2020 Fellows represent 8 states across 5 regions
SAN FRANCISCO – National business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and sustainability-driven hotel brand 1 Hotels announced today the 2020 1 Hotels Fellowship class at E2. This is the third-year of the annual fellowship, which awards ten young U.S. business leaders $20,000 each to execute projects that advance clean energy and environmental policies in America.
Projects include development of a renewable energy database for investors, trainings on electric vehicle benefits for Chicago-area auto dealers, creation of toolkits for local governments looking to establish solar PV ownership programs.
“These Fellows show us where the US economy can go if we embrace smart environmental policies” said Bob Keefe, E2 Executive Director. “Now more than ever we need to tap into the visions of America’s young business leaders if we are to continue on the path towards a strong clean economy.”
Fellows also receive mentorship and membership into E2’s Emerging Leaders program. To check out all E2 1 Hotels fellows since the program begin in 2018, visit https://www.e2.org/fellows/.
THE 2020 E2 1 HOTELS FELLOWS & THEIR PROJECTS
Grant Behnke— Columbus, OH
Facilitate the implementation of hotel operations that unlock financial and environmental benefits in the rapidly growing Columbus-area hotel industry, concluding with a multidisciplinary event gathering Columbus hoteliers, city officials, sustainability-minded leaders, and E2 members.
Neda Deylami — Chicago, IL
Development of a set of curriculums, trainings, and ongoing support to provide auto dealers in the Chicago metro area to increase basic knowledge about EVs and their financial benefits and answer long-term ownership questions from customers.
Jock Gilchrist — Boulder, CO
Campaign to produce a short film and accompanying white paper that makes the business case for implementing regenerative practices and raises its profile with the public, farmers, and policymakers, using the state of Colorado as a case study.
Jesse Goldstein — Santa Barbara, CA
Data-driven analysis to determine the best possible locations for community EV charger sharing networks, conduct market research and outreach campaigns to gauge interest levels, and educate low-income and disadvantaged residents on how to confidently transitions to EVs.
Bonnie Gurry — New York, NY
Creation of a public database of all renewable energy investment opportunities available to individual investors with the goal to facilitate and grow the total capital invested in renewable energy across the U.S.
Nicole Mendoza — Longmont, CO
Investigation of the business, economic, and policy environments that facilitate turning captured carbon into marketable products, concluding with a consortium (and attendant website) to facilitate and empower these businesses to grow and profit.
Caroline Normile — San Francisco, CA
Advance current carbon sequestration estimates by working to establish partnerships and long-term monitoring networks among environmental researchers and agricultural communities in California’s Central Valley.
Mary Sketch — Knoxville, TN
A social case study approach to amplify the voices of historically resource-dependent communities across rural America that are rebuilding their economies by redefining resource-dependence through clean energy solutions.
Scott Tate — Roanoke, VA
Raise public awareness about social entrepreneurship and sustainability-focused companies on the rise in central Appalachia and facilitate growth of these start-ups with a brief resource guide and in-person workshop for a small cohort of entrepreneurs and partners.
John Young — Washington, D.C
Analysis of best practices and economic benefits of growing solar PV ownership among marginalized communities in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, concluding with a toolkit available for state governments and businesses looking to establish solar PV ownership programs.
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.