Comes as organization beginning three-year plan to accelerate decarbonization solutions across economy
October 17, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute has added three members to its board of directors who represent the organization’s growing and diverse national focus and priorities.
Toyah Callahan is the program director of the Sustainable Energy Action Committee at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and was one of the 2020 recipients of the 40 Under 40 Energy Award as a leader in America’s transition to clean energy. She also works on two other US Department of Energy-funded local government programs: SolSmart and EV Smart, both of which are partnerships that include GPI.
Callahan was the senior project manager at The Solar Foundation prior to the merger of the two organizations in 2021. Prior to joining The Solar Foundation, she worked as a renewable energy specialist at Arcadia Power, recruiting solar and wind energy clients.
Callahan has also served as a judge for the US Department of Energy’s Solar District Cup collegiate design competition, evaluating nine student solar and storage proposals focusing on conceptual layout and optimization strategies. She also worked with the African Union’s Diaspora Health Initiative and developed an initiative to conduct research and analysis of rural health clinic electrification in Uganda.
“GPI’s collaborative and consensus-building approach is a catalyst for local action that fuels access to clean energy and builds local economies,” Callahan said. “I have been fortunate to work closely with GPI for the last five years to reduce barriers to clean energy in local jurisdictions. Throughout that time, I have been consistently impressed by the thought leadership the organization demonstrates on energy equity issues. This is a pivotal time, and GPI is well-positioned to contribute to a secure, resilient, and sustainable net-zero carbon future. It is an honor to work with an organization committed to finding transformative solutions beneficial to all.”
Mothusi Pahl leads Business Development and Government Affairs at Modern Hydrogen. The Bothell, Washington-based company, which is backed by Bill Gates, NextEra Energy, and National Grid Partners, uses thermal pyrolysis to decarbonize natural gas.
Pahl has more than 20 years in energy, climate tech, and investment banking. The former chief commercial officer at private equity firm B3\, Pahl co-founded several companies and led go-to-market strategy for groundbreaking waste heat recovery company Alphabet Energy. Pahl also led the Power Generation division at Cummins across 11 countries in southern Africa.
“I’m excited to join the board of the Great Plains Institute. Decarbonization, new technology introduction, and public policy are at the core of my work,” Pahl said. “So joining GPI to help communities and businesses effectively engage in the energy transition is really in alignment with me and in creating value for our society and our environment.”
Scott Zastoupil is chief financial officer at Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (SPMF) and first joined in 2018 as controller. Prior to SPMF, he worked as a finance and accounting senior manager at RBC Global Asset Management and as an auditor at Ernst & Young.
“Energy and environment have always been a strong interest of mine, and I’m passionate about the need to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions,” Zastoupil said. “I’m thrilled to join the GPI board and excited to bring my experience in finance and nonprofits to assist the critical work being done.”
“The addition of Toyah, Mothusi, and Scott is a reflection of GPI’s growing reach, impact, and diversity,” GPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom said. “Each of these individuals bring a wealth of unique professional expertise and lived experience and collectively fill strategic niches for GPI at a crucial time for the organization and the issues we work on.”
“GPI and the energy transition are both at an inflection point, with the tailwinds of the most ambitious federal decarbonization policy passed anywhere in the world at our backs. I can’t think of a more exciting time to welcome three talented professionals from across the US to join our board and increase our impact,” GPI Board Chair Priti Patel said.
GPI is in the first year of a three-year strategic plan to accelerate the adoption of decarbonization solutions across the economy.
Each board member’s three-year term runs through April 2026.
About the Great Plains Institute
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute accelerates the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Working across the US, we combine a unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge, research and analysis, and local action to find and implement lasting solutions. Our work strengthens communities and provides greater economic opportunity through creation of higher-paying jobs, expansion of the nation’s industrial base, and greater domestic energy independence while eliminating carbon emissions.
Media Contact:
Patrice Lahlum
(701) 429-1861
