Co-Founder and Executive Director

Over the last 25 years, Vanessa has worked on policy, education, and community engagement in international organizations, private corporations, and scrappy nonprofits. In 2020, while retrofitting her own home to net zero, Vanessa realized the importance and challenge of decarbonizing our buildings. With the professionals she met on that journey, Vanessa co-founded Electrify DC as Executive Director.

Vanessa has a law degree from Université de Lausanne, a master’s of laws from University College London, and a master's in business administration from INSEAD. She is quoted in publications such as The Washington Post and The Atlantic. Vanessa lives in DC with her husband and three children. You can find her weeding in Rock Creek Park or on building sites, which are her happy places.

Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer

A graduate of McKinley Tech and Howard University, Donna has served the people of the District of Columbia for 38 years, most recently at the DC Department of Health. In 2010, she earned her mark in history as the first medical recipient of the Cafritz Award for Distinguished DC Government Employees. Donna is also the CFO and Vice President of RJ Electric Works, a DC Certified Business Enterprise. She is passionate about leading a workforce that has both technical competence and moral integrity.

Along with her B.S. in nursing, Donna has a master in business administration from Walden University. She considers her greatest accomplishments to be her three awesome and beautiful adult children, and serving as a minister in her DC neighborhood church.

Sustainability Director

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

Grant Program Manager

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Cas is a graduate student at the University of Denver in the Environmental Policy and Management program. They are passionate about the intersection of energy, electrification, and climate justice. Cas aims to improve the adoption rates of renewables and electrification. They are also interested in utilizing climate related products to enhance health outcomes and address economic disparities.