Meet Our Advisors

Below are the experts that make up the Arda Advisors team. Depending on your needs we can pull from multiple disciplines and experience to provide solutions large and small.

  • James is a seasoned energy policy expert and attorney with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance, government engagement, and clean energy advocacy. James Strange got his start in clean energy working for SolarCity in commodities contracting before earning his J.D. and working as an advisor to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. After returning to California, James served as associate general counsel for the Center for Sustainable Energy, helping to oversee some of the nation’s largest clean energy and transportation electrification programs. Prior to starting Arda Advisors, James directed a committee that oversaw the implementation of community benefits plans for over $60 billion in federal grants for clean energy projects at the United States Department of Energy.


  • John is an experienced energy professional and registered professional mechanical engineer with over 20 years in the industry. Most recently, John served as a Federal Project Engineer at the DOE Loan Programs Office. John is skilled in technical due diligence, project management, and clean energy project finance and underwriting. John is passionate about leveraging his expertise to advance clean energy initiatives and drive positive change in the industry.

  • Most recently, Kate served as Senior Advisor on Industrial Strategy to the Secretary Granholm at the Department of Energy. She specializes in place-based economic development, and represented the Department on the Energy Communities Interagency Working Group.

    Prior to joining the Department of Energy, Kate’s experience in policy, law, and finance informed her work designing multifaceted energy efficiency and clean energy solutions for communities of all sizes and demographics. She also has worked extensively developing state-based roadmaps for economic development in clean energy industries. Kate earned J.D. and LL.M. degrees from Duke University and an MPP from UC Berkeley.

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