March is Women’s History Month, so to celebrate, we’ve been featuring some of the amazing women that work at U.S. Light Energy. You’ve already had the chance to meet each of them on our Facebook page, but to finish the month, we’re posting all of them together. These incredible women are each an integral part of the team, providing invaluable leadership and expertise, helping to make U.S. Light Energy the success that it is.
Katie Christiansen
Financial & Program Analyst
“I’m so proud to be involved in the shift to solar as NYS works to reduce its impact on climate change.”
Katie joined US Light Energy in the spring of 2020, after previously working with a nonprofit organization, helping to improve energy efficiency and access to community solar for low-income households. Outside of work, Katie is all about her pets, including two horses and one dog, and loves hiking, traveling, and drinking tea.
Gina Marie Cannistraro
Executive Assistant
“I love that at US Light Energy, we have a nimble business strategy and our work is done in the spirit of service.”
Gina Marie joined US Light Energy in November of 2019 as an Executive Sales Assistant. In her current as Executive Assistant, she leads various internal initiatives and supports the Executive Team, and the Sales and Operations Teams as needed. Previous positions include work as Legal Services Coordinator for The Legal Project, providing pro bono civil legal services and support for the most vulnerable people in our community. Outside the office, Gina Marie works on creative projects and enjoys her time as a social dancer and music aficionado.
Megan Davis
Outside Sales Land Leasing
“I am excited about the opportunity to help landowners utilize their vacant land to make money, while also creating renewable energy, helping the environment, and engaging with others who have the same interests.”
Megan is a new addition to the US Light Energy team, having joined us just three months ago. Prior to working at US Light Energy, she worked for a mechanical contracting company, as a Construction Administrator, assisting the project manager and tradesman on large scale projects. Having grown up in a small town, and living there again now, Megan was drawn to US Light Energy because people that we work with most, farmers and landowners, are just like her neighbors and friends. When not working, Megan’s passion is flipping houses. She loves her two dogs, gardening, sports, music, spending time laughing with family, and adventures.
Arleen Reyes
Virtual Office Assistant
“I believe in the Company’s main goal of creating distributed renewable energy, and helping to create a better future for our children and the planet.”
Arleen Reyes has been a member of the US Light Energy team since late 2019. This is her first position in the renewable energy industry. Outside of work, her son is her motivation. Seeing her son growing up, Arleen believes that finding a better alternative – a cleaner source of energy – is very important, not just in the present but also for the future.
Sydney Baldwin
Inside Sales Land Leasing
“I believe that solar energy will help to care for our planet and help to preserve it for future generations.”
Sydney joined US Light Energy a year ago as an Inside Sales Assistant, before taking on her new role as Inside Sales Land Leasing this past Fall. She is motivated by the team here at USLE, and is proud to be part of such a great collaborative group. In addition to solar energy, Sydney is passionate about ocean conservation and cleaning up our beaches. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, creating art, ocean sports, and spending as much time outside as possible. In the future, Sydney hopes to start her own animal rescue farm, to give farm animals a wonderful home to live out their lives.
Toni Popolizio
Chief Financial Officer
“I know that our company is making a positive impact. Not just for us, but for future generations.”
With over 20 years in finance and accounting, including 8 years at Proctor and Gamble in Manila, and 7 years in the renewable energy industry, Toni leads our Finance team, and is one of the senior executives at US Light Energy. Toni’s vision highlights the positive impact we make on communities, beyond the benefits renewable energy and solar energy in particular have on the planet. “We also help landowners earn from their unused property, the income of which can be passed down to their heirs. We also create jobs, not just during the development and construction of the project, but during the life of the system, which can be as long as 40 years.”
When she isn’t helping to lead US Light Energy, Toni can be found spending time with her husband and 2 parrots, at monthly dinners with girl friends, or learning new skills, like painting, sewing, or needle felting.