Building a Purpose-Driven Workplace at Clean Power Research

CPR’s values and policies align with its mission to power the renewable energy transformation through trust and transparency.

Written by Brigid Hogan
Published on Jun. 12, 2024
Building a Purpose-Driven Workplace at Clean Power Research
Clean Power Research
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Clean Power Research is on a mission — to power the renewable energy transformation with the cloud solutions and software it needs to achieve the vision of a clean-powered planet.

The company’s focus on the future extends to its team, as well, and CPR’s leaders are committed to helping employees build the futures they envision for themselves.

“CPR’s company culture is a beacon of authenticity, trust and work-life balance, fostering individual growth and collective success,” Senior HR Manager Leslie Moreau-Carlson said. “Our values, culture and policies are aligned with our mission of powering the energy transformation with trusted, adaptable and efficient solutions.”

This core mission serves as a guiding light for operations across the organization, from hiring practices to executive decision-making processes. Even CPR’s self-funded approach underscores the company’s commitment to stability and independence — for the company, for the future of energy and for each employee.

Management also champions transparency, ensuring that every team member is in the loop about the company’s strategy and direction. The weekly “Pulse” newsletter not only shares broader strategic objectives but also highlights the company’s day-to-day activities, particularly those related to sales, deals and business development. Keeping the team aligned on the details also unifies activities around the mission by demonstrating the connection between individual tasks and CPR’s work and growth.

CPR also maintains a clear vision for personal and professional growth with structured career paths, individual goals and robust feedback mechanisms to guide advancement and foster accountability and ownership, according to Moreau-Carlson. By investing in the growth and development of its team members, CPR empowers them to make a greater impact in their roles and contribute to the company’s mission. 

“Our company is a rare gem — a place where individuals flourish, contribute meaningfully and lead balanced lives,” Moreau-Carlson said. This nurturing environment is instrumental in attracting and retaining top talent, driving innovation and ensuring long-term success.

 

“Our company is a rare gem — a place where individuals flourish, contribute meaningfully and lead balanced lives.”

 

Built In heard from Moreau-Carlson about how the company’s dedication to authenticity, transparency and professional growth not only fosters individual achievement but also propels collective success.

 

A group of Clean Power Research employees post for a photo while floating on paddleboards and in kayaks.
Clean Power Research

 

What is the employee value proposition for those thinking about joining Clean Power Research?

Leslie Moreau-Carlson
Senior Human Resources Manager • Clean Power Research

The employee value proposition at CPR is multifaceted and compelling. CPR has an outsized impact on challenges around the environment and climate change globally. We support a wide range of influential utilities, renewable developers and government agencies addressing these global challenges. 

We are proud to have 14 of the 15 largest utilities in the United States using CPR cloud solutions, and we’re also proud to support many small municipal utilities, co-ops and small developers worldwide. The software we build, deploy and manage scales to problems at all levels. 

We identify great talent for whom our mission and vision resonate. Financial stability and growth provide employees with confidence in the company’s future and opportunities for long-term career advancement. The company’s track record of promotion from within demonstrates a commitment to recognizing and rewarding talent. 

Working at CPR offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in renewable energy and clean technology that is increasingly global, along with ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive and innovative company culture.

 

“Working at CPR offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in renewable energy and clean technology that is increasingly global.”

 

What’s your vision for leading your team?

My vision for leading the HR team at CPR is to foster a workplace culture where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential. I aim to be proactive in anticipating the needs of our employees and the organization, providing strategic guidance and innovative solutions to drive growth and success. 

As an HR team, we are committed to building strong relationships with employees at all levels. Being a mission-driven company, CPR stands out among other software companies. By leaning into our company mission and our values of honesty, objectivity, excellence and ingenuity, we provide an atmosphere that is unique in the software industry and attracts passionate people with diverse backgrounds and motivations.

 

How do you build team culture?

Building a strong team culture is essential at Clean Power Research and is deeply ingrained in the company’s identity and our mission-driven ethos. Our team culture revolves around our shared mission and values. We engage in environmental initiatives like park cleanups and Earth Day runs, fostering camaraderie while making a positive impact. Social responsibility is key, seen in activities like volunteering at food banks, helping with mock interviews and participating in the Ridwell recycling program. 

We prioritize inclusivity, celebrate successes and continuously seek ways to improve. This culture not only strengthens our team bonds but also drives our commitment to renewable energy, environmental sustainability and making a difference in our community. By fostering a culture of shared values, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact both within the company and in the broader community.

 

How do you help your team grow their careers?

At our company, we prioritize the growth of our team members’ careers by implementing comprehensive career-leveling plans tailored to each role. We emphasize internal promotions and clear advancement paths, complemented by training and mentorship programs. This proactive approach equips our team with the tools and support needed to expand their skill sets and progress within the company. 

Our comprehensive onboarding plan ensures new employees are set up for success. Employees can see how their contributions align with their career aspirations and progress accordingly. 

The company fosters a collaborative, communicative and agile work environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas and adapt to changing priorities.

Additionally, we offer training for new managers and utilize the DiSC platform for enhanced awareness of communication and individual styles and preferences. We continually invest in our employees by providing quality training opportunities for managers.

 

A cake reading SolarAnywhere 3.7 with a logo of mountains and a sunburst is cut by a person wearing a watch and holding the knife with both hands.
Clean Power Research

 

What role do your team members play in building, strengthening, or celebrating Clean Power Research’s mission and culture?

Our team members are integral to building, strengthening and celebrating our company mission and culture. 

A key example is the collaboration among various teams on updating our SaaS solution, SolarAnywhere, to version 3.7 last summer. Each member contributed unique expertise and creativity. Throughout the project, a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose helped team members overcome challenges and achieve milestones. Their dedication not only strengthened our reputation as a leader in clean energy technology but also reinforced our culture of innovation and collaboration. 

To celebrate the successful launch, we organized an event recognizing employees’ contributions, highlighting the collective impact we achieve when united in our mission.

 

Read MorePowering the Worldwide Energy Transformation: The Vision That Energizes VP of Engineering Carlos Brito 

 

 

Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Images provided by Clean Power Research.

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