Two industry leaders bring renewable development and financial governance expertise to support WRISE’s next phase of growth.

April Christensen and Jean Nelson-Houpert bring deep expertise in renewable development, finance, and strategic governance to help guide WRISE’s growing impact across the clean energy industry.

Brooklyn, NY — [April 1, 2026] — Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) today announced the appointment of April Christensen and Jean Nelson-Houpert to its Board of Directors. Their addition strengthens the organization’s leadership at a time of rapid growth across the clean energy sector and expanding demand for inclusive leadership in the energy workforce.

As the clean energy industry accelerates globally, WRISE continues to expand its programs, partnerships, and professional network to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and industry.

The addition of Christensen and Nelson-Houpert brings extensive experience in renewable project development, finance, governance, and strategic leadership, further positioning the organization to advance its mission of building an inclusive and equitable energy ecosystem where people and the planet thrive.

Both leaders will support WRISE in advancing its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening organizational foundations, expanding membership as a community engine, enhancing key programs, and providing data leadership to advance accountability across the energy sector.

April Christensen brings significant leadership experience in utility-scale renewable energy project development, with demonstrated success delivering complex, large-scale projects across the United States.

She currently serves as Senior Director of Project Development at Clearway Energy Group, where she leads a team responsible for delivering a significant portion of the company’s 30-gigawatt pipeline of energy assets, spanning wind, solar, and battery projects across multiple regions.

Christensen previously led development of the 1.3-gigawatt Samson Solar Energy Project at Invenergy, one of the largest solar projects in the United States, and brings a career-long focus on advancing clean energy solutions through complex, multi-stakeholder development efforts.

Christensen has been an active and dedicated member of the WRISE community for almost a decade since being named a Rudd Mayer Fellow in 2016. Serving on the WRISE Leadership Forum planning committee for six years, including the last two as Co-Chair, she continues to help shape one of the clean energy industry’s most impactful leadership gatherings.

She holds a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, as well as undergraduate degrees in Piano Performance and Biology from Hastings College.

“WRISE has played an important role in my professional journey for more than a decade, and I’m honored to serve on its Board of Directors at such a pivotal moment for our industry. The strength of WRISE lies in its engaged and diverse community. I look forward to working alongside its members to help advance a more inclusive and equitable clean energy future.”

Jean Nelson-Houpert joins the Board with more than 25 years of leadership experience in finance, corporate accounting, and sustainable investment strategy.

She currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Volt Energy Utility, a national minority-owned utility-scale renewable energy developer, where she oversees the company’s financial strategy and operations. She also serves as a Financial Counselor for the Sharing the Power Foundation, supporting communities disproportionately affected by climate change.

Nelson-Houpert previously served as the inaugural Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO of the DC Green Bank, where she played a key role in establishing the institution as a financing engine for clean energy deployment and climate investment in Washington, D.C.

Her career includes leadership roles at Grant Thornton LLP and other executive finance positions. She holds a BBA in Finance from Temple University, a Master of Jurisprudence from Tulane Law School, and certifications in ESG Investing and Sustainable Management from Columbia Business School. She also serves on several advisory boards, including Village Capital and Halcyon House.

“I’m honored to join the board of Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). WRISE’s commitment to advancing equity and inclusion, expanding access, and building a more inclusive clean energy future deeply aligns with my values and the work I strive to champion. I look forward to collaborating with this remarkable team and community to elevate diverse leadership, strengthen our industry, and ensure that the transition to clean energy benefits every community.”

WRISE leadership welcomed the new appointments as an important step in the organization’s continued growth and industry impact.

“April and Jean bring an exceptional combination of industry insight, strategic leadership, and financial expertise to the WRISE Board,” said Constance Thompson, Board Chair of WRISE. “As the clean energy sector continues to grow and evolve, their perspectives will strengthen our governance and help guide WRISE’s next chapter of impact. We are honored to welcome them and look forward to the leadership they will bring to advancing our mission and supporting the professionals driving the energy transition.”

For more than two decades, WRISE has supported the advancement of professionals in the clean energy industry through education, leadership development, mentorship, and community-building initiatives. With a rapidly expanding membership and chapter network, the organization continues to play a critical role in shaping the future workforce of the energy transition.

“At WRISE, our strength comes from the collective leadership and dedication of our community. April and Jean each bring deep experience and a strong commitment to advancing the clean energy industry,” said Doseke Akporiaye, Executive Director at WRISE. “Their voices and expertise will help us expand opportunities, strengthen our programs, and continue building a more inclusive and collaborative energy ecosystem. I’m excited to work alongside them as we grow WRISE’s impact across North America.”

WRISE will be hosting its flagship Conference; The WRISE Leadership Forum from September 29 – October 1, 2026, which is expected to surpass last year’s attendance of more than 500 participants. As the industry continues to scale, organizations like WRISE play an increasingly important role in cultivating the leadership talent needed to sustain long-term energy transformation. Individual membership continues to grow, corporate partnerships are expanding, and there are now over 47 active chapters across the United States and Canada serving WRISE’s 25,000+ network.

To learn more about the WRISE Board of Directors, please visit the WRISE Leadership page.

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About Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy:

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), formerly Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), was founded in 2005 to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of the community. For more than two decades, WRISE has supported the advancement of professionals across the renewable and sustainable energy industries through leadership development, mentorship, education, and community-building initiatives. As the clean energy workforce continues to grow, WRISE’s expanding membership, corporate partnerships, and chapter network play a critical role in strengthening leadership pathways and advancing a more inclusive energy transition. For more information about WRISE, visit www.wrisenergy.org.

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