Hello, I'm Vinaya Acharekar

Passionate about building a more equitable low-carbon future by combining engineering expertise, climate policy research, and sustainable business strategy to support bold, systems-level climate action.

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About Me

I am a sustainability strategist, development practitioner, and co-founder of AgriSolar, a climate-tech initiative delivering solar-powered irrigation to smallholder farmers in Nigeria. My work lies at the intersection of clean energy access, inclusive development, and climate resilience, with a core belief that sustainability must be equitable, scalable, and people-centered.

With a background that spans aeronautical engineering, social work, and now a Master of Development Practice at UC Berkeley, I bring a multidisciplinary lens to solving complex global challenges. At AgriSolar, I lead strategy, stakeholder engagement, and climate finance — driving innovations that replace diesel pumps with solar solutions, reduce emissions, and improve livelihoods.

Vinaya Acharekar - Sustainability Professional

Over the years, I've led and supported initiatives with international nonprofits, grassroots communities, and Fortune 500 companies — always grounded in data, empathy, and systems thinking. From shaping ESG strategies to developing GHG accounting frameworks and securing over $200K in funding for climate projects, I thrive in spaces that blend policy, technology, and social impact.

I am currently seeking full-time opportunities in sustainability, climate strategy, or ESG consulting — where I can collaborate with mission-driven teams to scale impact.

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Areas of Expertise

Climate & Energy Policy Corporate Sustainability Strategy Just Transition & Climate Justice GHG Accounting & Emissions Reporting (Scope 1, 2, 3) Clean Transportation & Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Techno-Economic & Cost-Benefit Analysis Project & Program Management Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement Clean Energy Access & Climate Finance ESG Reporting & Frameworks (CDP, TCFD, ISSB) Regulatory Research & Market Intelligence Sustainable Business Model Innovation Cross-Sector Collaboration (NGOs, Startups, Academia)

Featured Projects

AgriSolar Climate Initiative AgriSolar Implementation
AgriSolar Climate Initiative

AgriSolar

Co-Founder & Sustainability Leader

I co-founded AgriSolar to bring affordable, solar-powered irrigation to smallholder farmers in Nigeria — replacing diesel pumps with clean, reliable energy that powers food security and climate resilience.

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AgriSolar field installation AgriSolar 2 AgriSolar 3 AgriSolar 4

We’ve partnered with six farmer cooperatives who are now using our solar pumps through their first-ever dry season, growing crops year-round and already seeing increased revenue from expanded harvests. Our model not only cuts carbon emissions but also creates economic opportunity in underserved rural communities.

As Sustainability Lead, I’ve overseen strategy, stakeholder engagement, and climate finance — securing $20K in initial funding and building a scalable business model. Most recently, we were named finalists in the 2024–25 Big Ideas Contest at UC Berkeley, where we’re competing for additional funding to expand our impact.

AgriSolar represents the kind of practical, inclusive climate innovation I aim to drive — grounded in community needs, powered by renewable energy, and built for lasting change.

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India Energy & Climate Center Research India Energy & Climate Center Research

India Energy & Climate Center

Graduate Researcher

Conducted cost-benefit and policy analysis on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India. Demonstrated India's competitive edge in SAF production and developed emissions-reduction frameworks for national policy alignment.

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Developed policy recommendations to align with India’s net-zero goals and inform national climate strategy.

Collaborated with industry stakeholders to identify cost-effective SAF production pathways, positioning India as a global leader in sustainable aviation.

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Kraken Technologies Kraken Technologies 2
Kraken Technologies

Kraken Technologies

Policy Research & Business Development Intern

Conducted market research and policy analysis to identify business opportunities in emerging clean energy markets. Developed recommendations for strategic partnerships and growth initiatives aligned with renewable energy transitions.

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At Kraken Technologies, I supported the U.S. expansion strategy for Infraflex, a decentralized energy management solution designed to optimize distributed energy resources. My work focused on navigating complex regulatory environments — building a custom database of 200+ PUC decisions across multiple states, and identifying key market entry opportunities. This research directly informed Kraken’s business development playbook for scaling clean energy innovation in regulated markets.

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General Motors ZEROgrid Initiative General Motors ZEROgrid Initiative

General Motors (ZEROgrid Initiative)

Policy Consultant

Developed GM's sustainability and carbon accounting framework, integrating policy recommendations to advance renewable energy adoption and net-zero goals.

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General Motors' Decarbonization Strategy sets a bold vision for achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 across its global operations and product portfolio. The strategy is anchored in science-based targets and focuses on three major levers: product emissions, operational energy use, and supply chain sustainability.

Product Emissions: GM plans to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035, backed by a $35 billion investment in electric and autonomous vehicles between 2020–2025. This includes the launch of over 30 new EV models globally by 2025.

Operational Emissions: GM aims to source 100% renewable electricity for its U.S. operations by 2025 (global operations by 2035), having already secured renewables for over 60% of current U.S. demand.

Supply Chain Engagement: The strategy emphasizes collaboration with suppliers to track Scope 3 emissions and integrate sustainable materials and low-carbon manufacturing practices. GM is also a founding member of the First Movers Coalition and a signatory of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C.

This roadmap positions GM as a leader in automotive decarbonization — integrating lifecycle emissions tracking, clean energy procurement, and circular economy principles to accelerate the shift to a zero-emissions future.

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Intuit Sustainability Initiative 1 Intuit Sustainability Initiative 2
Intuit Sustainability Consulting

Intuit

Graduate Sustainability Consultant

Built a scalable ESG reporting model for the California Green Business Network, mapped climate policy gaps across U.S. states, and designed expansion strategies for small business engagement.

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As part of a cross-functional team, I helped Intuit refine its climate program strategy to better support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in adopting sustainable practices. Our work centered around enhancing the storytelling and policy impact of Intuit's energy efficiency incentive programs.

Key contributions included:

  • Developing a storytelling framework to turn $1,000 microgrants into compelling, measurable success stories (e.g., "Saved 30% on energy costs").
  • Creating clear guidelines for nonprofit partners to consistently generate content aligned with Intuit's brand and policy goals.
  • Designing a stakeholder engagement roadmap connecting local success stories with state and federal climate policy, using GIS mapping to cluster projects by policymaker districts.
  • Analyzing climate legislation across California, Nevada, and Illinois to align Intuit's program with evolving regulatory landscapes, including SB 253 and CEJA.

The strategy positioned Intuit to transform community-level impact into a broader policy influence model—anchored in narrative consistency, data-driven storytelling, and climate equity.

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Darfur Women Network

Development Director

Led climate resilience and circular economy initiatives across refugee communities. Mobilized $100K+ in funding and managed a volunteer team to scale impact through sustainability education and waste management programs.

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Implemented safe stove programs

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TCS Rolls-Royce Project TCS Rolls-Royce Technical Documentation

Tata Consultancy Services

Technical Writer, Rolls-Royce Aerospace Project

Led technical documentation for aerospace control systems as part of the Rolls-Royce account. Created and maintained Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) using S1000D standards, ensuring regulatory compliance and precision in technical communication.

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During my time at TCS, I played a key role in the Rolls-Royce Control Systems Project, producing regulatory-compliant technical manuals and leading a high-performing documentation team:

  • Created and updated Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) following S1000D specifications, using tools like Framemaker Eclipse S1000D and XML frameworks.
  • Interpreted detailed engineering documents to produce accurate, industry-standard aerospace documentation.
  • Managed an 8-member team, adopting agile methodologies to optimize workflow and cut processing time by 20%, improving delivery speed and team efficiency.
  • Mentored new hires on project-specific tools and standards, fostering knowledge retention and quality consistency.
  • Spearheaded CSR and DEI initiatives, organizing cultural events and workshops that strengthened community and inclusion at the workplace.

This experience honed my skills in technical communication, team leadership, and process optimization in a highly regulated, detail-driven industry.

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Get In Touch

vinaya.acha@gmail.com LinkedIn