E8 is managed by a dedicated staff and led by a passionate and committed volunteer Board of Directors.
The Board is comprised of experienced investors and executives from myriad backgrounds, who bring a wealth of experience and skills.
CHARLIE CURTIS: Board Member
“Climate change is creating new business opportunities.” Charlie Curtis has a focus on environmental issues, in particular those relating to water and clean energy. His contributions to E8 span many areas, especially as it relates to quality deal flow and effective due diligence.
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LEE OTIS: Board President, Co-Chair
Climate change impacts us globally—what happens in one location happens everywhere. From declining air quality to rising sea levels, diminishing biodiversity, and shifting populations, these environmental crises come in many forms. But through our individual and collective actions, we can create sustainable solutions that make a positive impact on our world.” Lee Otis is a former Environmental Scientist with the US EPA.
AMY BANN: Board Member
“We have so much opportunity to innovate and implement technology solutions- finance has a huge role to play in broadening access and enabling scale.” Amy Bann has over two decades of experience in global cleantech innovation, commercialization, and policy. Currently she serves as an executive at Xpansiv, the leading environmental commodities trading platform. She enjoys helping find and grow promising startups with the E8 community.
JEFF CANIN: Board Member, E8 Fund Manager
“It’s gratifying to work with so many fellow investors committed to supporting solutions to our most critical environmental challenges ….” Jeff Canin has a long career in financial services and venture capital. A significant proportion of Jeff’s time is involved as an advisor to early-stage startups and university technology commercialization initiatives.
ERIC CARLSON: Board Secretary, Screening & Due Diligence Co-Chair
Eric Carlson is a Seattle native who returned here after nearly 30 years on the East Coast where he worked as an environment and energy consultant at national and international levels for organizations such as the World Bank and US government agencies.
MEL CLARK: Board Member
"I am so pleased to join the E8 board ...to positively impact people and our planet." Mel Clark, the President and CEO of the CleanTech Alliance, is a leader with 25 years of nonprofit experience. She has a demonstrated track record of strong fiscal stewardship, staff development, and program expansion.
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Mike Grenier: Board Member
Mike is a cleantech entrepreneur and investor with multiple successful exits over his 20-year career. As Managing Partner at Blu Ox Ventures, he is dedicated to investing in teams that can accelerate our transition to a carbon neutral, sustainable, clean, and circular economy.
KD Hallman: Board Member
“Facilitating environmental innovation is an effective way to ensure we leave a habitable planet for future generations.” K.D. has a wide range of environmental interests with focus on clean energy, regenerative agriculture, clean water, and biodiversity. A former Microsoft executive, she now channels her passion and talent to addressing climate concerns through investing, advising, and philanthropy.
KATHLEEN HEBERT: Board Member
Kathleen Hebert left her position as Vice President at Microsoft in 2003 to devote her efforts to environmental issues. She has served on E8's Screening Committee since 2017, and joined the Board in 2020. Kathleen is also a Board Member of the Clean Energy Transition Institute, a Trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Washington and was a 2015 Northwest Conservation Philanthropy Fellow with a focus on Water Sustainability.
CHRIS PRESTON: Board Treasurer
“I am fascinated by the potential technology has to reshape use of the world’s finite resources.” Chris is a versatile executive and entrepreneur with a diverse background at small, start-up, and larger companies, including Microsoft. He serves as board director and board advisor to a number of early stage clean tech and sustainability companies.
TOM RANKEN: Board Co-Chair
“We can make the world a better place in so many ways.” Tom is the former President & CEO of the CleanTech Alliance. Previously, as an entrepreneur, Tom was CEO of VizX Labs and Axio Research Corporation. He was the first full-time CEO of the state’s biotechnology/biomedical association. He has an MBS from the University of Washington and a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia. Tom is active with E8, Scouting, Rotary, and his band, the Ranken File. He is a runner and is working on his third degree: Studying Music at Shoreline.
HIMALAYA RAO-POTLAPALLY: Board Member
"I am grateful that I get to spend my career redistributing capital to innovative and radically groundbreaking ventures." Himalaya has a passion for creating equitable capital and resource access to BIPOC founders leading her to co-found and become the Managing Director of Black Founders Matter.
DANA SATHER ROBINSON: Board Member, Outreach Co-Chair
“We have met interesting people and made wonderful friends” Dana brings over 20 years of marketing, communications, and finance experience to E8. Raised by entrepreneurial parents and having lived in 5 countries, Dana brings an international perspective to investing. She has been an E8 pitch coach and involved in several due diligence teams, including as lead.
COREY SALKA: Board Member At Large
Corey Salka is a cleantech investor and advisor, calling on over 25 years of business experience . A past Chair of the Outreach committe, Corey is now deep in the throes of his own start-up, bringing E8 a very up-to-date entrepreneurial perspective.
MOLLY SHOR: Board Member, Co-Chair for Screening & Due Diligence
"I value the collective wisdom that results from E8 members and Fellows collaborating on deal review, and the exceptional questions that result."
Molly Shor has been an invaluable force in E8's due diligence process, and now Chairs that committee in addition to helping lead and guide the work of our other Fellows. Herself an impact investor, Molly seeks to improve the health of the earth's ecosystems.
BYRON MCCANN: Board Member Emeritus
Byron McCann gained Emeritus status in 2016 in recognition of his long service and distinguished contributions to E8. Byron served in a leadership role with E8 since its founding in 2006, including as Co-Chair from 2008-2014, followed by 2 years as Treasurer.