Cass Schmidt of Catalyst Energy Consulting on Getting Renewable Projects Across the Finish Line
Renewable energy projects don’t always need more people from start to finish. Sometimes, they need an experienced person at just the right moment. That’s where Catalyst Energy Consulting comes in. Founded by Cass Schmidt in 2025, the company offers a flexible approach to project support, and Cass is bringing that same openness to rethinking familiar practices as she builds her own team.
In this Q&A, Cass shares the vision behind Catalyst, her plans for its future, and her advice for women building careers in energy.
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Q: How did you get into energy consulting, and what made you start Catalyst?
I started my career in construction, working my way up from field engineer to project manager and leadership roles building wind, solar, and BESS projects. In 2024, I started to feel limited by my corporate role. I was only participating in one specific part of the project lifecycle, leaving the rest of my expertise untapped. I was also noticing the “solar coaster” nature of the industry: every company was trying to solve the same resource-leveling problem by adding a full-time hire. Meanwhile, some colleagues and I, who enjoyed the project management and technical sides, were underutilized in our salaried positions. We couldn’t just go support the work in need of help. So in 2025, I launched Catalyst to be the “band aid” companies need to get their projects across the finish line.
Q: What kinds of projects do you take on, and where do you make the biggest difference for clients?
We specialize in short-term support for utility scale renewable projects. This can range from creating an estimate of the cost of construction for a project in development to project management support when a project is at peak activity level. Each of our team members has more than a decade of experience in renewable energy construction and engineering, so we are able to jump into a project with minimal explanation to support our clients’ teams immediately. Since we’re a small company, we can take on smaller 1-3-month scopes that are harder for large companies to staff.
Q: What's next for you, and what advice would you give to women building a career in energy?
I just hired two more full-time employees and am excited to use our small size to challenge some of the corporate norms I grew up with. I’m not sold on the forty-hour minimum work week, and I don’t encourage a culture of work coming before life.
My advice for women building a career in energy:
- First, just consider it. In renewables (my focus area), the technology, policy, and design parameters are still very new compared to other sectors. Off the bat, that prevents a lot of the “old guard” mentality of other industries and creates more openness to diversity, sometimes showing up as more women in management and leadership roles.
- Find your people and stay in touch. Catalyst could not have happened without my rad network of folks supporting me every step of the way, from client referrals to answering niche questions so I can help a client over a hurdle.
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