Today we’re talking about embracing vulnerability and having the resilience to transform challenges into remarkable opportunities for growth and healing. 

Resiliency plays a crucial role on the road back from any obstacle or difficult situation in our lives. It’s that part of us that says, “I won’t be defeated by this. I will not give up,” regardless of what is thrown our way. Though disappointment and loss are an inevitable part of life, how we choose to show up and deal with these things determines whether we remain stuck as a victim or are able to move forward and thrive. That spirit of resiliency is within us all, and when we can tap into our courage in the face of crisis, anything is possible.

My guest today, Kimberlee Centera, is a pioneer and innovator in the renewable energy industry and is someone who wholeheartedly illustrates the power of resilience. She is one of the only female CEOs of a utility-scale renewable energy consulting practice, and she uses her knowledge and experience to encourage and mentor women from around the world. As a risk management expert for the development and financing of large-scale generator energy projects, leading industry stakeholders rely on her to ensure the smooth closing of transactions on complex high-value projects.

Kimberlee joins me to share how she began working in the renewable energy industry, becoming one of the first women in the field, and how her dedication to her values proved to be the key to her success. She talks about how her resilience has helped her persevere through every roadblock she has faced, and why vulnerability and the ability to let go of what we can’t control is the key to overcoming adversity and achieving all that we set out to accomplish in life.

When I think about leadership and creating a new leadership model, I think so much of that is being vulnerable and the fact that it’s not a one-time event. I’m finding it’s something that you have to be able to do over and over.”  –  Kimberlee Centera

About Kimberlee:

Kimberlee Centera is a trailblazer in the renewable energy industry. She is one of the only female CEOs of a utility-scale renewable energy consulting practice. As a risk management expert for the development and financing of large-scale generator energy projects, she possesses the expertise to identify, manage and mitigate risk. Leading industry stakeholders rely on her to analyze and resolve legal issues and ensure the smooth closing of transactions on complex high-value projects.

An enthusiastic champion of women, Kimberlee believes that diversity is essential in meeting the demands of the rapidly growing renewable sector. She understands that women face many barriers to job retention and career advancement. Frequently, they carry the burden of balancing both work and family. Having experienced these challenges in her life, she encourages and mentors women from around the world, by offering them actionable skills that help them to articulate their value, so that they can confidently negotiate raises and promotions. 

She contributes her time and talent to professional organizations including Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE); Women in Cleantech & Sustainability (WCS); and the Women in Wind Global Leadership Program, a joint initiative of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition, (GWNET). She has conducted numerous workshops that teach women strategies to help them achieve their career goals. 

As an entrepreneur, Kimberlee has been recognized as a finalist for the Women in Power award; the San Diego Business Journal CEO of the Year award; and the National Association of Women Business Owners Green Community award. She recently presented a SUE Talk for Connected Women of Influence (CWI); she will be a speaker at the Climate Council conference, and she is a finalist for the 2021 Women Advocate of the Year Award. Kimberlee was also named one of the top 100 innovators on the North American Power List 2021.

A leading renewable energy expert, she is a contributor to North American Clean Energy. She has been a guest on numerous podcasts and radio programs including National Public Radio’s Marketplace. She frequently serves as a speaker and educator at wind and solar energy conferences.

About TerraPro Solutions:

TerraPro Solutions is a leading renewable energy project development consultancy. The company has generated over 12 GWs in solar, wind, and energy storage. With a total financed value of over $6 billion, TerraPro Solutions is the top development consultancy in the renewables market. 

TerraPro Solutions provides high-level expertise in the development and implementation of renewable energy projects including wind, solar, and energy storage. From inception to transaction closing, they use their real-world knowledge to continually assess and mitigate risk, to ensure that all legal requirements and project milestones are met. TerraPro Solutions works with leading domestic and international renewable energy development organizations. Clients include SunEdison, Panasonic Eco Solutions U.S., AES Energy Storage, Ecoplexus, Infinity Wind, Tradewind and Silver Ridge Power, ENGIE, BayWa r.e., and Q CELLS, to name a few. 

Developing successful renewable energy projects requires a team that is committed to fundamental values that include integrity, dependability, and trustworthiness. TerraPro Solution’s core value is “first be a good human.”

“We don’t always have all the answers, but I do think we need to know what our truth is. There’s only so much that we can control. I learned that I had to let the rest of it go. I had to be clear on my part and what I could control, and I would stand secure and firm in that and let the rest of it go. We can’t control it all.”  –  Kimberlee Centera

Check out the video below to watch our interview:

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