Graduation Date: June 2009
Degree(s): M.S. Mechanical Engineering; M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering—Energy/Atmosphere;
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (University of Rochester)
During her three months in Thailand with Border Green Energy Team (BGET), Patricia helped develop the business plan for BGET’s spin-off company, SunSawang (Sawang is Thai for power). SunSawang is slated to be a for-profit, solar electricity service company whose mission is to provide solar products and services to rural villages of Thailand. Patricia helped design the product and service offerings strategy, market promotion and penetration strategy, and financial strategy; she initiated supply chain development and partnering to reduce the capital cost of the company’s solar equipment; and she proposed, managed, and conducted a qualitative market research study in rural villages to determine the most appropriate handheld solar-powered product for SunSawang’s tier one product offering.
When not working on startup tasks, Patricia contributed directly to BGET by attending a biosand water filter installation for a school in a Burmese refugee camp and by writing and editing award nominations, grant proposals, and final reports for BGETs past and future projects.
“…it changed the way I perceived NGOs - gave me a clearer picture of their role in developing countries and I got to experience what it is like to live in a developing country.”
Patricia McHale
“[Patricia’s] experience in business settings helped writing a business plan for our solar social venture.”
Salinee Tavaranan, Director
Border Green Energy Team