Kate is Senior Director of Systems and Strategy for Encore Renewable Energy. She joined the company in 2020 as a project manager and quickly became an integral piece of the women-led construction team, serving as Director of Construction & Procurement. In her current role, Kate streamlines company operations and creates efficient systems supporting the development and deployment of half a gigawatt of solar and energy storage over the coming years. Her work to date has supported the development of roughly 36 MW of solar across the Northeast. Kate also manages Encore’s sustainable supply chain and ESG reporting, ensuring the company continues to leverage business as a force for good while bringing clean energy to the region. Kate was named one of Vermont Business Magazine’s Rising Stars in 2024.
A native Vermonter, led by her passion for the environment, Kate is a true climate champion. She is Vice President of the Board at the Old Spokes Home helping to expand access to bikes for all Vermonters. She is also Community Build Coordinator for Window Dressers in Burlington, where her efforts are lowering heating costs and reducing CO2 pollution by installing low-cost insulating window inserts. On a fresh powder day, you can catch her headed uphill at Bolton, making first tracks before heading into work.
3 Questions to get to know Kate
What does a sustainable future mean to you?
A mentor in college got me away from using the phrase “sustainable” (you wouldn’t feel great if your spouse described your marriage as “sustainable,” would you?). And, I think using it is just a constant reminder that climate change could make things really bad really fast, and we can only do so much as individuals to push back. And frankly I don’t think that mindset is sustainable. So , what I want for the future is this— that we all have the attitude that “when we know better, we do better,” that we don’t wait for a miracle technology to solve all of our problems, and we start today doing the best we have given our current options. And, that we remember why we do these things— because our communities and our families bring us joy, because stepping outside and noticing cool bugs brings us a sense of wonder, because we know we have an obligation to take care of each other to the best of our abilities and the best of our knowledge.
What’s your favorite way to spend time outside?
Backcountry skiing with my husband and my dog.
What’s a great book or podcast you’ve engaged with recently?
When We Cease to Understand the World—can’t say it’s uplifting, necessarily, but a reminder of the power (both good and bad) in scientific discovery and what it’s like to engage at the edge of the known.
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.