DC Green Bank
Our Team New/Old
Eli Hopson
Donald Walker
Jean Nelson-Houpert
Sandy Paik
Jay Lurie
Brandi Colander
Tommy Wells
Sarosh Olpadwala
Jonathan Kayne
Hannah Hawkins
Ricardo Nogueira
Todd A. Monash
Edward Hubbard
Priya Jayachandran
Eli Hopson is CEO of DC Green Bank, where he leads the strategic and operational implementation of DC Green Bank's programs and fosters relationships with key partners and stakeholders. His thoughtful and decisive approach has so far successfully led DC Green Bank through the challenge of launching operations during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Under his steady leadership, DC Green Bank has developed its first financial offerings, established strategic relationships, and explored opportunities to realize the District's ambitious Clean Energy goals and DC Green Bank's mission of becoming the integrated hub of information and investment to accelerate DC's transition to a sustainable and thriving future. A clean energy expert, Eli previously served as VP of Legal and Chief Compliance Officer at Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, successor to a merger with Cube Hydro Partners where he was VP of Legal, Regulatory, and Policy. Eli's prior experiences also include Latham & Watkins, Union of Concerned Scientists, US House of Representatives Committee on Science, and US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Eli received his B.A. and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Donald Walker is Director of Operations for DC Green Bank, where he manages and implements the operational and organization effectiveness plans. His many responsibilities include strategic planning, human resources, marketing, information technology, and administrative programs. Donald's extensive background in leadership, career, and organizational development is critical to DC Green Bank's success. Donald's commitment to being a go-to resource goes beyond DC Green Bank. He serves as an adjunct professor in Towson University's College of Business and Economics. Prior to DC Green Bank, Donald served in various leadership roles at Virginia Tech, Towson University, Kelly Services, and Lucas Group. He is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and sits on the Surrattsville High School Alumni Board. Donald received his B.S. from Towson University, M.A. from the University of Delaware, and M.B.A. with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Learning from Towson University and the University of Baltimore.
Jean Nelson-Houpert is the Financial Controller for DC Green Bank, where she is responsible for the organization's finances and accounting. Jean will serve as DC Green Bank's financial steward in implementing strong financial discipline in its financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, and risk management processes and ensure its safety and soundness as well as long-term sustainability and growth. Jean joined DC Green Bank with extensive expertise in banking, internal control, risk management, and financial reporting knowledge. She also has significant experience in public accounting for mid-to-large size community banks. Among her leadership roles in financial institutions, Jean has served as controller at Millennium Bank, Director of Accounting, and Chief Financial Officer for Alliance Bankshares Corporation and SEC reporting manager at Capital Bank, N.A. Jean received her a M.J. (Master of Jurisprudence) from Tulane University and B.A. in Accounting from Temple University. She is also a certified Human Resources Professional (PHR).
Sandy Paik is General Counsel of DC Green Bank, where she is responsible for building and leading the organization's legal strategy, policy, and compliance to achieve sound governance, operational excellence, business resilience, and ethical leadership. Sandy will also serve as a key partner in the structure, deal execution and asset management of the suite of products and project portfolio so DC Green Bank can serve as a model and leader in green finance. Sandy brings broad-based experience in affordable housing, community development, commercial real estate asset and property management, wireless infrastructure development, structured finance and capital markets to DC Green Bank. She most recently served as Associate General Counsel with Freddie Mac's Legal Multifamily Structured and Targeted Affordable team. Sandy also serves in volunteer leadership roles in support of regional legal leadership, sustainable agriculture, and food access organizations. Sandy received her B.A. from Tufts University, A.M. in Policy Analysis and Evaluation from Stanford University School of Education, and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Jay Lurie is Chief Investment Officer of DC Green Bank, where he leads the investment team on origination, structuring, and executing financial products with project sponsors and financial partners. Jay spearheads DC Green Bank's capital strategy, business development, and portfolio management. Jay brings global leadership in sustainable infrastructure finance, having developed, financed and mobilized institutional capital for clean energy, transport, and water projects. He most recently served as Senior Investment Officer in the Infrastructure investment team at International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and previously held roles at Macquarie Capital and Credit Suisse. Jay received his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan, M.A. in Economics and International Development from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and he is a CFA Charterholder.
Brandi Colander is Chief Sustainability Officer at WestRock Company, where she leads the development and execution of a strategy to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to customers around the world. Prior to joining WestRock, Brandi was a Principal at The Raben Group, supporting clients by advancing their policy and strategy needs, as well as Head of External Relations with Charter Communications creating diverse partnerships and philanthropic investments. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior advancing policy and regulations for the nation's four energy development bureaus as well as Deputy General Counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Prior to her federal service, Brandi was an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Brandi earned her Master of Environmental Management at Yale University, J.D. from Vermont Law School, and Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning from University of Virginia.
Tommy Wells currently serves as the Director of the DC Department of Energy & Environment. A dedicated District public servant, Tommy previously served the District as Ward 6 Councilmember for 14 years, as an ANC Commissioner and a member of the Board of Education. During his tenure on the DC Council, he served as Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment and led major initiatives in support of building a livable and walkable city for all. Tommy has championed the next generation of public transit–including streetcar lines, expansion of the DC Circulator, and improvements in overall bus service. An active advocate since his earlier years, Tommy spurred and led a successful class-action lawsuit, LaShawn v. Barry, to address the city's failure to protect children in its care. In 1991, he took the helm of the DC Consortium for Child Welfare, and later established a groundbreaking program to match foster families with children affected by HIV/AIDS and led the drive to create the DC Family Court. Tommy earned his J.D. from Catholic University and an M.S.W. from the University of Minnesota. During FY2020, Tommy served as Board Vice Chair of DC Green Bank, and Nicole Rentz now serves as Vice Chair beginning in FY2021 as his designee.
Bruno Fernandes serves as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer for the District. He manages the District's treasury programs associated with its annual operating and capital budget, including management of the District's banking and investment activities, check and electronic receipts and disbursements, and its debt issuance and repayment activities. He also oversees the District's 401(a) and 457(b) retirement plans, 529 college savings plan, and the Unclaimed Property program. Bruno represents DC as a member of the National Association of State Treasurers and the Government Finance Officers Association. He is also an ex-officio trustee of the DC Retirement Board. Bruno received his M.B.A. from University of Maryland and B.S. in Finance from George Mason University. He maintains a Certified Treasury Professional designation and is an active member of the Association for Financial Professionals.
Sarosh Olpadwala is the Director of Real Estate in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) in DC. He is responsible for overseeing the inter-agency acquisition, asset management, leasing, disposition, and strategic planning of a portfolio of District-based development projects worth over $13 billion. Located across all eight District wards, the projects vary in size from small-scale neighborhood retail to the 100-acre St. Elizabeths East Campus Redevelopment to the $4 billion initiative to reclaim the long-neglected Anacostia Waterfront. Prior to his appointment to the Office of the Deputy Mayor, Sarosh's career spanned both the public and private sectors, including positions with Norcross Boldt, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Cherokee Investment Partners, and Clark Construction. He earned both his B.S. in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering and M.B.A. from Cornell University.
Jonathan Kayne is the Interim Director of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships and Director of Special Projects in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. He has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry in both the public and private sectors including office, retail, and residential. Jonathan has also held positions with the District as Interim Director and COO of the Department of General Services. Prior to joining the District government, he held positions as COO of DBT Development Group, Senior Vice President, Director of Real Estate for Federal Realty Investment Trust, and Vice President for Charles E Smith Residential. Jonathan received his B.S. from University of Hartford and M.S. in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University.
Hannah Hawkins is a tax attorney with a specialization in tax issues and incentives associated with the energy industry. From 2014 through FY2020, she served in the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy, focused on energy and excise tax matters. Hannah has extensive expertise in energy and sustainability related tax incentives, encompassing energy efficiency investments, water conservation, alternative fuels, taxable fuels, utilities, heavy trucks and tires, transportation by air, as well as new markets and historic rehabilitation tax credits. She received her B.A. from University of Wisconsin and J.D. at University of Pittsburgh.
Ricardo (Rick) Nogueira is an expert on climate finance, international development, and sustainable investing. His clients include major philanthropies, governments and multilateral development banks. He previously served as Senior Advisor on Climate Finance at the U.S. Department of State during the Obama administration. He was a U.S. board member of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) where he oversaw all GCF related matters, including initial resource mobilization, institution building, strategy, and public outreach. Prior to public service, Rick spent 10 years in private sector fund management with a focus on carbon markets and clean energy. He was the founder and a Managing Director at Leaf Clean Energy Company, a private equity fund targeting clean energy investments across the Americas. Rick also has extensive legal experience at Van Ness Feldman, an energy and environmental boutique, and Felsberg & Associados. Rick obtained his B.A. from Lafayette College and J.D. from Seton Hall School of Law.
Todd A. Monash is a Vice President of United Bank and a member of its commercial services team. He works with corporate clients to solve their most important banking needs related to credit, deposit, and treasury management. His client engagements include C-suite executives both in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. He has provided financial literacy classes in English and Spanish to programs like the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), area high schools, and churches. In addition, he has been a featured speaker at Georgetown University's Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate. Todd obtained his B.A. from University of Notre Dame and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Georgetown University.
Ed Hubbard currently serves as General Counsel for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), where he provides counsel and advice on a wide array of federal renewable fuel and clean energy issues and policy. He advocates for the U.S. ethanol industry on key energy, agriculture, transportation, and clean air policy and regulatory matters before the U.S. Congress and key federal government agencies. Ed serves on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade (ATAC) in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds, jointly managed by US Department of Agriculture and US Trade Representative, and on the Board of Directors of Green Seal Inc. Prior to joining RFA, Ed served as Legislative Director and Counsel in the office of U.S. Representative Albert Wynn, overseeing the Congressman's Maryland Delegation leadership responsibilities and chair activities for the Congressional Black Caucus Small Business Task Force, Hydrogen Caucus, and Wireless Caucus. Ed earned his J.D. from Howard University and B.A. from UCLA.
Priya Jayachandran is CEO of National Housing Trust (NHT) and its subsidiaries National Housing Trust Community Development Fund (NHTCDF), and NHT Communities. Under her leadership, NHT is committed to creating and preserving affordable homes to provide opportunity, advance racial equity, reduce economic disparities and strengthen community resilience. Priya came to NHT from Volunteers of America, where she served as Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing Development. Previously, she worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs; and for over 20 years in community development banking at three major financial institutions. Priya is a recognized industry expert on affordable housing finance. Priya earned her B.A from UC San Diego and M.P.A. from Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
© 2019 DC Green Bank | All rights reserved