Winners KEVIN SCHULTE

CEO & Co-Founder, GreenSpark Solar 2022 Business Person of the Year Award Winner

1. What has been your journey since receiving Business Person of the Year recognition?

When I received the Business Person of the Year award last year, I challenged those in attendance to commit to diversity, use their business as a force for good, and care for their people. In making such a challenge, I aspire to meet my own ideals. Over the last year, GreenSpark has enhanced our salary and benefits package, updated policies to be more equitable, instituted our first Wellness Week, and advanced our HQ move to the City of Rochester, simultaneously doubling the scale of our impact to slow the role of climate change on our population.

2. What advice would you give to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders?

My guidance to all leaders is to own the privilege of leadership, and inspire your people through genuine care. Aspire to use the opportunity of leadership to improve the lives of those you lead, as well as those impacted by the work you do. Most importantly, use your position as a leader to give everyone that you influence an opportunity to thrive, independent of their background or sensibilities, or how they may be different from your own. I strive to do better in these ways every day I am on this journey.