
Donnel Baird
CEO of BlocPower
Education
- Bachelor's degree - Duke University
Overview
Donnel Baird is the CEO and founder of BlocPower.
During his last semester at Columbia Business School, Baird launched BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based technology company whose goal is to upgrade residential homes and buildings in underserved communities while combating the environmental crisis. This is done through installing solar panels and the retrofit of efficient electric heating and cooling systems that lower utility costs and provides financial help during installations. The company is under the support of investing groups such as Goldman Sachs and Kapor Capital.
BlocPower has gained recognition for its innovative approach to bringing clean energy solutions to disadvantaged communities. The company utilizes data-driven approaches to identify and retrofit buildings with energy-efficient technologies, reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy costs for building owners. BlocPower has successfully transformed numerous buildings into energy-efficient and sustainable spaces, positively impacting both the environment and the local communities.
He wanted to create a business that could address the intersection of climate change, energy waste in buildings, public health, and poverty by providing employment opportunities for low-income families. Additionally, he become a political organizer with Change To Win Labor Federation, focused on partnering with the Department of Energy to help create green energy jobs under the Obama Administration. He continued his graduate study at Columbia Business School, where he earned a Master of Business and Administration (MBA) in 2013. These experiences helped him launch BlocPower in 2013, a company that aims to make buildings more energy-efficient and create green jobs in underserved communities.
Early Life
Donnel Baird was born on 1981.
Career
- BlocPower - CEO
Recognition
In 2014, Baird was named a "Champion of Change" by the White House for his efforts in advancing clean energy and economic opportunity.In 2017, Baird was recognized as a Crain’s "40 Under 40" of influential young leaders.Baird's achievements have been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New Yorker, Forbes, and Fast Company, amongst others. Baird was featured on Time magazine's 100 Next in 2022. He has also been invited to speak at events such as TED and the World Economic Forum in Davos.