Alexandra Ruiz
Alexandra Ruiz
Founder & CEO, GreenSpark Energy
“I don’t just build companies — I build possibilities for the next generation.” 
Alexandra Ruiz is the Founder & CEO of GreenSpark Energy, a renewable energy solutions company that has transformed how communities across the Southwest access affordable solar power. With offices in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver, GreenSpark has served over 4,500 residential clients and 600 commercial accounts since its founding in 2012.
Her entrepreneurial path began in an unlikely place — the back office of her father’s auto shop. Alexandra grew up balancing ledgers and learning customer service firsthand. After earning a degree in environmental engineering, she worked for a multinational energy corporation. While the salary was comfortable, she felt stifled by bureaucracy and disillusioned by the company’s lack of urgency around climate change.
In 2012, Alexandra took a leap of faith, maxing out her savings to launch GreenSpark from her small garage. The company quickly gained traction, winning contracts with local municipalities and expanding into underserved communities. By 2018, her firm had reached $25 million in annual revenue.
Recognition & Media
- Named Top 40 Under 40 by Phoenix Business Journal (2017)
- Featured on CNBC’s Sustainable Future series (2019)
- Recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovation Award (2021)
Personal Bio
Beyond business, Alexandra is a mentor for female founders through the Latina Entrepreneurs Network and serves on the board of Clean Cities Coalition. She believes leadership means lifting others and uses her platform to advocate for renewable energy equity.
Why I Do What I Do
“My why is simple: I grew up in a neighborhood where clean energy wasn’t an option. My parents struggled with rising electric bills, and I saw too many families forced to choose between paying utilities or groceries. That planted a seed in me — one day, I would create a company that made renewable energy accessible for everyone, not just the wealthy.
I wake up each morning believing GreenSpark is not just about solar panels — it’s about dignity, choice, and giving families a fair shot at a sustainable future. For me, it’s about more than technology. It’s about legacy.”
How I Overcame My Greatest Challenge
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, GreenSpark’s projects came to a halt. Contracts were delayed, supply chains disrupted, and Alexandra faced laying off half her staff. “It was the darkest moment of my career. I had built a company for eight years, and it felt like it could disappear in eight weeks.”
Instead of shrinking, she pivoted. GreenSpark launched a community relief initiative, installing solar panels at food banks and shelters at cost, funded partly by crowdfunding campaigns. The effort generated national press and attracted new commercial clients impressed by GreenSpark’s values-driven leadership.
By 2022, the company was not only back on track — it had doubled its client base.
“Resilience isn’t about avoiding storms. It’s about learning how to generate power in the middle of one.”
Quick Facts
- HQ: Phoenix, AZ
- Founded: 2012
- Employees: 140
- Favorite motto: “Leave the world brighter than you found it.”
Message to Future Entrepreneurs
“If I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Readiness is a myth. Start with what you have, where you are, and trust that resourcefulness will take you further than resources ever could.
Also, invest in people. Technology changes, markets shift, but people remain the backbone of your business. Treat them with dignity, and they will carry your vision farther than you imagined.”
Legacy Statement
Alexandra envisions a world where every household, regardless of zip code, has access to clean, affordable energy. She hopes her journey proves that entrepreneurs can be both profitable and purpose-driven.