Testimonials from EFI Climate CEO Fellows
Nicole Poindexter — CEO, Energicity
“This highly vetted group of high achievers helps me uncover blind spots and learn what I don’t know, but need to know.
Chris and the members challenge me to think differently, and in a way that clearly puts my best interests front and center.
We’re all about personal and professional growth, and the meetings leave me refreshed and inspired.”
Blake Sturcke — President, Encore Renewable Energy
“This Mastermind is truly an elite cohort of diverse professionals with a common goal — to advance the climate economy quickly and profitably.
I've already learned so much, and it’s refreshing to be able to speak so candidly in a confidential group.
While I joined primarily to scale our solar and storage project development business, I’m also finding that the group is super supportive of my own personal growth.
On top of this, Chris is a savvy investor, master networker, and insightful guide.”
Phil Brennan — CEO, Echogen
“I joined the group to challenge my current thinking, to access a diverse group of opinions from people that share in the mission to create a 100% renewable energy future.
I could have chosen to do the same thing I've done for the last decade and repeat my tried and tested methods, but this Climate Mastermind is challenging my old ways of doing things and giving me space and time to arrive at new insights and strategies.
Our hope is that it will catapult the growth of our long-duration energy storage business.
Plus, Chris' experience in private equity, startups, and meditation brings a unique and eclectic perspective to guide the group."
April Mendez — CEO, Greenprint Partners
“Chris has been an ideal mentor for me, helping me identify blindspots and providing the kind of practical counsel that you can only get from someone who really knows the climate and impact sectors.”
Doug Willmore — CEO, World Tree
“Where else can you get together to think deeply and learn from and with a group of open-minded and accomplished climate CEOs?
Chris has put together a really great group of professionals and has created a pathway for all of us to continue to learn and grow in the midst of busy careers.
It paid for itself in the first meeting — a peer member introduced me to a new strategic billionaire partner.
I can’t recommend his Mastermind peer group enough to other leaders.”
Nick Flores — Managing Director, Caprock
“I joined Entrepreneurs for Impact to engage with a passionate, diverse, and empathic cohort of individuals who share my commitment to combatting climate change.
While I’ve been quite pleased with the opportunity to learn from so many different business leaders, what I’ve found equally valuable are the personal connections I’ve already made.
When I factor in the personal coaching from Chris, all I can say is that I feel quite fortunate to have found this group.”
Joseph McMillin — CEO, Atlas Organics
“I joined Masterminds to be able to engage and share ideas with others in the impact space who work on sustainable infrastructure projects.
The group allows me to collaboratively work with others on capital structures, project management, and general business management practices.
It also gives me a sounding board as a business leader to discuss both personal and professional goals.”
Charlie Dimmler — CEO, Checkerspot
“I believe that if you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.
And we’re always in the wrong room at some time.
This CEO cohort offers benefits from both the personal development and business growth perspectives.
It’s a group of ambitious, accomplished, humble, and giving individuals focused on using startups to make big positive impacts out there.”
Scott Frazier — Cofounder, Carbon America
“I have over three years of experience in other (more generalist) CEO masterminds, so I understand deeply the value of such organizations.
However, this Climate Mastermind is different, in a good way.
For me, this group is a powerful next step in my growth and our company’s growth because it involves sharing experiences with CEOs who measure themselves against how much difference they are making vs. just having a successful business.”
Jay Lipman — Cofounder, Ethic
“Since joining the Mastermind, I have been blown away by how much of the climate community I did not know of, and how deeply entwined Chris is with those making the most interesting waves in the space.
I continue to learn from Chris in our one-on-one sessions, as he leverages his unique experience guiding many founders like myself in the fast-moving and highly esoteric world of climate tech and finance.
Beyond the huge insight and value Chris has provided me, the community itself is both supportive and engaged, always offering their experience, network, introductions, and friendship.
I am thankful to be a part of this community and grateful to Chris for creating it with such vision, intelligence, and humility.”
Kameale Terry — Cofounder and CEO, ChargerHelp!
"Being part of this CEO peer group has been awesome. It's such a relief to know that I'm not alone on this journey of building a climate tech company.
The other members are not just super accomplished, but also kind, humble, and giving human beings.
That's the kind of tribe I want to surround myself with.
And Chris really cares about our growth as people and as leaders of impact. His guidance comes in the form of feedback and investor introductions for our capital raise, recommendations for the perfect books I needed, mental models to help with our strategy, and connections to fellow CEO members who have tackled the same challenges and opportunities we are facing."
Stacy Flynn — Cofounder and CEO, Evrnu
“When I joined the Climate Masterminds group, like any busy CEO I immediately thought, “I don’t have time for this!”
But once I saw the group of amazing members and started digging into their backgrounds, I realized I couldn’t afford NOT to take the time.
Chris is great; he is well-connected, genuinely helpful, and working to help us all become better leaders and run better businesses.
The group is aligned in terms of our collective desire to reduce climate impacts through our work, and I am consistently inspired by the other leaders in my cohort who face similar day-to-day adversity and joy as they grow their businesses.
For me, it’s totally worth it."
Brent Beerley — former CEO, Community Energy (acquired by AES)
