Jennifer Holthaus is Associate Director of the Clean Energy and Circular Economy team at Winrock International, a non-profit organization that works with people in the U.S. and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Ms. Holthaus and her team at Winrock specialize in developing business models that can launch markets for renewable energy serving low-income rural communities and strengthening the capacity of local private developers and financial institutions to invest in renewable energy technologies in countries including Ethiopia, Nepal, and Indonesia. Prior to joining Winrock, she worked for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as a Research Associate in the Conservation and Science Program.

Ms. Holthaus is an expert in distilling lessons from technical work into digestible and actionable conclusions and communication products. A seasoned facilitator and writer, she is versed in virtual and in-person methods for participatory work on fundraising proposals, knowledge management, organizational learning, and communications products

Ms. Holthaus has a lifelong commitment to learning how to serve as an effective ally to people from disadvantaged groups, through her work and as a volunteer. During the period 2016 – 2021, while her son was a student at Beresford Elementary School in San Mateo, Ms. Holthaus organized efforts to complement and strengthen the support provided by the school district’s English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), a group of parents, staff, and community members who advise the district on programs and services for English learners. Ms. Holthaus recruited additional translators and wireless headsets from the district for Beresford meetings involving parents; created the position of ELAC Liaison on the Beresford Parent Teacher Association board and served as ELAC liaison for two years; recruited supportive service organizations (including the ACLU, Catholic Relief Services, Samaritan House, San Mateo Adult School, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Peninsula Family Service) to present at quarterly ELAC parent meetings involving three elementary schools; and organized food delivery to families of ELAC students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Holthaus began advising ETA on fundraising in 2022.

Jennifer received an M.A. in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. She lives near Hillsdale High School with her husband Chester and their son Ren (class of 2028). In her free time, she enjoys performing as a singer and keyboardist in a local cover band.