Effie helps utilities across the country distribute monetary incentives by facilitating partnerships with retailers & manufacturers who sell energy efficient products to the utility's customers. While most of her time is spent tracking and reporting on the distribution of these funds and the impact the incentive dollars are having in the marketplace, the overall goal is transformation of said marketplace so that aforementioned incentives are no longer necessary. To further that goal, she also plans and executes marketing and outreach strategies to encourage the widespread adoption and use of energy efficient technologies, such as Energy Star-qualified lighting and appliances. Prior to that, Effie spent two years ensuring local real estate development company Designated Tree met it’s green building goals in her role as Sustainable Development Coordinator, while also serving in a leadership position with the Central Texas-Balcones chapter of the US Green Building Council. In 2007, she founded a non-profit project called Rays of Hope Austin (now a part of 1house at a time), which gave area residents interested in renewable energy the opportunity to take part in a solar PV installation benefiting a local low-income homeowner. Through all of these endeavors, Effie has demonstrated an ability to develop organizational resources, particularly strategic partnerships.In the early phase of her career, Effie worked with architectural firms both as a designer / drafter, and as a project manager. Her primary role was construction phase project administration, reviewing shop drawings and submittals, and performing site inspections to ensure adherence to specifications. During this time she excelled in conflict resolution, and negotiations with jurisdictional authorities due to her use of open, clear, and complete communication.