Our Staff

NWSEED Team_aug.2015

Jennifer Grove, Executive Director

ph: 206.267.2212 | email: jennifer at nwseed.org

As the Executive Director, Jennifer provides primary oversight of operations, finances, personnel and programs to ensure compliance with and implementation of the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Jennifer served as Northwest SEED’s Program Director and was responsible for managing the implementation of Northwest SEED’s renewable energy projects. Jennifer has extensive experience in project management, fundraising, and team management in both the private and non-profit sectors. Before joining Northwest SEED, Jennifer worked for AT&T Wireless, People for Puget Sound, and Inner City Outings/Sierra Club. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. When Jennifer isn’t busy running Northwest SEED, she stays active by spending time with her family, rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking, and traveling the world.

Linda Irvine, Program Director

ph: 206.267.2215 | email: linda at nwseed.org

Linda directs the development of community energy strategies at Northwest SEED, designing new programs and maximizing synergies across our program areas to serve more communities. She manages the Northwest Solar Communities initiative to standardize and streamline rooftop solar installations in the Northwest and has authored several nationally distributed guides on Community Solar and Solarize program design. Linda began her energy career with an internship at Renewable Northwest Project, creating the first survey of utility green power offerings for the Pacific Northwest. She subsequently worked as a Program Manager at PECI helping to create and deploy on-the-ground efficiency programs for the grocery sector, and as the Community Resource Conservation Manager for the city of Langley, Washington. Linda also serves on the board of Island Community Solar, a project she helped implement in her community. Linda holds a B.A. in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University and a teaching certificate from U.C. Berkeley’s Bay Area Writing Project. When Linda isn’t commuting to Seattle, she spends her time on Whidbey Island, where she lives with her husband. Linda is an avid runner, voracious reader, occasional cyclist and film buff who loves to find a new, obscure movie title at the library.

Jenny Gerber, Finance and Operations Manager

ph: 206.328.2441 | email: jgerber at nwseed.org

Jenny manages the internal functions for Northwest SEED, including finance, operations and human resources. Her twenty-plus year career in the non-profit sector began with a work-study position at a local dance studio, and grew during her years as an independent dancer, choreographer and producer to include program management, fundraising, public relations, and a specialty in non-profit accounting. Previously, Jenny served as Accounting Manager for Building Changes, where she was responsible for financial oversight, internal controls, asset management and human resources. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. Outside of work, Jenny still frequents dance studios regularly, travels to far flung lands to watch art and figure skating, and bakes a mean cookie.

Mia Devine, Project Manager

ph: 206.267.2213 | email: mia at nwseed.org

Mia manages multiple clean energy projects for Northwest SEED, including our WA Rural Renewables Program. Mia has over ten years of experience working in the renewable energy industry conducting technical feasibility studies of utility-scale wind farms, due diligence reviews of wind turbine supply and maintenance contracts, project management of proposals and budgets, and hands-on installation of residential solar and wind power equipment. Most recently, Mia worked with wind project developers, government agencies, multinational corporations, investors, tribal communities, and utilities at Det Norske Veritas (DNV/formerly Global Energy Concepts). Mia also co-founded a national group encouraging the participation and advancement of women in the wind energy industry and recently completed volunteer work in Central and South America where she helped to install and maintain solar electric lighting systems in rural communities. Mia holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Grinnell College and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. When not at work, you can find Mia tending either her urban farm in Seattle, or her rural farm in Bellingham.

Alexandra Sawyer, Project Manager

ph: 206-267-2213 | email: alex at nwseed.org

Alex manages projects that advance renewable energy deployment and education across the Pacific Northwest. In her six years at Northwest SEED, she has spearheaded the development and launch of our Solarize Washington program and worked with Oregonian farmers to cultivate clean-powered rural energy projects. After taking a year off to pedal south on her bicycle, Alex is back to develop our new Affordable Solar program, collaborating with low-income housing stakeholders to expand clean energy opportunities. She holds a double B.A. in Environmental Studies and International Studies from the University of Washington. Outside the office, you can find Alex hiking, climbing, and dreaming up her next big two-wheeled adventure.

Jaimes Valdez, Policy Manager

ph: 206.914.3510 | email: jaimes at nwseed.org

Jaimes is responsible for regulatory, market and legislative policy issues for Northwest SEED. Based out of Portland, he is often in Seattle, Salem and Olympia. He brings over a decade of experience in renewables, including in project development, energy planning, utility marketing, and advocacy. Before joining Northwest SEED, Jaimes worked for the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability for over five years, helping launch a number of energy initiatives and representing Portland in regulatory proceedings. In 2012, Jaimes spent a year in Germany as a Robert Bosch Fellow researching the integration and development of renewables in German energy markets. While there he worked for the Federal Environment Ministry in Berlin and a regional energy utility in Freiburg. Jaimes holds a B.A. in Physics and Environmental Studies from Whitman College. He has served on numerous non-profit boards, helping build local sustainability efforts in communities around the Pacific Northwest. During his scarce free time, Jaimes can be found fixing some vintage biodiesel vehicle, cycling roads and trails with his wife, or camping under drizzly skies.

Camilla Walter, Development Manager

ph: 206.267.2216 | email: camilla at nwseed.org

As Northwest SEED’s Development Manager, Camilla works with individuals, foundations, and corporate partners to advance our mission and promote awareness of clean energy initiatives. Camilla most recently worked for a healthcare organization based in NY, raising funds to support research, advocacy, and patient services. Camilla received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied English Literature. Camilla’s internship at the William J. Clinton Foundation cemented her dedication to public service. Her passion for environmental conservation has been with her since childhood days spent hiking and kayaking through the Adirondacks.

Jill Eikenhorst, Project Coordinator

ph: 206.457.5403 | email: jill at nwseed.org

In Jill’s role as Project Coordinator, she focuses on managing and conducting community education on renewable energy. Most recently, Jill served as the Development and Communications Coordinator for Mountaineers Books. Prior to that, Jill coordinated development, communications and operations for the Seattle chapter of Ashoka, an international organization supporting social entrepreneurs. She has also held two AmeriCorps positions coordinating sustainability programs for the Phinney Neighborhood Association, City Fruit and EOS Alliance. Jill received a B.A. in English from the University of Puget Sound and has completed certificate programs in grantwriting and strategic communications. Jill bikes everywhere, and enjoys camping, growing veggies, and cooking up sustainable meals.

Working With You

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Northwest SEED provides educational events to community members to support renewable energy project development.

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Find More Resources

Northwest SEED provides publications, guidebooks and web tools that help communities pursue clean energy projects.