As the Founder and Executive Director of EnerCity Collaborative, James is a driving force in making the clean energy industry more inclusive and accessible. He is committed to breaking down barriers for BIPOC communities by creating career pathways in weatherization, residential energy auditing, deep-energy retrofitting, and net-zero building. Through partnerships with community organizations and nonprofits, he works to ensure that historically underserved communities have the same opportunities to thrive in the green economy—and access to healthy, energy-efficient homes. His work has helped minority contractors and aspiring professionals gain critical skills, earn industry credentials, and build successful careers in energy efficiency.

James is also the owner of Advanced Energy Inspections, a residential energy auditing company, where he helps homeowners make the most informed decisions about creating healthier homes, decreasing their energy burden, increasing their comfort, and saving money on their energy bills.

James has earned several industry-recognized credentials, including Building Performance Institute (BPI), Performance Tested Comfort Systems (PTCS), Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP), Home Energy Score, HERS Rater, and LEED Green Rater. She led the research and development of Framework, the first permitted wood high-rise in the U.S., serving as a catalyst for the country’s mass timber industry. She also spearheaded the headquarters project for Meyer Memorial Trust, one of Oregon’s largest foundations, which earned a ULI Americas Award for Excellence as a top 10 development in North and South America. Her civic leadership includes serving as Chair of Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). A published researcher and writer, she is on the patent Sustainable Performance Information for a Property and is author of “A Kids Book About Real Estate Development”.