A Partnership Rooted in Gratitude and Opportunity
Native Sun was kind enough to gift Enterprise with a beautiful medallion with a Thunderbird on it. Pictured above is a graphic of said medallion
Eric Pasi, CEO
In this season of thankfulness, I want to personally express my gratitude for our new partnership with workforce development nonprofit Native Sun. Their mission, much like ours, is to expand opportunity, empower communities, and advance a more equitable clean-energy transition.
Native Sun’s founder and executive director, Bob Blake, is a proud member of the Red Lake Nation. As a Native led organization deeply rooted in Minnesota, Native Sun embodies the power of community-driven leadership. Together, we see an immense opportunity to grow family-sustaining careers in renewable energy for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
This work is deeply personal for me. I’m a product of inner city public schools, raised by a single mom, and I was fortunate to attend the University of Minnesota on academic and needs-based scholarships. The support I received created possibilities that changed the trajectory of my life. Those experiences keep me grounded and guide Enterprise Energy’s belief that opportunity should be accessible, not reserved for a select few.
Even in our short time as a company, we’ve been intentional about building a culture that reflects those values. Enterprise Energy has implemented internship and hiring practices that open doors for individuals who may have been historically overlooked. We’re also expanding ways for everyday investors to participate directly in community solar projects because clean energy should create shared prosperity. Encouraging others to follow in our footsteps isn’t simply a strategy; it’s part of who we are.
Last week, on Give to the Max Day, Bob presented me with a Thunderbird medallion, a symbolic cosmic protector. In Native cultures, the giving of a gift recognizes new relationships and shared responsibility. Bob joked that there are no spaceships in Native lore, but this was the closest thing to it. I’ve been reflecting on the symbolism ever since. Gifts like this challenge us to carry the spirit of what we’re entrusted with. Protecting the planet and supporting its people is a responsibility unique to all of us working in environmental stewardship.
Our partnership with Native Sun will enable their training cohorts to conduct hands-on learning at our project sites, helping prepare and inspire the next generation of clean-energy leaders. It also gives me the opportunity to continue teaching and mentoring individuals from disadvantaged communities, paying forward the support that made a difference in my own life. These are early steps, but meaningful ones.
As the dust settles on 2025 and we begin turning the page to a new year, I’m encouraged by our incremental progress toward a brighter, more equitable future, and grateful for the partners who help make it possible.
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