News > SUN adds three accomplished leaders to its Board

SUN adds three accomplished leaders to its Board

• Solar United Neighbors

September 30, 2025

• Ben Delman

Solar United Neighbors started as a volunteer-led neighborhood project more than 15 years ago. The goal was to help people go solar. That hasn’t changed, but a lot has. Today we work across the country with a staff of more than 100. Along the way, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people go solar. We’ve also secured vital victories for people’s right to go solar across the country.

With these changes come the need to bring in additional expertise. That’s why we recently welcomed three new dynamic leaders to our Board: Nicole Steele, Kimberly Thomas, and Aimee Witteman. They bring knowledge, experience, and new perspectives to help SUN navigate and thrive as we continue our mission.

“I am grateful to Nicole, Kimberly, and Aimee for lending their time and their talents to help Solar United Neighbors help people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors Executive Director. 

Nicole Steele is a nationally recognized clean energy leader with more than 20 years’ experience. Her focus is on equitable deployment and workforce development. She joined Amalgamated Bank in 2024 as their Director of Climate Policy. Prior to joining Amalgamated, Nicole served as Program Manager of the Workforce and Equitable Access team in the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Head of the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) which created the Community Power Accelerator and many other initiatives that developed solutions for the rapid deployment of clean energy with meaningful benefits.

“People want solar energy, and SUN is ready to help make it possible,” said Nicole. “I am deeply motivated to assist SUN in its mission by applying the lessons gained from empowering Americans from all walks of life to embrace, install, use and invest in solar energy. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone.”

Kimberly Thomas has dedicated her career to the fight for our democracy, health care, social justice and climate protection. Her skills lie in conceptualizing and implementing sustainable and transformative nonprofit operations. She is currently the Vice President of Finance & Operations at the New York Health Foundation. Prior to that she held various senior roles at nonprofit organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice, the Drug Policy Alliance, and PEN America. 

“There’s never been a greater interest, or need, for people to make the switch to solar energy,” Kimberly said. “I look forward to using my finance and operations experience to ensure the SUN has the resources and structure to facilitate this transition.”

Aimee Witteman has extensive experience designing and leading clean energy programs and grantmaking for leading climate organizations and philanthropies. She currently serves as Chief Impact Officer at the Urban Land Institute, the oldest and largest multidisciplinary network of developers, architects, investors, and urban planners focused on transforming the built environment. She oversees ULI’s centers, initiatives, and advisory services dedicated to decarbonization, climate resilience, and housing affordability. She previously served as an appointee in the Biden Administration at the Department of Energy, Vice President of Policy and Investment at Rewiring America and as Program Director at the McKnight Foundation. She served as executive director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition where she helped secure conservation and rural development programs in the 2008 Farm Bill.

“I’m honored to join the Solar United Neighbors board of directors because SUN has a proven track record of making rooftop solar affordable and accessible for families throughout the country,” Aimee said. “At a time when clean, reliable, and affordable energy is more important than ever, I’m excited to help advance SUN’s mission of empowering communities to take control of their energy future.”