Renewable Energy Leaders
Since 2005, REN21 has produced widely used, crowd-sourced data that highlights evidence-based case studies and provides insights and narratives to empower advocates from local to global levels.
This extensive body of evidence underpins the REboot the World Campaign, celebrating renewable energy leadership from governments, Indigenous Peoples, private sector pioneers and civil society leaders.
These leaders are the unsung heroes of the energy transition. They have made groundbreaking contributions that often go unnoticed. Their stories demonstrate that the energy transition is not only possible but transformative, driving economic development, social progress, innovation, electrification and energy access—even in remote regions.REboot the World brings their efforts into the spotlight, amplifies their voices and shares their invaluable knowledge to inspire collective action and accelerate a just, inclusive, and equitable energy transition for all.
Renewable Energy Leaders
Ramon Mendez Galain is former Energy Secretary of Uruguay. He successfully led the recognised transformation of the Uruguayan energy sector to include 98% renewables in the energy mix. Ramon is also founder and Executive Director of Ivy, an organisation working to accelerate the energy transition in Latin America. Ramon holds a degree in Physics from the University of Grenoble, France and a PhD in Physics from the University of La Plata, Argentina.
Eng Rosilena Lindo is former National Energy Secretary of Panama (2023 – 2024), previously served as National Undersecretary for 3 years. She was appointed as Executive Advisor to the Minister of Environment in Panama (2014-2018) and former Climate Change Director at the Ministry of Environment (2014-2017). She also served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Forum of Designated National Authorities of the Clean Development Mechanism of Latin America. She also was Senior Regional Energy Expert & Project Manager “Development of a Solar Water Heating Market in Panama UN Environment, Latin American and the Caribbean Regional Office. She was member of the engineering team supervising the Panama Canal expansion at the Panama Canal Authority. Rosilena holds a BS in Engineering, and two MSc one in Environmental Science – Renewable Natural Resources and Environmental Management from UASLP, Mexico and another in in Technology, Renewable Energy, Environment & Resource Management In Tropics & Subtropics from Cologne University of Applied Sciences. She authored and co-authored more than 15 energy public instruments at national level including the Green Hydrogen Strategy, Universal Access to Energy, Interconnect Grid System Innovation Strategy, Energy Transition Communication Strategy, Solar Water Heater Action Plan, among other, all with gender focus and implemented through an ample multi and interdisciplinary participation process.
James Fletcher is currently the Chair of the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and managing his own consulting firm Soloricon. James Fletcher was the Minister for Public Service, Information, Broadcasting, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology in Saint Lucia from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure, he led an aggressive modernization of the energy sector. He is also Founder of the Caribbean Climate Justice Project. James Fletcher played a leading role in the Caribbean’s ‘1.5 to Stay Alive’ civil society campaign and during the COP21 negotiations he was selected by the COP President to be part of the ministerial team that helped achieve consensus on the elements of the Paris Agreement. He led the Caribbean’s delegation to COP21. He was recognized by Global Optimism in Profiles of Paris as one of the people who played a key role in creating the historic Paris Agreement. James Fletcher holds a PhD degree in Plant Physiology from the University of Cambridge and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Missy Stults works with all city operations, residents, businesses, the University of Michigan, nonprofits, and others to make Ann Arbor one of the most sustainable and equitable cities in America. Prior to joining the City, Missy worked with local governments and indigenous communities around the nation to advance their climate and sustainability goals, including during her time as the Climate Director at ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and as a consultant to philanthropic organizations. Missy has a PhD in urban resilience from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Climate and Society from Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in Marine Biology and Environmental Science from the University of New England.
Christopher Taylor, Mayor of Ann Arbor
Mayor Taylor has served as Mayor since November 2014, after serving three terms on Ann Arbor City Council. Mayor Taylor believes that local government’s mission is to improve basic services and enhance quality of life. During his tenure, Ann Arbor has worked to accelerate road maintenance, modernize drinking water infrastructure, expand storm water detention, beautify parks and natural areas, and deploy unrelentingly professional police and fire services. Beyond this focus on the fundamentals, Mayor Taylor has led initiatives to promote non-motorized transportation; develop an unarmed public safety response program, utilize municipal land for 1000+ units of new, permanent affordable housing; and develop the funding, staffing, and political will necessary to establish and achieve a goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.
Katherine Lucey is the Founder of Solar Sister. Lucey is a Schwab Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year, an Ashoka Fellow, and a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Entrepreneur. She has received recognition and awards for her work with Solar Sister including Clinton Global Initiative, Social Venture Network, C3E, and International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) Champion of Change Award.
Porferio Jabla is the Founding Chairperson of Yamog Renewable Energy Development Group, Inc., a pioneering non-profit organization in the field of micro-hydropower development in off-grid communities in Mindanao, Philippines. Currently, Jun manages the project managing the project Acceleration of Sustainable, Clean Energy-Driven Development in Mindanao (ASCEND – Mindanao). The project aims to scale up Yamog’s unique development initiative to sustain the momentum towards a clean energy transition in Mindanao. This project will enable Yamog to mobilize a broad, critical mass of renewable energy users and advocates effectively working towards the acceleration of an inclusive and sustainable utilization of renewable energy in Mindanao. Jun holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Resource Management from the University of Southeastern Philippines. He has 30 years of experience in developing, implementing and managing rural development projects.
Marisol Oropeza is a leading voice in the global solar thermal movement and a seasoned business and marketing strategist. With over a decade of experience in the solar industry across Mexico and Germany, she brings deep expertise and an unwavering passion for sustainable energy solutions.
In 2017, Marisol founded Heat Changers, a global network that shines a spotlight on solar heating and cooling technologies, amplifying their role in decarbonizing heat and advancing the energy transition. She has contributed to key international initiatives such as the Solar Heating Initiative, Global Solar Certification Network, Intersolar Mexico, and the Solar Payback project in Mexico.
From 2020 to 2024, she served as Head of International Affairs at ANES (Mexican National Solar Energy Association), strengthening Mexico’s global engagement on solar energy. Known for her creativity, cross-sector insight, and compelling storytelling, Marisol is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and moderator at international energy and climate forums.
In 2016, she founded her consultancy, matters., through which she advises leading solar companies around the world on strategy, communications, and market growth. Through every project, Marisol champions solar thermal as a practical, people-centered solution—and continues to inspire others to help #RebootTheWorld with renewables
Find out more about Heat Changers: https://heat-changers.com/
Leading Organisations
350 Hope Hub
We’re building a movement that fights for a fairer future for all. We believe in the collective power of ordinary people taking action.
WWF Case Studies
Energy Efficiency in Action. The science is clear. The transition to a 100 per cent renewable energy system is possible, and can help to avert climate catastrophe.
Climate Action Network
CAN International promotes a just and equitable phaseout of fossil fuels and expansion of renewables to achieve 100% renewable energy systems
Yamog
Yamog’s mission is to improve the sociocultural, economic, and environmental well-being of the poor in Mindanao.
Solar Sister
Solar Sister envisions a more prosperous world powered by women entrepreneurs.
SophiA
The objective of the SophiA project is to provide sustainable off-grid energy supplies and clean drinking water for rural and remote health facilities in Africa.
Our Global Partners
