2025 was an extraordinary period of growth and impact for INSPIRE as we continue our mission to build Social Performance capacity and contribute to shaping an ecosystem that aligns energy transition ambitions with justice and local economic transformation. INSPIRE works deeply with social practitioners and shareholders in South Africa, as well as increasingly with international partners from across Africa, Latin America and Asia. With this momentum, we welcome two new non-executive board members – Arai Monteforte and Thomas Garner.
Arai Monteforte
Arai Monteforte is from Ecuador and joins the INSPIRE board with more than two decades of leadership experience across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. As Vice President of Energy at Palladium, she leads initiatives focused on accelerating investment in reliable, affordable and sustainable energy systems. Over the course of her career, Arai has designed and overseen large-scale energy programmes for governments and development partners, managing portfolios exceeding $70 million and supporting power sector reform, utility transformation and private sector engagement.
Through Power Africa Empower West Africa, she oversaw a $73 million programme that operated in 18 countries, building a $1.5 billion pipeline of public–private energy projects. She also led the Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) programmes across 40 countries, supporting competitive renewable energy auctions, mobilising significant private investment and strengthening utility performance through gender-focused approaches.
Arai’s experience in climate and energy finance, market reform and institutional strengthening aligns closely with INSPIRE’s work to build Social Performance capacity within the energy transition. Her global perspective and strategic insight will support INSPIRE’s continued growth, deepen its engagement with policy and investment ecosystems and strengthen our commitment to an inclusive, people-centred just transition.
Thomas Garner
Thomas brings more than 30 years of experience in the South African mining and energy sectors as a professional mechanical engineer and industry leader. He was instrumental in the formation of Cennergi, serving as CEO from 2012 to 2016 and leading the successful development and construction of two major wind farms in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
It was during these developments that Thomas recognised the transformative potential of renewable energy to drive inclusive growth and deliver socio-economic benefits, particularly in rural communities. This realisation has shaped his subsequent work, including advising on renewable energy project development and water supply solutions for mines and communities. He currently leads Bosch Garner Niemand, an energy infrastructure advisory business and subsidiary of Rural Maintenance, which is guided by the philosophy of “Illuminating Southern Africa, one community at a time.”
A founding Chairman of the South African Independent Power Producers Association, Thomas continues to play an active advocacy role as a management committee member. An engineer at heart, Thomas is guided by the principle that engineering should promote the well-being of humankind, aligning with INSPIRE’s commitment to ensuring that renewable energy deployment delivers equitable and transformative socio-economic benefits for host communities.
The addition of Arai Monteforte and Thomas Garner to the INSPIRE board reflects our continued commitment to strengthening both strategic depth and practical insight at leadership level. Their combined expertise in global energy policy and markets, infrastructure development and development finance will enhance our ability to shape an eco-system where renewable energy implementation is socially responsible and people-centred.
Join us in welcoming both Arai and Thomas to the INSPIRE team, we are so lucky to have them!
