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Social and Environmental Justice

Leading the way in Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The mission of Encore’s Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JDEI) working group is to develop and strengthen our company’s policies, methods and processes to ensure that we operate and grow in alignment with our core values and commitment to social and environmental justice. We are committed to a safe and inclusive workplace where team members can be their authentic selves. This work is ongoing and includes identifying opportunities for internal learning and development, and fostering and strengthening both new and existing partnerships with an emphasis on promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

We are committed to building the clean energy economy – but using our business to make the world a better place gives our work its meaning.

OUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL JUSTICE

We are committed to standing up for Black lives, acknowledging the deep systemic structural racism that exists in our country today and confronting injustice as we build a diverse and equitable clean energy future.

Learn more about our commitment to racial justice

OUR COMMITMENT TO LGBTQ+ INCLUSION

We know how important it is that all of our employees feel they can live and work openly, as their authentic selves. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive work environment for everyone regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Learn more about our LGBTQ+ initiatives

OUR COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY

Our Democracy only works when everyone participates. As a company, we have provided educational resources around voter registration and access across our team and the communities we serve. Election day is a paid holiday for our team and we believe it should be for everyone. No one should have to choose between a vote and a paycheck.

Learn more about our commitment to Democracy

Our work at Encore

Industry leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Encore was one of the first companies to achieve a gold-level SEIA DEIJ Certification.

In 2021, the Solar Energy Industry Associations launched a first of its kind online certification program designed by Diversity Certified Professionals that uses evidence-based approaches to improve diversity practices within companies. Since that time, our team has worked through a broad range of modules in order to create a more inclusive work environment, better serve the communities we work in, and attract, hire, promote, and retain diverse talent. As we’ve worked through the curriculum, we were one of the first companies to earn a bronze certification back in January 2022. We gained our silver certification in June 2023.

Since that time we’ve continued to work through additional modules and make improvements to company operations.

Highlights include:

  • Launching 3 Employee Resources Groups to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the communities in which we work.
  • Expanding our parental leave policy which now includes 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents, regardless of the parents’ gender, including both adoption and birth, with flexibility to schedule leave during the child’s first year to accomodate their needs.
  • Improving internal communications by implementing a quarterly internal newsletter to increase company-wide engagement with our justice, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
  • Establishing formal policies for remote work and bereavement leave

We will continue to seek input and advice on how to become a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Learn more about the DEIJ Certification Program

Our work with partners and communities

VBSR Logo

Supporting a diverse clean energy workforce

The solar industry workforce is growing fast, and we’re committed to doing what we can to increase diversity and equity within the field. Learn more about our initiatives below:

EDICT Internship Program

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in June of 2020, Devin Hampton, the CEO of UtilityAPI, spoke up loud and clear, and he challenged the climate tech sector to take action to move diversity and inclusion forward. His colleague and friend, Jason Michaels, CCO of Leap, joined him, and EDICT was created. A few months later, in the fall of 2020, the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) was invited to partner with Elemental Excelerator (EEx) and FutureMap to launch the EDICT (Empowering Diverse Climate Talent) Internship Program.

Launched in 2021, EDICT matches employers, who take the EDICT Pledge, with summer interns to support the skills and network development of rising leaders from traditionally excluded groups and to empower climate organizations in creating inclusive cultures. The EDICT Pledge calls on companies to commit to six areas: pushing for inclusion of diverse voices at conferences and industry events, interviewing diverse candidates for every job opening and mentoring them on a path towards success, having uncomfortable conversations needed to support the careers of diverse people within organizations, searching out diverse mid-career and senior hires from other industries, hiring paid interns from diverse backgrounds, and using data and transparency to hold themselves accountable.

Cameron Reaves started as an EDICT intern in 2021 and is now a full time Business Development at Encore. He managed our 2023 EDICT Intern, Savannah Doty.
Summer Rucker, our 2022 EDICT Intern, is now a full-time Engineering Associate in the field of civil engineering.
Savannah Doty, our 2023 EDICT Intern, returned to the University of Chicago to complete her degree in Public Policy and Environmental Studies

Vermont Works for Women

Vermont Works for Women’s Trailblazers is a training program to support the entry and success of women and gender non-conforming individuals in careers in construction and the trades. Participants in the program have the opportunity to obtain or increase skills and certifications for jobs that are in high demand. Amber Lessard has been involved with the program for years, offering her expertise as a licensed electrician and experienced construction and project manager to empowering the next generation of women and gender expansive solar installers.

Encore is also proud to sponsor VWW’s annual Women Can Do Expo. This event informs young folks who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM about technical career opportunities. Many of these jobs are in high demand as Vermont transitions to a cleaner economy, and the Women Can Do conference is a great example of a way to advance inclusivity in this transition.

Learn More and Get Involved

Volunteering/community work

Our goal is to encourage employees to be their best in all facets of their lives. To show our support for employees’ civic engagement, we offer a paid volunteering day every quarter. Our team members have offered over 450 hours of their time to community service since 2021.

Community Caregivers

“I’ve been volunteering through a program called Community Caregivers over the past year in a half. I grocery shop with Isabelle (shown in photo) once every 3 weeks. Going grocery shopping is beneficial for both of us as it gets us out of the house and socializing together. She has a big personality, and an even bigger heart at 97 years old!” 

– Rob Greer

Refugee Assistance

“We initially had a Ukrainian family stay at our apartment for a few weeks while they were looking to find a longer-term solution. We later raised $15,000 from friends in the US to work alongside a close friend of ours in Czech to support what ended up being more than 50 refugees over 12+ months (the efforts are ongoing). Through our efforts (which we played a support role in – he was far more active) we provided housing, basic necessities, Czech language classes, clothing, toys, musical instruments, sporting equipment and friendship. Additionally we were able to enroll all of the children into schools and assist the adults in securing work in CZ. At this point 100% of the adults are employed.”

– Blake Sturcke

King Street Youth Center

“I have been a mentor through the King Street Center since March 2023, and it has been a wonderful experience. My mentee Sharifa and I spend 2 hours together each week, doing a range of activities including swimming, listening to BLACKPINK, going to Spare Time in Colchester, and eating ice cream. It has been really rewarding being a mentor because I have been able to build a relationship full of joy and trust with Sharifa in just 3 months, and I am excited to see how we are able to grow together in the next year.”

– Taegen Kopfler

Putnam Avenue Upper School

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with the kids of Putnam Avenue Upper School this past May, sharing our passion for soccer. Through an after-school program, I worked with 6th-8th graders to help improve their skills and understanding of the sport. Given the important role that soccer has played in my life, I jumped at the opportunity to get better acquainted with my new city through a different lens. I appreciate PAUS for welcoming me, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. It’s a privilege to be a part of a company like Encore that encourages meaningful community engagement among employees and provides the resources to do so.”

– Josh Dansie

Supporting a healthy democracy

There’s a significant gap between the population of adults who are registered to vote and those who actually cast their ballot. We’re committed to empowering our employees to participate in our democracy.

Empowering voting participation

One of the most common reasons employees give for not making it to the polls is conflicting work schedules. That’s why election day is always an Encore company holiday. We joined the Time to Vote initiative, along with thousands of other companies, committing to removing the obstacle that prevents so many from fully exercising their democratic rights.

Learn More and Get Involved

Our work in action

New solar array supports local school district with community impact donation

Mar 25 2025

Encore Renewable Energy presenting $10,000 check outside Spaulding Educational Alternatives in Barre, VT(Pictured Left to Right: Lauren Glickman, VP of Policy and Communications, Encore Renewable Energy, Chad Farrell, Founder and co-CEO, Encore Renewable Energy, JoAn Canning, Superintendent, Barre Unified Union School District, and Jesse Schattin, Director SEA) Barre, VT– Encore Renewable Energy, a leading renewable…

Read more »

Encore releases 2024 Impact Report

Mar 17 2025

From humble beginnings and a small handful of team members to a pipeline of over half a gigawatt of solar and storage assets to be deployed in the next few years, Encore’s impact has grown dramatically. We continue to track our impact and have released our first-ever Impact Report. We are excited to reflect on…

Read more »

Amber Lessard joins Vermont Works for Women Board of Directors

Jul 24 2024

This July, Encore Director of Construction and Asset Management, Amber Lessard, began her newly elected term to Vermont Works for Women’s (VWW) Board of Directors. Amber has worked with VWW in various capacities since 2017, serving as an instructor for their Trailblazers program and other workshops. Throughout her years of involvement, Amber has introduced individuals…

Read more »

#1 Solar Developer in Vermont  •  Top 25 Ranking Among US Solar Developers

Encore’s Environmental Impact

  • 30,403

    Number of average New England homes powered.
  • 335,524

    Tons of CO2 offset.
  • 283,000,000

    Number of auto miles offset to date.
  • 212,000

    Acres of US Forest carbon sequestration.
  • 180,000,000

    Pounds of coal replaced to date!
  • 375,000

    Number of barrels of oil Encore Renewable Energy's projects have replaced to date!

A Certified B Corp

The team at Encore Renewable Energy® is proud to be certified as a B Corp, joining over 3,500 other businesses worldwide who also share a commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Learn more

Our Company

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    • Why Go Solar?
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    • Clean Energy FAQs

A portfolio company of SUSI Partners


50 Lakeside Ave #110

Burlington, VT 05401

802-861-3023

 

 

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