Meet our vice president of market development and strategy: Aaron Kraus

Our Vice President, Market Development & Strategy Aaron Kraus is a long time energy and policy expert who joined Nuveen Green Capital in 2016, shortly after it was founded (originally as Greenworks Lending) in 2015. In his role, Aaron and his energetic team play a crucial role in forging partnerships with key stakeholders and identifying opportunities to expand Nuveen Green Capital’s footprint nationally.

Known for his strong communications skills, Aaron (pictured left , second from the right) can frequently be found traveling to events around the country, speaking on panels, and sharing his considerable expertise in the clean energy and sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions (C-PACE financing) space with the rest of his Market, Development and Strategy team.

Here he shares more about his background, his passion for decarbonization, as well as what he sees in the future!

Where are you from originally?

New York. I left for college but no matter what, I will always be a New Yorker!

Where are you based now?

Just outside Washington, D.C., in the great state of Maryland!

What do you do in your current role?

I am charged with leading Nuveen Green Capital’s market development and strategy by developing national channel relationships for our business, executing on early-state project origination approaches and direct-to-sponsor activity. Further, I contribute to the firm’s go-to-market strategy to ensure overall market demand for our product offerings and proactively pivoting to new approaches for the firm.

What led you to this career path?

I have been professionally involved in the clean energy space now for 15 years – from policy to renewable project implementation to business development and strategy. Energy always interested me because it became clear to me that it was the most fundamental aspect of society. Everything is built off how we produce and consume energy. Given the environmental, political, and economic challenges associated with our current energy landscape, I wanted my career to contribute to one of the most challenging human endeavors since the industrial revolution, the decarbonizing of society.

What do you see in the future for clean energy and this business?

There will be booms and busts in different corners of the clean energy industry, but the arrow of progress will inexorably lead upwards as the United States and the world continue to transition to zero and low carbon energy sources. The commercial built environment is an exciting part of the overall puzzle and the one that Nuveen Green Capital primarily focuses on. This sector will continue to grow, and our financial tools will allow us to reach parts of the market that have traditionally been underserved. I am very optimistic on our growth and contribution for the coming decades.