About our non-profit organization

Co-Founder

Dr. Gadgil is a Faculty Senior Scientist and former Director of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Andrew and Virginia Rudd Foundation Distinguished Chair of Safe Water and Sanitation in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Berkeley.

His pioneering compact fluorescent lamp leasing programs are being successfully implemented by utilities in several Eastern European nations. He is credited with several patents and inventions, received the Discover Award in 1996 for the most significant environmental invention of the year, as well as the Popular Science award for “Best of What is New 1996”.

Dr. Gadgil has a doctorate in physics from UC Berkeley, has won over 20 awards for his work, and has over 145 articles published in refereed archival journals.

Board Chair

Tyler Valiquette is a humanitarian, social entrepreneur, engineer, and product design professional with experience in the non-profit, international development, and high-tech sectors. A pioneer in the field of design for social impact, his experience developing tools for low-income consumers spans four continents and covers a wide array of technologies from rural renewable energy and sanitation to food security, transportation, and improved cookstoves.

He is co-founder and former COO of Catapult Design, a nonprofit product design firm, and currently works as an independent design consultant for social enterprises, non-profits, and corporations globally. In addition to his social impact work, Tyler has also led product development teams for Silicon Valley startups. His primary professional interest is the intersection of social justice, technology, and responsible business.

Board Member

Kevin Blake is the co-founder of Good People, a global consulting firm. He has a 19-year career in business and management consulting, previously working with clients like Facebook and JP Morgan Chase. Kevin advises PE on strategy and finance. He is also an executive committee member for the Sanaya Fund (a Berkeley-based social impact seed fund), co-Executive Director of IDEATE (a social impact non-profit organization), an advisory board member, and supports several charities and local animal shelters. Kevin holds a BSBA in finance from Miami University and an MBA from the University of California-Berkeley. He is an advocate for industry gender and social equity, and always finds time to explore the outdoors with his rescue dog, Willie Nelson.

Board Member

Tracy Cheung has over 15 years of experience leading cutting edge energy and corporate sustainability programs. She is passionate about driving positive environmental impact and was most recently the Head of Sustainability for Cruise, a self-driving technology company focused on making transportation safer, cleaner, and more accessible for all. Tracy's past work also includes the electrification of vehicle fleets in disadvantaged communities and delivering products that help customers understand and reduce their energy bills. Tracy will advise PE on carbon financing and operations.

Tracy graduated cum laude from Williams College where she holds a BA in Economics and Japanese. She also holds an MBA from the University of California Haas School of Business where she was awarded a Haas Service and Leadership Award.

Board Member

Mikhail is a senior data analyst at REsurety, a data-driven renewable energy company. There he analyzes renewable energy projects and carbon credits, and is a member of the DEI committee. He is passionate about sustainability and food security, volunteering at various organizations both in Boston and the Bay Area, such as CommonCare at Saint Peters in Cambridge. Mikhail's past experience ranges from astrophysical research to working on advanced electronics for CERN in Geneva.

Mikhail graduated magna cum laude from Boston University in 2021 with a BA in Astrophysics and has co-authored papers & presentations in the field.

Board Member

Brad is counsel at Generate Capital, PBC, a leading sustainable infrastructure investment company that builds, owns, operates, and finances renewable energy projects and platforms.

Prior to joining Generate, Brad spent over ten years as a project finance attorney with various international law firms where he advised developers and sponsors in connection with the financing and development of energy and infrastructure projects across North America, Southeast Asia, and Western Africa. Brad is passionate about developing sustainable solutions that enable and empower communities in emerging markets to address their energy needs.

Brad graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Pacific with a BS in Business and BA in Philosophy. He also holds an MA in Philosophy from Claremont Graduate University and a JD from the Pepperdine University School of Law and recently completed a certification in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Managing Director

Jessica has 14 years of experience in the Ugandan renewable energy sector, specializing in the design, manufacturing, marketing, testing and monitoring of energy efficient cookstoves and biomass briquettes. She launched 2 of the largest cookstove manufacturing units in Uganda including the unit that supplies UpEnergy/SmartHome. She also designed the first ISO tier 4 efficiency biomass stove at less than $5 USD for Living Goods. Prior to stoves, Jessica managed the importation, warehousing and distribution of all medical and logistical supplies for Medecins San Frontieres-Doctors Without Borders’ largest project worldwide (Nigeria). After leading PE’s efforts from the ground in Kampala for 6 years, Jessica relocated to her home in Portland, Oregon in 2020 to be closer to family. She oversees strategy, sales, finance, development, carbon finance, and human resources for the organization.

Operations Manager

Starting with PE as our first sales associate in 2016, Claire has steadily climbed the ranks of the organization. As Operations Manager, Claire's responsibilities span a wide spectrum of tasks crucial for the seamless functioning of our daily operations. Her duties include overseeing and managing the company's overall operations and facility, coordinating interdepartmental efforts, ensuring accurate record-keeping and reporting, engaging potential partners and NGOs, addressing customer concerns, fostering strong and enduring customer relationships, handling financial transactions, gathering invaluable stove user feedback, and identifying growth opportunities for PE. Claire's educational background includes a Certificate in Management from the African Managers Institute.

Logistics & Product Manager

Aggrey, a dynamic and resourceful member of both our marketing and logistics teams since 2015, originally joined Potential Energy as a driver. Today, he assumes a multifaceted role encompassing new product research, oversees product design, testing, and prototyping, supervises stove distribution, manages company purchases, and oversees shipping and clearing, while also operating marketing campaigns, managing refugee NGO partnerships and ensuring customer satisfaction. Armed with a Diploma in Business Administration from Ndejje University, Aggrey truly lives up to the meaning of his last name, "one who can overcome any situation that comes his way."

Marketing Manager

Waswa handles all marketing and sales through VSLA’s, farmer’s groups, SACCOs and other cooperatives, while also overseeing all sales activities. Having 6 years experience in the stove sector, Waswa joined our team in 2018. Also tech savvy, Waswa brought his knowledge of information technology to PE, and has been instrumental in the transition of the organization from manual database tracking to a digitized version, which is greatly impacting efficiency and productivity among the sales and carbon offset tracking teams.

Production Manager & Sales Associate

Yasin’s responsibilities encompass a multifaceted role that includes the promotion of stoves at diverse events, diligent follow-ups with prospects, and active engagement with partners. On the production front, his duties involve meticulous oversight of stove manufacturing processes, strategic planning of production schedules with targeted goals for the production team, maintenance of production equipment to ensure operational efficiency, continuous efforts to enhance stove quality, preparation of production budgets, the precise engraving of serial numbers and oversight over the team of 8 production associates.

Production Assistant & Guard

Pius, who has been with Potential Energy since 2016, serves as both a Production Assistant and Guard. He is responsible for assisting in stove production, overseeing inventory, ensuring quality control, supervising stove deliveries and maintaining security. Pius's hands-on approach and passion for learning make him a valuable member of the team, and he takes great satisfaction in fixing things. Pius is known for his infectious laughter that can brighten anyone's day. Hailing from Tororo, he is a father of eight.