staff

**timothy denherder-thomas: General manager**

Timothy is the co-founder and General Manager of Cooperative Energy Futures CEF), an energy efficiency and community-owned clean energy cooperative serving members across Minnesota since 2009. Timothy has also helped build local control over energy decision-making in Minneapolis through the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership as a member of the partnership’s Energy Vision Advisory Committee and supports energy democracy nationally through the People’s Solar Energy Fund and the PowerShift Network.

Charlie Rybak: Chief Operating Officer

Charlie Rybak has spent more than a decade working in growth & digital strategy for startups, clean energy companies, political organizations, and media companies. Prior to CEF, he was running a solo consulting firm and co-founded Southwest Voices, a local news publication in Minneapolis.
While he is originally from (and in love with) Minneapolis, his work experience includes stints in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. When he's not working, you can find him cooking, gardening, getting his heart broken by a myriad of Minnesota sports teams, or going on hikes with his wife, Ashley, and their dog, Larry.

Bruce konewko:
business/Marketing
director

Bruce works with our businesses and residents to help show them the financial, environmental, and long-term investment opportunities that community-owned solar projects bring them. His primary focus includes our business development & marketing of CEF’s Community Solar Garden program. This includes; project management of our solar portfolio, including; site assessment, site acquisition, 3rd party lease negotiations, permitting & zoning, and community outreach and engagement. He helps manage our cooperative partnerships with solar contractors, system designers, as well as local utility and government agencies.

Mary kay Olson:
operations/subscriptions
director

Mary Kay brings outreach and operational administration skills to her role at CEF, where she manages the overall subscription process including working with our collaborating organizations such as Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light who are assisting in securing subscribers. Mary Kay has worked in a variety of organizations, starting in affordable housing, then following the emerging green building industry into construction. She balances her CEF work currently with her work at a progressive church supporting the overall operations and facilities oversight of an historical St. Paul church campus.

**Kyle Samejima:**
Community Outreach and Engagement Team Director

Kyle Samejima graduated from the University of MN in 2017 (on Mother’s Day with her daughter) with a degree in sustainability and communication. Since then, Kyle has worked in the renewable energy field, developing deep collaborative relationships with Twin Cities groups and organizations to address our climate crisis. She focuses on community solar as a tool for environmental justice and energy democracy. CEF gives her the opportunity to bring deeper change and build community wealth of all kinds.Kyle is originally from Philadelphia and misses the East Coast and her family. She lived in Arizona and Japan before settling in Minneapolis, where she raised her three amazing daughters. She now lives in the Northrop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Kyle loves spending time with her granddaughter and family, gardening, reusing and repurposing everything imaginable, and being grateful for the incredible planet we live on.

pouya najmaie:
pOLICY/Regulatory
Director

Pouya studied Environmental Science (with a concentration on policy and law) at the University of Minnesota and then went on to the U of M’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute for Public Policy where he studied Science, Technology and Environmental Policy. He leads CEF’s policy and regulatory initiatives. In this capacity Pouya deals with legislators, non-profits, regulatory bodies (like the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Commerce), and utilities, as well as activating members and subscribers to take political/regulatory actions. Pouya is also taking the lead on development of our new website. He is also consultant regarding developing/monitoring CEF’s current and long-term financial investment opportunities.

Dan Grantier:
project develpoment Manager

Dan studied Environmental Design at the Huxley College of Western Washington University with the intention of working in sustainable building and community design. Then, through an exciting path over a couple of years, started a career in the Fire Service in Lynnwood, Washington. Anticipating an early retirement to move out to MN to be with family, Dan started studying solar PV for his second career. Once in MN, Dan started working with a local residential installer in operations and then was excited to join the CEF team in Development. In this role, Dan takes projects through interconnection, permitting, construction, energization, and ongoing operations and maintenance working with a variety of industry partners.

Allye doyle:
communications director

Allye brings her passion for communications and community engagement to her role as Communications Director at Cooperative Energy Futures. With a Journalism degree from NDSU and experience as a radio news anchor, digital producer at KARE 11, and social media and marketing in real estate, Allye leverages her expertise to expand CEF's reach and strengthen its brand. She is dedicated to connecting with more subscribers, host sites, and landowners while enhancing CEF's social media presence. Allye's eye for detail and enthusiasm for building community make her a valued member of the team.

Audrey pallmeyer:
Program developer

Audrey studied Environment and Sustainability as well as Social Work at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She has worked in various direct service, project management, and program development roles within the nonprofit sector. Audrey joined CEF in 2024 as a Program Developer, and is excited to apply her experience and passion to the clean energy sector.
Originally from Minneapolis, Audrey has lived and worked in New York, DC, Florida, and Michigan. She currently resides in South Minneapolis, and can often be found at one of the many dog parks in Minneapolis with her dog, Noodle.

Rukia Abdi:
Outreach & Engagement Representative

Rukia Abdi serves as our Lead Outreach & Engagement Representative, bringing with her over a decade of experience in community outreach and organizing. Her journey began as a lead Community Organizer at Crossing Barriers, where she worked closely with Somali, Latino, Hmong, and Oromo communities affected by educational challenges. At Crossing Barriers, Rukia organized and led groups of students and parents, teaching them how to advocate for themselves. Later, as a Community Engagement Specialist at Grassroots Solutions, she led a statewide project supported by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, engaging communities of various backgrounds and faiths to develop solutions for a better Minnesota. In her recent role as Employment and Engagement Coordinator at Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County, Rukia designed and facilitated community-based employment readiness workshops, empowering individuals to achieve economic growth and escape poverty through skill-building and job readiness training. Rukia's passion lies in inspiring and empowering underrepresented communities in Minnesota. She is thrilled about the opportunity to contribute to Cooperative Energy Future's (CEF) mission and make a meaningful impact on the journey towards clean, local, and community-owned energy solutions.

Bryn Shank:
outreach & engagement representative

Bryn has been a longtime member and admirer of Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF). He first heard of CEF when he was a part of Youth Environmental Activists of Minnesota (YEA!MN) in High School. YEA!MN is where he gained a passion for social justice and addressing the climate crisis. Bryn came to work at CEF after a stint at the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) where he spent close to four years doing residential energy audits as part of the Home Energy Squad (HES). While at CEE he also gained his NABCEP PV Associate certification as a way to increase his knowledge of solar energy. Bryn is excited to bring his skills and experience to the Outreach and Engagement Representative! In this role he helps walk potential community solar subscribers through the subscription process, coordinates outreach and engagement efforts and acts as a liaison between co-op members and the rest of the staff/board. Bryn is looking forward to meeting more members and advancing CEF’s mission of energy democracy.

Sebastian Rivera:
outreach & engagement representative

Sebastian Rivera, a dynamic force of Puerto Rican and Italian heritage, is a visionary multimedia artist and dedicated community leader. With a rich background spanning eight years of local and national activism, he has championed various causes, serving as a grassroots organizer, national trainer, and legislative lobbyist.
He has worked in the energy field in diverse ways. He has participated in legislative work targeting PUC legislative impact, and has created a digital comic book informing community members about our energy systems, among other community impactful work.
Rivera's artistic journey is marked by a profound commitment to collaboration with marginalized communities, using public art as a vehicle to amplify their voices and aspirations. Through his work, he seeks to ignite critical introspection and empower individuals to harness their own potential.
Now, as the freshly appointed Outreach and Engagement Representative for CEF, Rivera is poised to leverage his expertise and passion to foster meaningful connections and drive positive change within the community.

Rebecca reed:
Director of Project Development

board of directors

Rizwan bankwala (Chair)

Rizwan's professional background is in finance, accounting, and valuation. His work spans a variety of sectors, including medical research, commercial real estate, and energy. Rizwan enjoys running, woodworking, and canoeing in the summers.

mitchell rogalsky

(vice chair)

Mitchell is a trained electrical engineer, and currently works as a Transmission Project Manager with Great River Energy. He originally cut his teeth on utility-scale solar with CEF back in 2018, helping build the Faribault, Clarks Grove, and Ramp A gardens. Since then he’s worked on many more solar projects across the country, as well as wind farms.

toya lopez
(Secretary)

Toya is a current board member and former employee of CEF. Her background is rooted in viewing climate issues through a public health lens, and previously worked at Hennepin Healthcare on sustainability issues. She serves on the boards of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate and the Elliot Park Neighborhood Institute, as well as the City of Minneapolis Environmental Advisory Committee.

David bergstrom
(treasurer)

David is Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Wellington Management, Inc. (WMI). He oversees the company's property management division, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of WMI's four-million-square-foot real estate portfolio. Dave has extensive experience in development, construction, mechanical systems, architectural design, code compliance, energy efficiency and vendor management. He supervises a staff of 11 property managers, building engineers and customer service professionals. Prior to joining WMI in 2005, Dave first served as Assistant Director and Mechanical Systems Manager at Macalester College, where he also provided oversight for $70 million in construction projects. Later, as a Manager of Building Services at Ecolab's St. Paul corporate campus, he oversaw daily operations, construction and a $49 million renovation for Ecolab's corporate campus in Eagan. Dave earned a B.A. in Economics from Macalester College. Additionally, he recently completed a professional development course in real estate leadership through the Harvard Business School Executive Education program.

lisa callahan

Lisa is a sustainability financial consultant. She co-founded Ariance, a consulting firm specializing in sustainability and ESG project management. Her experience has included supporting the development of 5+ solar projects in the Midwest working with government entities, public relations (education/support), and working with landowners throughout the renewable project lifecycle on projects that averaged 50 MW in size.

Mary jo wiatrak

MaryJo is an attorney that serves as an advocate for democratic organizations, and has been a member of CEF since 2013. Her philosophy about energy involves a framework of justice, which allows her to go beyond the technological challenges and consider the political opportunities as well. She serves on the board of the YMCA of the North, is a member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Minnesota Bar Association, serves as a River Guardian for the Friends of the Mississippi River, and previously worked for the Indian Child Welfare Law Center.

Brett Thompson

With a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering technology, Brett implemented his technical and engineering skills at Ford Motor Company and with General Electric Wind Energy. Brett then pivoted to the more challenging task of being a stay-at-home dad. With his children now older and more self-sufficient, Brett has spent the last few years substitute teaching in Minneapolis Public Schools. Brett enjoys coaching his kid’s sports teams or just watching from the sidelines. He also may be found hiking, biking, or in the kitchen tweaking recipes. Brett has been fascinated by solar power since he was a kid when his dad brought home a solar powered calculator. Using his broad knowledge base and endless curiosity, Brett strives to improve his own life in such a way that he does his part to foster a kinder, more sustainable world.

Mohamoud Egal

Mohamoud is a clean energy advocate and social entrepreneur whose work bridges community empowerment, technical expertise, and environmental justice. His journey began in 2018 with the founding of Nyota, a for-profit enterprise providing renewable energy home appliances, including PV systems, solar water heaters, and solar air conditioners, to underserved communities in Kenya and Somalia. Through this work and the diaspora-led Give A Star Campaign, Mohamoud helped expand access to clean, off-grid energy in areas facing both economic hardship and climate displacement.

He holds certifications from NABCEP and BPI, and brings technical insight to CEF’s home and community solar programs.