Nithya Menon ’12 on Solar Innovation, Leadership for a Sustainable Future

Written By: Gena Wynkoop, Editorial Content Manager

On October 20, 2024, Seattle Academy will host the third biannual SAAS Summit, centered on the themes of Climate, Conservation, and Citizenship. Through a keynote address and breakout sessions led by SAAS community members, the event will highlight courageous leadership and innovative solutions aimed at building a healthier planet, fostering vibrant communities, and ensuring a sustainable future. 

Seattle Academy alumna Nithya Menon ’12 is revolutionizing energy access.

As the Head of Product and Technology at Okra Solar, a company she co-founded in 2016, Nithya leads efforts to deliver electricity to remote, off-grid locations around the world.

“For me, it’s been an incredible experience,” Nithya shared. “I was a hands-on engineer in the early days, building all of our products, and now I’m transitioning into product leadership.”

Her journey from a high school student at Seattle Academy to finding her calling in the energy sector wasn’t always clear. It took years of pursuing an engineering education and various career paths before she had the “aha” moment that crystallized her desire to make an impact.

During her time at SAAS, Nithya was an active student with diverse interests. She enjoyed learning French and found classes like American Studies particularly impactful.

“American Studies was a transformative class for me. It helped me connect ideas, think critically, communicate effectively, and step out of my comfort zone—skills I’ve carried with me throughout my life,” she explained.

It was also at SAAS that Nithya’s affinity for math and science began to take shape, sparking her interest in the technical side of things.

“After SAAS, I went to Harvey Mudd and earned my engineering degree there. I wasn’t entirely sure what engineering would look like for me, but I knew I enjoyed the field,” Nithya recalled. “Mudd produces many talented engineers, but typically into areas like Silicon Valley and aerospace, which weren’t really calling out to me.”

After graduation, she took on various contract jobs and had key influences that helped her envision how a career in engineering could align with her desire for impact.

“My eyes were opened to the possibilities of solar energy—not just in the U.S. grid, but for rural and off-grid parts of the world,” Nithya explained. “That shifted my thinking about how my technical background could contribute to a mission-driven cause.”

This was a pivotal realization for Nithya.

“I knew I wouldn’t be fulfilled in a career I didn’t truly believe in. I became committed to figuring out how I could combine my engineering background with a social mission.”

Her focus on impact led her to work across East and West Africa and Southeast Asia, taking on contract roles that tackled resource access issues—from water to energy to agriculture. Then came the moment that set her on the path to founding Okra.

"My best friend, who was working on energy access in Cambodia at the time, introduced me to the two people who would later become the co-founders of Okra. I was between projects, and as it often happens, the best opportunities seem to come along fortuitously at just the right moment. That was nearly seven years ago," Nithya smiled.

Okra Solar was born, focusing on delivering solar energy to rural and off-grid areas. The company began its work in Cambodia and soon expanded across Southeast Asia. Today, their primary focus is on Nigeria and Haiti, with plans to extend to other parts of Africa.

“It’s been an incredible experience over these seven years. I started as a hands-on engineer building products, and now I’m moving into a leadership role in product development,” explained Nithya.

Okra builds both hardware and software products that work together to deliver reliable energy. The hardware is a solar charge controller that, when connected to a solar panel and battery, provides electricity for households.

“The unique aspect is that this controller can also connect to others in the community via cables, creating a flexible, modular grid,” Nithya explained. “It allows power to be redistributed where it’s needed most, offering more reliable energy access that adapts to the needs of each community.”

Currently, Nithya and the Okra team are based in Portugal to stay aligned with their operations in Asia and Africa.

“At the end of the day, our mission remains the same: we want everyone on the planet to have access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity,” said Nithya. “Seeing how this work can change a household’s daily existence is a tangible and motivating force for us.”

Nithya will soon return to Seattle from Portugal to speak on the keynote panel at the next SAAS Summit. She’s excited to bring her experience back to the SAAS community.

“I’ve seen SAAS evolve over the years, and it’s inspiring to see how the school continues to develop,” she said, reflecting on the school’s growth in rigor and innovation. She encourages students to embrace unconventional career opportunities and explore paths less traveled.

“My hope for current SAAS students is that they make the most of the incredible educational opportunities they have. Use those intentionally and think about what you want to do with your life! Question where you can go, and don’t feel like you need to follow the traditional paths laid out for you. The world is different now, and we don’t have to do what our parents did.”

She added, “I’m inspired by how SAAS has evolved. The diversity of thought and experience that students are exposed to is amazing. I hope they take that perspective with them, focus on their passions, and find ways to make a difference in the world.”

You can catch Nithya on the keynote panel at the SAAS Summit on October 20, 2024. Visit the SAAS Summit website for more information, and register HERE for the event.