About Empower Generation

- 20
- Women-led businesses
- 279,447
- People with cleaner, safer light and power
- 55,576
- Clean energy products distributed to customers
- $2,040,473
- US dollars saved on household energy expenses
- 12,224
- Tons CO₂ displaced

OUR STORY

EG grew from the passions of its co-founders.

Anya was looking to offer sustainable employment to women otherwise vulnerable to slavery while Bennett was thinking about how to enable the widespread adoption of clean energy in developing countries.

When Anya and Bennett met Sita in Nepal, together they identified a tremendous opportunity to create gender and energy paradigm shifts by empowering women to become clean energy entrepreneurs.

OUR GENERATION

meet our team

Anya CherneffCo-Founder + Executive Director, U.S.

Masters Human Rights (University of Denver), BA Anthropology (Columbia University). After fighting human trafficking and modern slavery for over five years, Anya decided to try a market-based approach to gender and development. Her experience includes Founder and Associate Director of the Human Trafficking Clinic and a Princeton-in-Asia fellow in Malaysia.
Quirk: “I’m also known as the Bonz!”

Sita AdhikariCo-Founder + Country Director, Nepal

Masters Economics (Tribhuvan University), BA Commerce (Sahid Smriti College). While working as our first entrepreneur Sita decided she wanted to extend opportunities to women around Nepal. Sita believes women can increase their social value by becoming economically productive and independent.
Quirk: “I always thought a Holstein was a cross between a cow and a horse!”

Aysha RajputCommunications Director, U.S.

Masters International Relations (Johns Hopkins University), BA International Affairs (George Washington University). With experience in marketing, business development, and communications, Aysha has worked in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors in Austria, Laos, Rwanda, and the U.S.
Quirk: “Though I can’t carry a tune, I love karaoke!”

Sitaram PaudelFinancial Officer, Nepal

Masters Business Administration, BA Commerce (Tribhuwan University). After working over 12 years as a financial officer in several companies, Sitaram decided to transfer his experience to tackle social challenges faced by his community. Sitaram manages accounts and provides financial oversight in Nepal.
Quirk: “I think I’m a good dancer but I don’t have a dancing platform!”

Kabita SubediProgram Coordinator, Nepal

Masters Financial Management, BA Accounting (Tribhuwan University). Growing up in the mountains near Pokhara, Kabita knew many women living without opportunities. Her goal is to help improve the lives of women in Nepal, and she is able to do this through her role coordinating and supporting our entrepreneurs.
Quirk: “I have worse handwriting than my young daughter!”

Suman HomegainProgram Coordinator, Nepal

Bachelors Management (Tribhuwan University), Masters in Sociology (Tribhuwan University) under way. Suman’s interest lies in social work, especially life skills training. She has experience conducting peer-based skills and training to teenagers and adolescents. Her dream is to help rural women become financially independent through entrepreneurship.
Quirk: “I write with my right hand but do everything else with my left hand!”

Eric NelsonFinance Director, U.S.

BS Finance & Economics (Santa Clara University). Interested in the intersection of business and sustainability, Eric also loves when good business is doing good. His experience includes working as an Investment Analyst for an impact fund focused on developing markets and graduating from a Fortune 500 financial rotational program. Eric also is also a mentor at the Global Social Benefit Institute.
Quirk: “I organize the local chess meet-up!”

Abhilasha PoudelCommunications Coordinator, Nepal

Masters Business Administration (Purvanchal University), Bachelors Computer Information System Pokhara University). Her interest lies in developing entrepreneurs and promoting alternative energy. Her role supports and helps the women of rural areas become successful entrepreneurs and she has experience in training and development in the NGO sector.
Quirk: “I have an appetite for books especially mysteries and thrillers.”

Rajendra Man KarkiField Mobilizer, Nepal

Intermediate in Economics. As a Field Mobiliser, Rajendra’s major task is to assist entrepreneurs and sales agents in successful operation of their business. Rajendra loves to see an increase in the level of income for women and enjoys working toward the outcome.
Quirk: “My daughter complains I snore loud while sleeping. She avoids sleeping anywhere near me!”

Rishta KarkiTechnical Officer, Nepal

Undergraduate in Industrial Engineering, Institute of Engineering. Drawn to solar, after seeing panels installed in Kathmandu in 2015, Rishta has a rigorous interest in the field of renewable energy. Her role involves managing technology in Kathmandu and becoming an expert in all that we sell.
Quirk: “I can see everything growing and flourishing except my nails. A pro nail biter!”

Anil ShresthaOperations Manager, Nepal

CFA Level III Candidate (CFA Institute, U.S.), Masters in Finance (Tribhuvan University). Anil has extensive experience working in the field of access to finance through financial innovation. He believes the combination of financial innovation and decentralized energy solutions can provide sustainable and inclusive energy to people at the base of the pyramid.
Quirk: “I can binge watch a whole TV season in one go, especially drama!”

our board

our advisory board

Lisa Cagnolatti, VP Customer Service Operations, Southern California Edison

Dave Chen, CEO, Jade Sky Technologies

Eric M. Clare, Managing Partner, Digital Concepts 2.0

Nancy Y. Lin, Program Director, Impact Capital, Miller Center for Entrepreneurship

Nancy Schwartz Sternoff, Principal, G&S Consultants

awards and recognition

Ashden Award Winner 2017	D-Prize Winner 2016	Tory Burch Foundation, Fellows Competition Finalist 2016	C3E, International Award for Women Advancing Clean Energy Winner 2015
Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, Northwest Regional Winner 2015	SOCAP, Scholarship 2015	Santa Clara University, Global Social Benefit Institute Fellowship 2015	C3E, International Award for Women Advancing Clean Energy Finalist 2014
TEDx Zurich, Speaker 2014	Katerva, Accelerating the Future Finalist 2013	UN Women Singapore, Project Inspire Finalist 2013	Echoing Green, Semi-Finalist 2013
EIT Climate KIC, Stage 1 Fellowship 2013	Technical University of Delft, Sustainable Business Competition Winner 2012	Technical University of Delft, Starting New Ventures Competition Winner 2012