Lindauer Seeks New CEO for Solar One
June 30, 2021 – Lindauer has been retained by Solar One to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. CEO Deb Taft is leading the search along with senior consultant Terri Rutter. Solar One’s mission is to advance energy justice through the design and delivery of innovative education, training and technical assistance that foster sustainability and resilience in diverse urban environments.
The incoming CEO will be a proven organizational leader with a commitment to Solar One’s mission to expand renewable energy throughout New York City and beyond, according to Lindauer. “Solar One is uniquely positioned to grow its programs in bold new directions, both to new regions in the tri-state area and to other states and cities, as well as through innovative enterprise initiatives,” the firm said. “Leading this growth in reach and impact will require an entrepreneurial executive with experience navigating city, state and federal government agencies along with proven expertise as a fundraiser and relationship builder.”
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Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO is the chief executive of Solar One and is responsible for the leadership and management of the organization and for achieving the organization’s strategic and revenue goals. The successful candidate will bring at least seven years of non-profit experience and five years management experience. The CEO will have skill working with a board of directors and the ability to envision and convey the mission and strategic future to a range of stakeholders.
Serving Non-Profits
Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals and academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. It has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.
Ms. Taft leads Lindauer with over 25 years of executive and senior-level experience across the non-profit sector, from education to healthcare/academic medicine to the youth service and voluntary sectors. Her expertise includes governance, strategic planning, fundraising, program and staff management, strategic marketing, analytics, and constituent engagement, as well as talent recruitment, retention, and development.
Ms. Rutter brings a wide array of non-profit, advancement, and communications and marketing expertise to Lindauer, excelling in placing top leaders and executing team builds in multiple sectors. Having served in various senior advancement and management roles, she is well-versed in the responsibilities of leadership. Ms. Rutter is experienced in recruiting executive directors, SVPs and VPs, national directors, and high-level frontline fundraisers and marketing and communications professionals for a broad range of world-class educational and medical institutions and national non-profits. Past and current clients include Boston Children’s Hospital, City of Hope, George Washington University, George Washington University Medical and Health Sciences, Colby College, Phillips Academy, JDRF, Massachusetts General Hospital, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Climate Central, Chautauqua Institution, Institute for Advanced Study, Life University, Washington State University and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Recent Search
Lindauer recently placed Mark Brimhall-Vargas as executive vice president of racial equity and social justice for Fenway Health. Faith Eutsay led the assignment. “Mark has the perfect combination of professional background, knowledge and lived experience to shape this inaugural role into a force for change at Fenway Health,” said Ellen LaPointe, chief executive officer of Fenway Health. “Throughout his career, Mark has woven vision, strategy, thoughtfulness and humility together to drive meaningful and measurable change in large, complex institutions. Mark will play a key role in helping Fenway Health navigate a transformative process that will enable us to reach and serve everyone who stands to benefit from the care, services, research, education, and advocacy we provide.”
Dr. Brimhall-Vargas brings 25 years of experience in change management, organizational development, and training and programming around systemic inequities, most recently at Brandeis University, where he was chief diversity officer and vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
