SolaREIT Spotlight: February

Crissy Upston

At SolaREIT, our mission to accelerate the clean energy transition is driven by a diverse team of passionate, talented individuals. Each team member plays a critical role in delivering innovative financing solutions to solar and battery energy storage developers and landowners. As a minority- and women-owned business, we know that the unique contributions of every person on our team drive our collective success. 

At SolaREIT, our mission to accelerate the clean energy transition is powered by the people behind the work. Each month, we spotlight a member of our team whose contributions help strengthen our culture and support our continued growth. This February, we are excited to spotlight Crissy Upston, HR Generalist at SolaREIT, whose people-first approach has helped build structure, connection, and support across the organization. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. 

I was born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, and fun fact, so was my husband. We ended up raising our two sons, now 20 and 22, within a half-mile of both of our childhood homes, and they attended the same schools we did. Sports have always been a big part of my life. Whether I was on a field, court, mountain, or in a pool, I had a very active and competitive childhood. I am also a lifelong, die-hard D.C. sports fan and a proud UMD Terps supporter, a passion I inherited from my parents. 

My first post-college role was just down the road from SolaREIT as Assistant Athletic Director at The Potomac School. After our oldest son was born, I returned to Potomac part-time and transitioned into the Finance and HR departments, an unexpected opportunity that ultimately sparked my career as an HR Generalist. 

From there, I spent nearly 10 years at a woman-owned PR firm in Vienna, VA, a role I truly loved, before it ended due to an acquisition. I then spent five years in HR at a large construction company, where I gained valuable experience but also realized I thrive in smaller, more collaborative environments. I love being part of a close-knit team, like we have at SolaREIT, where you can clearly see the impact of your work and feel truly connected to the organization. 

What inspired you to join SolaREIT? 

I was drawn to SolaREIT because it is a women-led company where work-life balance is genuinely supported. While the renewable energy space was new to me, I was excited by the opportunity to learn from such an intelligent, mission-driven team. The company structure felt immediately familiar, a small, collaborative organization led by supportive women who understand the realities of being working moms. It felt like the right place to grow, contribute, and make an impact. 

What has been your most rewarding experience at SolaREIT? 

One of my most rewarding experiences has been helping build out our HR function. When I joined, Laura Klein, SolaREIT’s COO & CFO,  was managing the full HR workload. Since I joined SolaREIT, it has been incredibly rewarding to partner with her, and the broader team, to create more structure and resources. Together, we have developed our Employee Handbook, strengthened our benefits package, formalized our recruiting process, and launched the HR Portal in partnership with IT, giving employees access to what they need at any time. 

Another highlight has been reconnecting with Food For Others and establishing a new relationship for SolaREIT. As a team, we have assembled Power Packs for local students both in our office and at the Food For Others warehouse, and we are excited to return again in April. Supporting our community together has been incredibly meaningful and a great reminder of the impact a small, committed team can have. 

How do you see the future of renewable energy and SolaREIT’s role in it? 

The renewable energy space is evolving rapidly, and even as someone newer to the industry, it is clear how much momentum there is behind solar and battery storage. SolaREIT plays an important role in helping clean energy projects move forward, and it is rewarding to be part of a team contributing to that progress. 

What has surprised you most about working at SolaREIT? 

I have been most surprised by how close-knit our team is, even with more than half of us based in the Vienna office and the rest spread across the country. For a small company, there are many opportunities to connect in person, which really strengthens our collaborative and supportive culture. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of the office? 

Outside the office, you can usually find me spending time with my family watching whatever game is on, taking long walks with my husband and our dogs, or relaxing with a good book. I also love getting together with my girlfriends for book club and other outings, and my newest addiction is F45 workouts, which have become a fun and challenging part of my routine.