZ), where she collaborated with the Ministry of Energy and Transport to improve electricity distribution in rural communities. While at the World Resources Institute(WRI), Lidiya helped identify strategies to increase electric bus adoption in major East African and Latin American cities. Lidiya holds a Master’s in Development Practice from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and a B.S. in Geology from Adama Science and Technology University. She is a recipient of the prestigious Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship.

Brooke Bethel is the Communications Associate at Clean Energy Works. Brooke is an emerging  communications professional with a passion for storytelling and a commitment to making a positive impact. Before joining Clean Energy Works, she worked as a Communications Specialist in the Software sector with a focus on crafting editorial and social media strategies that increased engagement and lead generation. She is driven by her belief in the power of words and uses storytelling to address critical challenges and motivate action. Brooke holds a B.F.A from Lipscomb University and an M.F.A in Dramatic Writing from New York University.