Darwin Curtis, Founder and Director of SHE, is a native of Illinois and served in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II. During his post war career in foreign service, he resided in both Asia and Africa where he acquired insight into the problems of the developing world. 

Subsequently, he was introduced to solar cooking and recognized its importance to economic development, public health, and environmental protection. He saw it as the most promising alternative household energy for much of a world in urgent need. He became a volunteer advocate and, in 1991, published a watershed global analysis of the technology’s potential. He has been committed to advocacy since that time. He holds an AB in Politics and History from Princeton.

Barbara Knudson, Ph.D. Faculty in Human Services; Professor Emerita, University of Minnesota; Co-Founder, Solar Household Energy, Inc. A sociologist, she has specialized in international women’s issues. She serves as an SCI board member and is heavily involved in both in-country management and evaluation of Kenyan projects.

Dr. Barbara Knudson’s past appointments include: Chairperson for Education Professor; Special Assistant to President, Director, Master's Program in Education; Institute of International Studies, University of Minnesota; Dean, University College, University of Minnesota; Professor, Women's Studies and Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Dr. Knudson holds a Ph.D, M.A., and B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

Louise Meyer, Ms. Meyer was the SHE Project Manager for EPA’s Partnership for Clean Indoor Air’s pilot project in Mexico researching solar cookers and smoke inhalation. Ms. Meyer also managed the World Bank’s Development Marketplace grant for the SHE "HotPotTM Initiative" in Mexico.

Her interest in solar cooking began 20 years ago developing small business enterprises in Ivory Coast for the International Labor Organization. She later gained field experience as a volunteer trainer for Solar Cookers International in refugee camps. She co-designed and launched the website AfricanCraft.com. Ms. Meyer holds an MA in French and German Language and Literature and spent many years teaching. She obtained a graduate degree in International Development from the African Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.