Testimonials from EFI Climate CEO Fellows
Brent Beerley — former CEO, Community Energy (acquired by AES)
“I still don’t really understand how Chris pulled this off, but he’s managed to build a group of highly successful entrepreneurs without the inflated egos -- which has made for some magical experiences.
I joined to get out of my little echo chamber and got way more along the way, with the new relationships being the highlight.
I’ve also found that this group has renewed my sense of optimism regarding climate change.
I’ve been blown away by the talent within the next generation of climate tech entrepreneurs – shifting to now believing that we will innovate and deploy our way out of this in our lifetime.”
Abby Hopper — former CEO, SEIA; international expert on solar and women in leadership
“When you’re navigating federal policy shifts and pushing for systemic diversity across the clean energy sector, finding a true peer space is nearly impossible. Most executive circles feel like a circular bragging ground. This cohort is radically different. It’s a high-level brain trust where I can untangle macro bottlenecks and workforce equity challenges with peers operating at scale. There is humanity across the group that is unique and much needed.
Chris is a kind coach who doesn't let you hide behind your public profile. He cuts straight through the noise to focus on your personal leadership stamina and core purpose. He asks hard questions, holds you accountable, and has your best interests in mind. His grounding perspective is exactly what you need when you're managing the intense weight of industry-wide advocacy.”
Joseph McMillin — former co-founder and CEO, Atlas Organics (sold to Generate Capital)
“I joined this CEO group to be able to engage and share ideas with others in the impact space who work on sustainable infrastructure projects.
The group allows me to collaboratively work with others on capital structures, project management, and general business management practices.
It also gives me a sounding board as a business leader to discuss both personal and professional goals.”
Kameale Terry — Cofounder and CEO, ChargerHelp!
"Being part of this CEO peer group has been awesome. It's such a relief to know that I'm not alone on this journey of building a climate tech company.
The other members are not just super accomplished, but also kind, humble, and giving human beings.
That's the kind of tribe I want to surround myself with.
And Chris really cares about our growth as people and as leaders of impact. His guidance comes in the form of feedback and investor introductions for our capital raise, recommendations for the perfect books I needed, mental models to help with our strategy, and connections to fellow CEO members who have tackled the same challenges and opportunities we are facing."
Bud Vos — Serial CEO in climate tech
“As a CEO, the role can often feel lonely at the top. EFI has created something incredibly valuable: a trusted community of leaders who openly share experiences, challenge each other’s thinking, and help generate real solutions to difficult problems.
What makes EFI unique is not just the strength of the network, but the willingness of its members to collaborate with authenticity and candor. The opportunity to learn directly from peers who are navigating similar leadership, growth, and organizational challenges is rare and deeply impactful.
EFI has become more than a community; it’s a forum for continuous learning, leadership development, and meaningful connection among people building companies and shaping the future.”
Liz Dennett — Founder and CEO at Endolith
“Running a company at the intersection of biotech, AI, and heavy mining means juggling very different worlds. The day-to-day can get overwhelming. For me, this cohort provides a critical space for long-term clarity and accountability. Members challenge your assumptions and offer real operational insight, not just encouragement.
Chris is a steadying force - he cuts through the noise and helps you refocus on mission and execution. His perspective has changed how I lead for my team and board.”
Ryan Waddington — CEO and Co-founder at Cowboy Clean Fuels; former VC investor
“In EFI, Chris has created a completely unique organization. A true community of climate leaders who have committed to sharing their experiences freely while opening themselves up to new ideas. EFI members are competitive and driven people who make time to slow down and share.
Chris has fostered a culture where members both support and push each other, and where everything is on the table – strategy, fundraising, team dynamics, tools and systems, when to double down, and how to get to an exit.
The only requirement is to be present and engaged. Chris’ masterful facilitation and space-making skills take care of the rest. Running my company has me busier than I’ve ever been in my career, but I make time for EFI. Every interaction makes me a better leader and manager.”
Emilie Flanagan — Founder and CEO at Carson Power
"Scaling a mission-driven business requires moving faster than traditional structures usually allow, and this group has been essential for unlocking that velocity. It has become our tight-knit lab for trading real-world AI best practices. We aren't just talking about vague tech trends; we are actively sharing the specific workflows, automated systems, and AI tools that allow us to scale our own executive capacity and build our companies faster.
Chris provides the personalized executive coaching needed to anchor this tech transition. Because he understands what it takes to scale a business and raise capital, he helps us connect these efficiency tools directly to our bottom-line strategy. He pushes us to eliminate operational noise so we can focus on high-leverage execution and hitting our climate milestones faster."
Bill Flederbach — Founder and CEO at Climeco
"As a founder and CEO who built a firm that leans into personal development at every level of the organization, I eventually realized I was missing something: that same investment and commitment for my own growth. Then along came EFI and Chris Wedding.
What I value most is learning alongside other climate tech CEOs at all stages of their journey. The sharing is open and honest. Nobody's trying to look good; we're just being real about what keeps us up at night, swapping the excitement and the challenges, and learning from each other. Every time I engage, whether it's a retreat or a CEO breakout call, I come away energized, unplugged from the daily grind, and thinking differently."
Jonathan Tan — Co-founder and CEO at Coreshell
“Moving a hard-tech breakthrough out of the lab and into global manufacturing supply chains is difficult, to say the least. For Coreshell, scaling our battery technology means simultaneously managing massive capital requirements and complex multinational OEM partnerships. This peer group has been an anchor through tremendous growing pains. It’s a rare, safe space where you can candidly dissect details at so many levels — tactically, strategically, emotionally. And you get to do it with fellow climate CEOs who are super successful in their own journeys, just as passionate as you are, and in the same foxhole you're in, which is hard to find.
Much of that magic comes down to Chris. He’s an expert builder who really understands the intersection of finance, strategy, and leadership. He knows exactly when to push you on a blind spot and when to hand you the framework you need to clear an executive bottleneck. He keeps everyone focused on what actually moves the needle.”
Will Kain — Founder and CEO at Avnos
“Many founder groups feel like networking events or unstructured social clubs. EFI is the opposite. It’s a room where CEOs can talk honestly about what’s actually hard.
The egos are low, there’s zero chest-thumping, and the conversations somehow manage to include as much laughter as strategy insight.
Chris does a great job creating the right tone. His mix of operating experience, investor perspective, and calm curiosity makes people open up fast.”
Nick Flores — Managing Director, Capricorn
“I joined Entrepreneurs for Impact to engage with a passionate, diverse, and empathic cohort of individuals who share my commitment to combatting climate change.
While I’ve been quite pleased with the opportunity to learn from so many different business leaders, what I’ve found equally valuable are the personal connections I’ve already made.
When I factor in the personal coaching from Chris, all I can say is that I feel quite fortunate to have found this group.”
Blake Sturcke — CEO, Encore Renewable Energy
“This CEO group is truly an elite cohort of diverse professionals with a common goal — to advance the climate economy quickly and profitably.
I've already learned so much, and it’s refreshing to speak so candidly in a confidential group.
While I joined primarily to scale our solar and storage project development business, I’m also finding that the group is super supportive of my own personal growth.
On top of this, Chris is a savvy investor, master networker, and insightful guide.”
Dave Goldberg — President, Mithun
“Generic business and leadership coaching has its place and value.
But the EFI model attracts a cohort of mission-driven leaders who are just as entrepreneurial about their whole selves and positive impact on those around them as they are about their own businesses.
Through this culture of generosity - giving as much as receiving - the results are profound for these leaders and their ventures alike.”
Phil Brennan — Co-founder and CEO, Echogen
“I joined the group to challenge my current thinking, to access a diverse group of opinions from people who share in the mission to create a 100% renewable energy future.
I could have chosen to do the same thing I've done for the last decade and repeat my tried-and-tested methods, but this CEO group is challenging my old ways of doing things and giving me space and time to arrive at new insights and strategies.
Our hope is that it will catapult the growth of our long-duration energy storage business.
Plus, Chris' experience in private equity, startups, and meditation brings a unique and eclectic perspective to guide the group."
Charlie Dimmler — CEO, Holiferm
“I believe that if you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.
And we’re always in the wrong room at some time.
This CEO cohort offers benefits from both the personal development and business growth perspectives.
It’s a group of ambitious, accomplished, humble, and giving individuals focused on using startups to make big positive impacts out there.”
Doug Willmore — CEO, World Tree
“Where else can you get together to think deeply and learn from and with a group of open-minded and accomplished climate CEOs?
Chris has put together a really great group of professionals and created a pathway for all of us to continue learning and growing amid busy careers.
It paid for itself in the first meeting — a peer member introduced me to a new strategic billionaire partner.
I can’t recommend his CEO peer group enough to other leaders.”
Nicole Poindexter — Founder and CEO, Energicity
“This highly vetted group of high achievers helps me uncover blind spots and learn what I don’t know, but need to know.
Chris and the members challenge me to think differently, and in a way that clearly puts my best interests front and center.
We’re all about personal and professional growth, and the meetings leave me refreshed and inspired.”
Scott Frazier — CEO, Storworx; Cofounder, Carbon America
“I have over three years of experience in other (more generalist) CEO peer groups, so I understand the value of such organizations deeply.
However, this Climate Mastermind is different, in a good way.
For me, this group is a powerful next step in my growth and our company’s growth because it involves sharing experiences with CEOs who measure themselves against how much difference they are making vs. just having a successful business.”
Jay Lipman — Cofounder, Ethic
“Since joining this peer group, I have been blown away by how much of the climate community I did not know of, and how deeply entwined Chris is with those making the most interesting waves in the space.
I continue to learn from Chris in our one-on-one sessions, as he draws on his unique experience guiding many founders like me in the fast-moving and highly esoteric world of climate tech and finance.
Beyond the huge insight and value Chris has provided me, the community itself is both supportive and engaged, always offering their experience, network, introductions, and friendship.
I am thankful to be a part of this community and grateful to Chris for creating it with such vision, intelligence, and humility.”
Stacy Flynn — Cofounder and CEO, Evrnu
“When I joined this CEO group, like any busy CEO I immediately thought, “I don’t have time for this!”
But once I saw the group of amazing members and started digging into their backgrounds, I realized I couldn’t afford NOT to take the time.
Chris is great; he is well-connected, genuinely helpful, and working to help us all become better leaders and run better businesses.
The group is aligned in terms of our collective desire to reduce climate impacts through our work, and I am consistently inspired by the other leaders in my cohort who face similar day-to-day adversity and joy as they grow their businesses.
For me, it’s totally worth it."
April Mendez — CEO, Greenprint Partners
“Chris has been an ideal mentor for me, helping me identify blind spots and providing the kind of practical counsel that you can only get from someone who really knows the climate and impact sectors.”
