Executive DirectorWe Care Solar
Dr. Laura Stachel, Co-founder and Executive Director, worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist for 14 years. She holds an MD from the UC San Francisco and an MPH and DrPH from the UC Berkeley, School of Public Health. Her research on maternal mortality in Nigeria alerted her to the deleterious effects of energy poverty on maternal health outcomes. Laura co-founded We Care Solar in 2010 to promote clean energy for safe childbirth in energy-poor facilities. Through their Light Every Birth initiative, they have equipped more than 8,650 health facilities in over 30 countries with We Care Solar Suitcases®—compact solar energy systems providing essential lighting, medical devices, and solar power. Laura and We Care Solar have won more than 30 awards for their innovative technology and programs, including CNN Top Ten Heroes, AARP Purpose Prize, and Zayed Sustainability Prize. Laura is passionate about promoting sustainable energy for healthcare and speaks globally on this topic.
Eastern and Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, West and Central Africa