Dear Michigan Saves partners,
On behalf of the board of directors, I am writing to inform you that President and CEO Mary Templeton, has announced her plan to retire from Michigan Saves in mid-2023. Consistent with her leadership style, Mary has committed to a smooth transition with the care and diligence our partners and customers have come to rely on. The board will direct a search for Mary’s replacement, prioritizing someone who believes in Michigan Saves’ mission and vision.
Since 2010, Mary’s inclusive, collaborative, and authentic leadership has helped Michigan Saves grow from a concept to a nationally recognized nonprofit green bank known for outstanding service in making energy improvements more accessible to Michigan’s residents. The result? Residents from every corner of our state have been able to use more than $450 million in private capital for clean energy improvements that support thriving, healthy communities through energy savings and the reduction of carbon emissions.
What inspires me about this impact is who benefits. Mary’s commitment to our mission has meant working earnestly to create offerings that, taken together, begin to enrich the whole of Michigan. With the support of deep partnerships, we are proud that approximately 59 percent of residential funding is used by families in low- and moderate-income census tracts. Understanding the relationship between energy and health and safety in the home, Michigan Saves now operates a Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund that offers affordable financing to remove poisonous lead in rental and owner-occupied homes. Working to address the limitations of credit-based decisions, on-bill financing programs, and the recently launched Detroit Loan Fund are further examples of the good that can be done when we are laser-focused on ensuring everyone—no exceptions—has access to the benefits of clean energy.
In partnership with representatives from communities we serve, Michigan Saves recently developed a new mission, vision, values, and strategic plan that intentionally focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our new strategic plan builds on the tremendous impact we’ve had and gives us a process to accelerate and deepen the state’s equitable and just transition to clean energy. This plan is an example of Mary’s special kind of leadership. Her legacy strengthened our commitment to serve the whole of Michigan, especially those too often unseen.
Mary’s gift is creating space where we can see through the noise and connect with the people who are in our hearts and on our minds. This is what she’s done for Michigan Saves and will continue to do in future adventures.
For her years of dedication and innovative work, it is a tremendous honor to congratulate Mary on a job well done, and we wish her all the best in her well-deserved upcoming retirement.
Sincerely,
Paul Schutt
Michigan Saves Board President
P.S.: Stay tuned for details on forthcoming celebrations and festivities!
