As we celebrate 25 years of energy leadership, we recognize the important work our nonprofit members are doing to make the world better. From education to healthcare, housing to public service, culture to human services, they are making a difference in all our lives. And we support them in that journey by reducing the cost, carbon, and complexity of energy.
As we look ahead, our mission remains resolute and our vision clear: to create an affordable, resilient, sustainable energy future. With gratitude for the past and determination for the road ahead, together with our Members, we will light the way toward a cleaner and brighter future.
Please join us on April 3rd from 5:00-7:30pm at Artists for Humanity in Boston, as we celebrate PowerOptions’ 25 years of serving nonprofits and honor nonprofit and energy leaders who have made and continue to make a difference, at Power for Purpose.
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The Vision Awards
PowerOptions is presenting our first-ever Vision Awards, honoring five leaders in the nonprofit and energy community who have advanced their vision of what is possible in equity, sustainability, and the future of energy through innovation, action, and advocacy, which provided lasting impact for nonprofits and under-resourced organizations and communities.
Cynthia A. Arcate
Cynthia is receiving the Innovation Award for developing PowerOptions’ first solar program, one of the very first uses of the then-novel PPA structure which allowed nonprofits and public entities to benefit from tax-based incentives. Thanks to both her leadership and innovative action to capitalize on the market opportunity, she has created long-lasting impact through PowerOptions, which includes:
- Spinning out and stabilizing the PowerOptions platform for enduring success.
- Innovating to leverage the PowerOptions procurement model to serve the Members’ needs and evolving energy landscape in both solar PPAs and large-scale renewable energy procurement that has now amounted to including over 90MW of solar generation and nearly 30MW of wind generation to date, and line of sight to hundreds more MW in to-be-built projects.
- Building the legacy of PowerOptions which is now, 25 years later, a trusted non-profit platform for energy expertise and advocacy that continues to evolve to support nonprofits in not only cost savings, but now also carbon savings.
Cynthia A. Arcate – Innovation Award Recipient
Ms. Arcate has over 35 years’ experience in the energy industry. She retired from her position as President & CEO of PowerOptions at the end of 2019. Under Ms. Arcate’s leadership, PowerOptions grew its core electricity and natural gas programs and expanded the portfolio of products and services to include best in industry terms for solar development and commodity buying, electric vehicle charging stations, storage, and energy efficiency. Ms. Arcate started her career as a staff attorney at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. She then spent fifteen years at what is now National Grid as an attorney and a senior executive. She served as Deputy Commissioner for Programs at the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources and Director of Business Development for Comverge, a leading demand response company. In her retirement, Ms. Arcate has become a volunteer and Board member at the Newton Food Pantry and chairs its Governance Committee. She also serves on the Board of the Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which oversees the operation of the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course. Ms. Arcate holds a B.A in Government from St. Lawrence University and a J.D. from New York Law School.
Robert Ciolek
Bob is receiving a Visionary Award for his prescience and understanding of the opportunities for nonprofits in the soon-to-be restructured, competitive energy markets. Thanks to his vision and innovative action to capitalize on the market opportunity he has created long-lasting impact through PowerOptions, which includes:
- Developing an innovative model for procurement that empowered small and large nonprofits with the buying power, contract protections, and expertise-drive procurement that would be unavailable to them on their own.
- Assisting hundreds of non-profits and public entities save tens of millions of dollars (we’ve lost track how much!) on their energy costs.
- Creating a trusted non-profit platform for energy expertise that continues to evolve to support nonprofits in not only cost savings, but now also carbon savings, including over 90MW of solar generation to date, and hundreds more in future projects.
Robert J. Ciolek – Visionary Award Recipient
Robert J. Ciolek’s illustrious career is highlighted by his impactful roles in public service and as a leader in various non-profit and governmental organizations. Notably, as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Ciolek played a pivotal role in issuing over $20 billion in tax-exempt bonds, significantly benefiting healthcare and educational institutions, and he launched PowerOptions to further benefit these organizations. His leadership extended to transforming the New Bedford Oceanarium and the Highlands Center, Inc., where he drove sustainable development and educational initiatives. Ciolek’s work is characterized by his commitment to enhancing community services, infrastructure development, and promoting sustainability, leaving a lasting legacy in public service and environmental stewardship.
Paul Levy
Paul is receiving a Visionary Award for his prescience and understanding of the opportunities for nonprofits in the soon-to-be restructured, competitive energy markets. Thanks to his vision and innovative action to capitalize on the market opportunity, he has created long-lasting impact through PowerOptions, which includes:
- Developing an innovative model for procurement that empowered small and large nonprofits with the buying power, contract protections, and expertise-drive procurement that would be unavailable to them on their own.
- Assisting hundreds of non-profits and public entities save tens of millions of dollars (we’ve lost track of how much!) on their energy costs.
- Creating a trusted non-profit platform for energy expertise that continues to evolve to support nonprofits in not only cost savings, but now also carbon savings, including over 90MW of solar generation to date, and hundreds more in future projects.
Paul Levy – Visionary Award Recipient
Paul F. Levy is a distinguished author, speaker, and corporate advisor renowned for his transformative leadership as President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) from 2002 to 2011. Under his guidance, BIDMC emerged from financial turmoil and became a global leader in clinical care, research, and education, in affiliation with Harvard Medical School. Levy is celebrated for pioneering transparency in clinical outcomes and engaging in innovative staff collaboration to avert layoffs during financial crises. His career spans significant roles, including Executive Dean for Administration at Harvard Medical School, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and leadership positions in environmental and infrastructure policy. Levy’s thought leadership extends to academia, where he served as Adjunct Professor of Environmental Policy at MIT and is currently a Professor at the D’Amore-McKim School of Management at Northeastern University, alongside contributing strategic insights at Lax Sebenius, LLC.
Dennis A. Villanueva
Dennis is receiving a Trailblazer Award for his leadership at Mass General Brigham in implementing a broad range of sustainability and clean energy projects and initiatives. Not only has he helped MGB make incredible progress on its goals, he has also:
- Driven MGB to be a leader for other organizations, PowerOptions Members and beyond, with his steadfastness and innovation.
- Helped steer PowerOptions into new innovative programs that will help PowerOptions continue to deliver enormous value to its Members – VPPA, BERDO, EIS, etc.
- Volunteered tirelessly to advocate for other similar organizations, at the EEAC, on PowerOptions’ MAC, and countless others we’re sure we don’t know about.
Dennis Villanueva – Trailblazer Award Recipient
Dennis Villanueva is the Director of Energy Strategy & Procurement at Mass General Brigham, boasting over thirty years in energy management and procurement with a focus on renewables, emerging technologies, and efficiency. At the helm of energy utilities management and procurement for Massachusetts’ largest private employer and a leading healthcare system, he has been instrumental in driving the institution towards its net zero carbon goals for 2030 and 2050, significantly reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while securing substantial financial savings. Dennis has led the execution of over 40 MW of renewable and alternative energy, including wind, solar, and fuel cell installations, showcasing his deep industry understanding and leadership in energy policy and innovation. A mechanical engineering graduate from UNAH with a master’s in Energy Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, he holds multiple certifications and serves on influential energy boards, contributing to the transition to a clean, efficient, and sustainable energy future.
Mary Wambui-Ekop
Mary is receiving an Impact Award for advancing energy equity in low-income communities, communities that are core to PowerOptions’ mission. You have been a tireless standout leader in this area through just a few areas that PowerOptions has seen firsthand, such as:
- Driving greater transparency, stated goals, and real progress through the creation of the Equity Working Group at EEAC.
- Helping to transform energy ratemaking for low-income ratepayers through advocacy and work at the legislative, administration and regulatory venues.
- Volunteering to support decarbonization deployment and affordability in your own backyard of Lowell.
- Relentlessly and publicly speaking out about the needs to support low-income communities through the energy transition in public forums across New England, which has been a force multiplier catalyzing legislative, policy change as well as grassroots efforts.
Mary Wambui-Ekop – Impact Award Recipient
Mary Wambui-Ekop is an affordable housing asset manager for the Planning Office For Urban Affairs (POUA), a non-profit social justice ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. She also serves as a Councilor in the Massachusetts EEAC–the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council–where among other things she is the co-chair of the EEAC’s Energy Equity Working Group. She is also a member of the Grid Modernization’s Advisory Council Equity Working Group, a member of Lowell’s Sustainability Council, and she is on the Boards of Green Energy Consumers Alliance, NECEC and the Coalition for a Better Acre in Lowell. She is well recognized as a leader and advocate for housing, climate & energy equity in the region.