Ahmar Zaman
Chief Financial Officer
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As CFO of GSI, I oversee several core functions related to the company’s financial health and overall operations. This includes leading our finance, accounting, and strategic capital teams, as well as supporting HR initiatives. My role involves ensuring that our financial records are accurate, that we have the funding needed to support our strategic goals, and that we’re able to clearly report on our financial performance. I also work closely with our partners at Libra and with our Executive Team to support budgeting, planning, and broader company objectives throughout the year.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
The most memorable moment I’ve had at GSI was the executive offsite retreat at Blue Mountain this past January. It was a valuable opportunity for the management and executive teams to come together, align on our goals for the year, and have thoughtful conversations around the company’s direction and areas for improvement. It was also a great chance to connect with colleagues in a more personal setting.
What led you to a career in Project development and coordination, and what have you found rewarding from working in the renewables sector?
I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers and had a strong interest in business, which naturally led me to a career in finance. What drew me in even more was the forward-looking nature of the field—while accounting tends to focus on the past and ensuring accuracy in historical data, finance is all about forecasting and planning for the future. I find it incredibly rewarding to think strategically about where a business is headed and what’s needed to get there.
I began my career in banking and spent about a decade on Wall Street. I entered the renewable energy sector in 2006, just as the industry was beginning to gain momentum in North America. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside the industry—visiting the factories of many publicly listed module manufacturers, working with developers across the U.S. and internationally, and helping raise capital for solar projects in different parts of the world.
It’s been a fulfilling journey, and after nearly 20 years, I still find the work exciting. Being part of a sector that’s making a tangible impact on the future is incredibly rewarding.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
One interesting fact that many of my colleagues might not know is that I grew up in Nigeria. I was born in Pakistan, and arrived there in 1978 and spent the next 10 years of my life immersed in the culture before moving to the U.S. in 1988. It was a formative experience that shaped much of who I am today.
When I first arrived in the States at age 16, I had a strong Nigerian accent and could speak the local language, Hausa—which is commonly spoken in the northern region where I lived. Nigeria is incredibly diverse, with 95 different languages representing 95 distinct tribes across the country. While I’ve since lost most of the language, the experience of growing up in such a vibrant and multicultural environment left a lasting impression on me.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family. I have two sons—one is 13 and the other is 18—so they definitely keep us busy. My older son is preparing to head off to college this fall, and my younger one is about to start high school, which makes this an exciting time for our family.
We enjoy spending time together playing basketball, going for walks around the city, and catching a good film. My older son is really into art cinema, so we’ll often go see screenings—especially films by Wong Kar-Wai, a renowned Hong Kong director whose work from the ’80s and ’90s we both admire.
Beyond that, I love to travel, try new restaurants, and cook at home . Exploring new places and cuisines is something we really enjoy together.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
One thing I’d really like to cross off my bucket list is getting my racing license. It’s something I’ve been interested in for a while. In the US, if you want to participate in club-level racing events or take certain cars out on a track, you need to be certified. I’d love the opportunity to take something like a Porsche Cayman or a 911 Carrera out on a proper track and really open it up.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Top Gun (1986)
- Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
- Musician/Band: Guns N’ Roses
- Restaurant (City): Locanda Verde (New York City)
- Food: Cajun food, Pakistani cuisine, and Hakka (Chinese/Indian)
- Sports Team: New York Knicks
- City: Hong Kong
Neel Mathur
Investment Analyst
Give us a brief overview of your role.
I support the development and adjustment of financial models across all GSI portfolios in both Canada and the U.S. I also help prepare materials for approaching lenders or prospective project buyers. At its core, my focus is on the numbers—ensuring we have a clear understanding of the potential financial returns and expected outcomes that drive key business decisions.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
During my time at GSI, the most memorable moment was the visit from Libra’s Executive Chairman, George Logothetis. Hearing him articulate Libra’s vision for GSI and how our work fits into the broader strategy was both informative and inspiring. It reinforced the impact of what we do and provided a meaningful perspective on the company’s long-term goals.
What led you to a career in Project development and coordination, and what have you found rewarding from working in the renewables sector?
I was drawn to a career in finance largely because of my early exposure to the field. My father was an investment banker, and growing up, I was fascinated by the way he viewed the world through the lens of finance. He would explain how market events influenced investment opportunities, which sparked my interest in understanding financial systems. I also enjoyed working with numbers and data, which naturally led me to financial modeling. Over time, I found that finance is not just about numbers—it’s about translating financial insights into stories, which deepened my appreciation for the field.
As for the renewable energy sector, my interest developed through hands-on experience in clean tech and renewable energy during past internships. What I find most rewarding is the rapid innovation in the space—new technologies, evolving regulations, and emerging opportunities constantly reshape the industry. The dynamic nature of renewables means there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a breakthrough in solar efficiency or a shift in policy that drives investment. Knowing that my work contributes to a more sustainable future makes it even more fulfilling.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
One interesting fact about me is that I used to cater food for family and friends’ events. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, and while these days it mostly translates into meal prepping, I still love making Thai dishes like fried rice and curries. I also have a passion for French cuisine and enjoy preparing traditional stews, steak, and even duck—though that’s usually just for myself.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I stay busy with a variety of hobbies. I play the drums and have been involved in a music club at the University of Waterloo. I also produce music, spending time recording, mixing, and mastering tracks for friends, with a focus on funk, jazz, rock, and pop. Beyond music, I enjoy rock climbing and traveling—I’ve been to every continent except Australia. Exploring new places and staying active are things I’m really passionate about.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
Skydiving is definitely at the top of my list. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time but haven’t gotten around to doing yet. I’ve heard that once you’re in the air, it’s surprisingly peaceful, so I’d love to experience that firsthand.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Pulp Fiction
- Book: Lord of the Rings
- Musician: Stevie Wonder
- Restaurant (City): Dusit (Edinburgh)
- Food: Pizza
- Sports Team: Toronto Raptors
- City: Tokyo, Japan
Drew Rogerson
Senior Project Developer
Give us a brief overview of your role.
I am the Senior Project Developer in New York, leading our NY solar development efforts. We have quite an extensive pipeline and I deal mainly with moving projects forward to NTP, through working with landowners, liaising with local governments to acquire permits, and everything in between.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
My most memorable moment has been visiting our under-construction Martin & Horning sites in Penn Yan, NY. I was able to meet the landowners who are great people to work with and it was awesome to see how much progress our engineering & construction teams have made so quickly.
What led you to a career in Project development and coordination, and what have you found rewarding from working in the renewables sector?
I’ve aways been passionate about the environment and conservation of nature since I was a kid. It started by me spending time around and being interested in the ocean. It always frustrated me when I’d see trash at the beach, which drove me to want to make an impact and developed my interest in finding a career in the environmental space. Before I began working, I studied Energy Business and Finance at Penn State. After school, I dove right into the energy industry, doing solar engineering and consulting, as well as solar + wind project development before joining the GSI team in 2024.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
I’ve been a competitive water polo player for most of my life. I played since I was 12 years old, won a state championship in high school and continued for all 4 years at Penn State, which I was the team captain for 2.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I really enjoy doing CrossFit, and I’m also a big surfer and snowboarder. It can be tough to surf in the city, but when the waves are good, I’ll pack up my surfboard and wetsuit and get on the train to the beaches in Queens or Long Beach. I also usually try to do a couple of snowboard trips per year. This year I plan on going to Jackson Hole and Utah. On the days I’m just sticking around the city, I love spending time with my dog, Koda.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
I’d Love to learn how to properly sail a boat. I took sailing lessons as a kid, but I think it would be amazing to take a sailing trip in the future.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Book: Dune by Frank Herbert
- Musician: Led Zeppelin
- Restaurant (City): The Four Horsemen (Brooklyn)
- Food: Philly Cheesesteak
- Sports Team:NY Giants
- City: Ericeira, Portugal
Kyra Windrim
Project Coordinator
Give us a brief overview of your role.
I support the development team’s Western Canadian initiatives, with specific emphasis on Saskatchewan. A large portion of my role is currently focused on our 100 MW Iyuhána Solar Project located in the RM of Estevan, Saskatchewan. My role involves regulatory permitting, community and stakeholder engagement and all things project management.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
My most memorable moment with GSI were in my first few weeks of joining GSI. Members of GSI’s Iyuhána team made the journey to Estevan for a productive and enjoyable business trip, including the first Community Open House for the Project, touring the future project site with the RM of Estevan Reeve and attending Ocean Man First Nation’s 2024 Pow wow. It was great to get to know my colleagues outside of the typical work environment.
What led you to a career in Project development and coordination, and what have you found rewarding from working in the renewables sector?
Right from high school I knew I wanted to pursue a career that made a difference, and I also had a passion for the environmental field, which led me to complete my degree in Environmental Sciences. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan and doing some travelling, I started my career as a Project Coordinator in environmental consulting, and I quickly learned that I enjoyed the project management side. Though I was interested in the renewables industry, there were very few opportunities in Saskatchewan in this field. When the opportunity came to join GSI, I focused on catching my renewable industry knowledge up to speed and with the help of the incredible team at GSI. Although there is plenty to learn yet, I feel like I’ve made great strides in my renewable energy knowledge since joining the team.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
I visited 8 countries and 3 continents in 2024:
- Thailand
- Laos
- Vietnam
- Japan
- Italy
- Portugal
- Ireland
- United States
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I spend a lot of time being active – I am a personal trainer on the side, so whether it’s myself or my clients, indoors or outdoors, I spend a lot of time in the wellness industry. I also travelling, adventuring, spending time in the mountains and hiking. Lastly, I love spending time with my little puppy, Poppy!
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
I would love to see the 7 wonders of the world. I’ve been to the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, but it’s my goal to see the remainder:
- Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
- Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Machu Picchu (Cuzco Region, Peru)
- Petra (Ma’an, Jordan)
- Chichén Itzá (Yucatán, Mexico)
- Great Wall of China (China)
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Interstellar
- Musician: Taylor Swift
- Restaurant (City): Osteria da Fortuna (Rome)
- Food: Pizza
- Sports Team: Edmonton Oilers
- City: Amalfi, Italy