Elizabeth is Managing Director of Groundswell. 

For most people, waking up in the morning excited to go to work is uncommon. But that's exactly how I feel.  

I'm passionate about expanding economic opportunity, especially in low-income communities. Before I joined Groundswell, I spent a number of years working in state and local government on workforce and small business development. Now I've transitioned to working on social change that comes directly from communities. 

Through my role as Managing Director, I have a unique perspective into our community level impact, and I've had the chance to meet with our community partners and the foundations and individual donors who support that work.

Their incredible support has allowed us to spread a new type of residential weatherization across the District and Maryland - one that empowers residents to use their purchasing power to improve their communities. The support of foundations and individuals has also helped us to grow our work to make clean energy more accessible. 

One institution that's participated in these initiatives is First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. The congregation runs New Course Catering and Restaurant. This nonprofit trains homeless and chronically unemployed men and women in the culinary arts and helps them with job placement. 

I've had the pleasure of eating lunch at their restaurant. If you're in the neighborhood, I recommend stopping by for a meal. 

You can read more about our work in a recent Grist profile, "Power In Numbers: Crowd Purchasing Brings Clean Energy Within Reach", and by following us on Facebook.  

I love seeing communities use their power to make a difference. Thank you to each of you who has supported us.