Alumni from the Rady School of Management share how they used their degrees to disrupt their industries to bring innovative ideas, products and programs to the market.
Kian Salehizadeh – Bringing Sustainability to Charitable Organizations
The shift to solar energy is sweeping the nation – but for the majority of Americans, adopting the energy efficient practice is not in their budget. Although solar panels can save money in the long run, acquisition and installation can cost up to $15,000. The high cost of energy bills is especially detrimental for small businesses and community charities while working with small budgets to make big societal changes.
Noticing the lack of access to a sustainable practice, Kian Salehizadeh (MBA ’11) co-founded Everybody Solar — a company 
that works to protect the environment and strengthen U.S. communities through solar energy projects.
“Everybody Solar raises funds to provide solar installations to local charities, helping them reduce electricity costs and direct their limited resources to the communities they serve,” Salehizadeh said. “We are promoting clean energy and environmental sustainability by raising funds for disruptive charities that are critical to their local communities, and in some cases, involved in national efforts and causes.”
The benefit of the company is two-fold – charities are able to install solar energy systems that save money so nonprofits are able to divert funds away from utility bills and back into their programs, while the sustainable energy efficient system benefits the environment.
“I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, and the Rady School emphasis on innovation was apparent from the start. The faculty constantly encourages thinking outside the box and the Lab to Market series serves as a foundational element of the program.”