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 J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and M.S. and B.A. in Environmental Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Donald Walker is the Chief Operating Officer 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 M.B.A. with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Learning from Towson University, M.A. in Counseling in Higher Education from the University of Delaware, and B.S. from Towson University.
Jean Nelson-Houpert is the Chief Financial Officer 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).
Dinora McRae is DC Green Bank’s Executive Assistant. She provides executive support as a liaison, aiding in the successful cultivation of partnerships, communications, and outreach for DC Green Bank. Dinora has a decade of experience working in hospitality management, HR, and employee training.
Gary Decker serves as the External Relations Partner at DC Green Bank. Gary has spent more than a decade working on public policy at the national and international levels to improve lives in the United States and around the world. He has worked on a range of issues including renewable energy, sustainable development and climate change, the protection and expansion of voting rights, health care, and building a more equitable and inclusive economy.
Gary holds a M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Goucher College.
Shyrah Kum serves as the Equal Access Advocate at DC Green Bank, where she is responsible for aligning processes, developing training, and designing outreach to ensure that DC Green Bank is a leader in implementing best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Shyrah’s background includes roles in program coordination, diversity recruitment, and human capital. Previously, Shyrah served as a Development Manager in Human Resources and Deployment at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, an Assistant Director for Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at Virginia Tech, and Program Coordinator at George Mason University and George Washington University.
Shyrah holds a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University and a B.A. in History from Virginia Tech.
Annie Ratanasim is the Sustainability Director of DC Green Bank, where she is responsible for leading environmental, social, and corporate governance. Annie creates, reviews, and tracks a sustainability policy and performance metric system to ensure funds’ maximum impact. She brings experience in sustainability, renewable energy, business development and policy. She most recently served as the Director of the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund where she helped to expand the role of renewable energy throughout the state.
Annie received her M.P.A. with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Rhode Island and is currently working on her M.B.A. degree from Bryant University. She received her B.A. in Communications Studies and Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.
Gabriela Kluzinski is DC Green Bank’s Investment Associate, where she is responsible for supporting the team in business origination, deal execution, and portfolio management. She brings experience in evaluating investments for sustainability & diversity and portfolio management. She most recently served as an Investment Analyst on Cambridge Associate’s Sustainable and Impact Investing team. Gabriela received her B.B.A from the University of Notre Dame in Finance.
Matthew Hickman is an Investment Associate at DC Green Bank, where he evaluates, structures, and executes green finance deals as part of the investment team, with a focus on building inclusive prosperity in DC’s historically underserved communities.
Matthew previously served as a Senior Analyst as CustomerFirst Renewables, helping clients spanning the range from large financial institutions to county governments transition to renewable power. His prior experience also includes consulting work for GIZ in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he helped build the business case for direct uses of geothermal energy which would benefit local communities by increasing incomes and food security while decreasing GHG emissions. Prior to his career in green energy finance, he worked in film as a screenwriter for six years.
Matthew received an M.A. in International Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Georgia.