Envisioning Leadership While Innovating the Future of Clean Energy
When Christine Eibs Singer began exploring how to create clean energy enterprises in developing countries with capacity building and funding, she never pictured herself as the CEO of a growing international energy powerhouse two decades later. Today, as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of E+Co , Christine has overseen the organization's growth from a start-up to an international leader in the developing country energy finance space.
Originally funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Christine Eibs Singer and Phil Larocco began as consultants, eventually forming E+Co in 1994. For eight years, Phil served as CEO with Christine as his "right hand," working closely with him and serving as the public face for E+Co through her work as a fundraiser, alliance-builder, and spokesperson. During that time, she was honored to receive the Women of Inspiration Award from Fairleigh Dickinson University and served as a founding member of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs. When Phil retired in 2009, Christine was appointed CEO in the midst of a full-blown recession. Christine wisely took stock of the situation.
"What kind of leadership is really needed right now?" she asked herself, recalling Phil's strong and distinctive style. Today, Christine holds a vision of the organization's future -- and a refreshed vision of herself as leader and CEO. She brings her own leadership approach, applying strengths and experience to the organization's goals and challenges, even as E+Co pioneers a new model for incubating and growing energy initiatives in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
To accomplish this clarity, Christine stepped away from the business for two days in June 2010 and outlined the near-term strategic direction of E+Co. Working privately with Kate Ebner and the Nebo team, she assessed her approach, strengths, vulnerabilities, values, style and goals as a leader. She updated her inner picture from deputy leader to CEO, forming a detailed vision not only of what she would accomplish as CEO, but also
who she is as a leader and how she would lead. Christine gained clarity about her organization, her leadership and her next steps over the course of two-days of intense discussion and reflection.
"My time with Kate and her team helped me recognize opportunities and tensions that needed to be tackled, both internal to my leadership ability and to the organization.The ability to pause and reflect on 'what am I in service to and how do I get served' was liberating. Kate's prodding and post retreat availability has allowed me to maintain a focus on building from my strengths and staying true to what matters most to me as a leader.This is one of the best investments I have made and I am working hard for it to continue to return value to me, personally and professionally."
About E+Co
E+Co makes clean energy investments in developing countries. E+Co's innovative business model provides lasting solutions to climate change and poverty. On January 18, 2011, E+Co was awarded one of two runner up awards selected from 391 submissions from 69 countires for the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize, honoring individuals, companies, or organizations that are tackling pressing energy issues. Each submission was evaluated based on three key components -- long-term vision, innovation and leadership. Christine was further honored in February when she was informed that she will receive the 2011 Keystone Leadership Award for the Environment at its 18th Annual Leadership Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2011.
