About Empower Generation

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!”

Abhilasha PoudelDeputy Program Manager, 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!”

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

Hogan Lovell Community Solar Innovation Award	Ashden Award Winner 2017	D-Prize Winner 2016	Tory Burch Foundation, Fellows Competition Finalist 2016
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 Winner 2015
TEDx Zurich, Speaker 2014	C3E, International Award for Women Advancing Clean Energy Finalist 2014	Katerva, Accelerating the Future Finalist 2013	UN Women Singapore, Project Inspire Finalist 2013
EIT Climate KIC, Stage 1 Fellowship 2013	Echoing Green, Semi-Finalist 2013	Technical University of Delft, Sustainable Business Competition Winner 2012	Technical University of Delft, Starting New Ventures Competition Winner 2012