Monique Alfris

In 2012, Monique co founded Pollinate Energy, a social business. The mission of the business is to improve the lives of India’s city tent dwellers by providing them with access to products such as solar light and efficient cook stoves. Pollinate Energy has now impacted over 10,000 people and was recognised as a UN Lighthouse Activity at the recent COP in Poland. Working across Asia, Monique spent 2 years developing renewable energy loans for micro finance organisations. This led to the inspiration for Pollinate Energy. Prior to this Monique spent almost a decade making the buildings we live and work in better – for us and for the environment.

These projects spanned Australia, Asia and Africa and ranged from houses to city precincts. During this time she was appointed to the Sydney board of management of the international consultancy firm WSP and the board of the National Association for Women in Construction, a not-for-profit. Monique has degrees in Engineering and Economics, is an ambassador for the Living Building Challenge and loves the ocean.