A passionate believer in finding ways to support healthy rivers, promote biodiversity and decarbonize the grid, Gia has spent more than 20 years working in the energy industry. Inspired at a young age by her father, an inventor of novel renewable energy technologies, Gia co-founded Natel Energy in 2009 with her brother, Abe.
Gia was selected as a 2022 Grist “Fixer,” an honor given to the top 50 emerging climate and sustainability leaders; she has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a Clean Energy Champion and is an Unreasonable Fellowship recipient. Gia previously served as a partner at EKO Asset Management Partners and held past roles at Credit Suisse, where she established the energy trading desk and carbon emissions desk, and led commodity-focused work at Constellation Energy and Accenture.
Schneider received Chemical Engineering and Economics degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and currently serves as a board member of the Fresh Water Trust, the World Wildlife Fund National Council, and the International Hydropower Association. Gia enjoys surfing, kiting, and cooking with family and friends and lives in California with her husband and daughter.