In honor of Mária Telkes, the Mária Telkes Fellowship is a program of the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable and Clean Energy Business Network.
In honor of Mária Telkes, the Mária Telkes Fellowship Application for next cohort open now through March 31st, 2024. Click here to apply.
In honor of Mária Telkes, the Mária Telkes Fellowship is intended to help promising clean/climatetech professionals from underrepresented demographics tap into networking connections, positive exposure, and champion-building opportunities to realize their full potential for executive leadership. The program is broad in focus and seeks to encourage diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, color, religion, culture, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, and economic status.
The fellowship is named in honor of Mária Telkes (December 12, 1900 – December 2, 1995), a Hungarian-American scientist who is considered one of the founders of solar thermal storage systems, earning her the nickname “the Sun Queen.”
What people are saying about the program:
From Salina Derichsweiler, Director of Development New Mexico & Tribal Development at Sun Share Community Solar & Maria Telkes Fellow First Cohort:
“As part of the Maria Telkes Fellowship with CTLR, my mentor, Paula Glover advised me on how to lean into being exactly who I am. Her experience as a Black woman in the energy industry and her way of speaking truth to power, inspired me to embrace my own identity as an Indigenous woman with a unique perspective.
As a first generation high school and college graduate, the Maria Telkes Fellowship with CTLR offered me connections, experiences, and opportunities I needed to expand my development as a mid-career energy professional. The program offered me a path to lean into being a thought leader in the energy space and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
My favorite part of being Maria Telkes Fellow has been meeting new people from all over the country and having interesting, dynamic conversations. Thought leadership is about building a better world that works for all people, and the Maria Telkes Fellowship shows CTLR's commitment to including diverse voices and perspectives in the energy space. I am inspired by the community of CTLR and I look forward to strengthening relationships in the future.”
From Ari Raivetz, Founder/CEO at Transcend Software & CTLR Board Director:
“The fellowship's role in bringing together emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds is critical in the cleantech industry. Each cohort's journey is not just about nurturing talent, but about building a diverse and resilient network of cleantech leaders. I could not be more excited for the future of environmental innovation.”
