MEM Alumni Chosen for Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Energy Category
On December 1st, Forbes announced their 10th annual 30 Under 30 list that recognizes entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide. Maria Agazio and CJ Gooderham, cofounders of Equitable Solar Solution™, were honored in this year’s class of professionals under the age of 30 who are making an impact in energy justice. The Forbes 30 Under 30 list is comprised of professionals who are reimagining business and entrepreneurship. “Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 features honorees in 20 different categories, including: art and style, education, energy, finance, food and beverage, games, healthcare, Hollywood and entertainment, manufacturing and industry, marketing and advertising, media, music, retail and ecommerce, science, social impact, social media, sports, consumer technology, enterprise technology, and venture capital. To compile the list, Forbes collaborated with an expert panel of judges in each category, including Tyra Banks, TV personality, model, and entrepreneur; Miley Cyrus, celebrity singer and actress; Lisa Lewin, chief executive officer, General Assembly; Jason Robins, cofounder, Draft Kings; Ziwe Zumudoh, comedian and writer; […] and more.” (Forbes).
Agazio and Gooderham were selected for their roles in cofounding Equitable Solar Solutions™. ESS™ is a nonprofit program within Coldharbour Institute that diverts used solar photovoltaic equipment from the landfill and puts their remaining useful life to work powering low-income households and communities. Forbes noted that ESS™ “has diverted more than 10 tons of waste from landfills so far.” CJ and Maria’s former professor, Dr. Kate Clark of Western University stated, “It will come as no surprise to the Western community, that these students credit dozens of Western staff and faculty members for their success.” CJ shared, “It is with the utmost gratitude to have this honor being in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2022, and I want to give thanks to the university that made it possible. I would not have been given this honor if it wasn’t for the amazing faculty and staff that supported me during my time at Western.” Maria, added, “This honor is tremendously important because it brings light to the energy justice movement and highlights the need for solar panel and inverter waste diversion plans and the need to close the gap in access to solar energy for low-income communities. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this program and I attribute a huge part of its success to our mentor Rich Stromberg.” Finally, Rich (also a cofounder) said, “I couldn't have been happier for CJ and Maria upon learning of their honors as inductees to the 2022 Class of Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the Energy category. CJ's and Maria's hard work almost three years ago in their ENVS capstone course and continued dedication to the vision of the Equitable Solar Solutions™ program at Coldharbour Institute embody the spirit and drive of what Western students can be and the change they can effect in our world. The fruits of their labor (both the accolades they receive and their impact on low-income communities) are a direct result of all the seeds that have been sown over the years by those who work to build the Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability and Coldharbour Institute into programs and spaces that promote environmental and social justice. Today is CJ's and Maria's day and I can't stop smiling for them.”
“The Forbes brand today reaches more than 150 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 44 licensed local editions in 77 countries”(Forbes). The Equitable Solar Solutions™ team see this honor assisting them with bringing light to the energy justice and waste diversion movement that their program is centered around. The cofounders encourage interested parties to get involved by donating funding or sponsoring a branch of our administrative operations, which will help facilitate more solar array installations. ESS™ has a long-term plan in place to scale their material diversion and community benefits nationwide. This plan will involve the several components of regenerative community activities including solar installation career training for at-risk populations, wheelchair and phone charging stations for homeless and senior populations, utility scale solar reallocation and continued capture of discarded solar panels, inverters and mounts. You can donate at: www.EquitableSolarSolutions.com - We accept individual solar panels, bulk panel donations, inverters, racking material, cash and employee wage sponsorships donation.
For more information on Equitable Solar Solutions™, visit: https://www.coldharbourinstitute.org/equitable-solar-solutions.html or email: ess@coldharbourinstitute.org
About Coldharbour Institute: Coldharbour Institute is a learning laboratory where we demonstrate regenerative living practices that bring health to our bodies, land and communities. It is our mission to educate and empower youth and community members to make an impact in sustainability and regenerative solutions for our community and beyond. We work with students, industry professionals, and community members of all ages to envision a thriving community that is restored, revitalized, and ultimately regenerated through our interactions with the land. Located in Gunnison, Colorado, we provide youth and community classes and research opportunities.