Nellie Gorbea

Founding President and CEO
Puerto Rico Green Energy Trust

Nellie Gorbea has over 30 years of leadership experience across government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. Known for her ability to drive innovation, diversity, and organizational change, she has consistently transformed organizations. In 2024, she became the founding President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Green Energy Trust, dedicated to ensuring clean, affordable, and reliable energy to all in Puerto Rico. The Trust funds research, development, and infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy.

As Rhode Island’s Secretary of State (2015–2023), Gorbea led technological advancements, increased business incorporations by 70%, boosted civic engagement, and achieved record voter turnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2014, she became the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in New England.

Gorbea has a long history of civic leadership in nonprofit boards. She currently serves on the boards of the Touro Synagogue Foundation in Newport, RI and the national BoricuActivatEd. She is also on the advisory boards of The Ascend Fund and Grupo 21.

A native of Puerto Rico and mother of three, Gorbea holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs. She was selected to participate in Yale’s Certificate Program in Financing and Deploying Clean Energy.