Michael Callender is a 2023-2024 Veterans Advanced Energy fellow at the Atlantic Council and leads electric-mobility investments at CleanCapital, a leading developer, financier, and owner-operator of middle-market solar and storage assets. Callender is focused on accelerating growth of demand-side energy transition projects, like electric vehicle charging infrastructure, by bringing innovative capital solutions for developers and partners. Previously, Callender led the North America origination team at Highland Electric Fleets, an owner-operator of electric school bus projects. His team was responsible for originating and deploying electric school bus fleets, for both municipal and commercial fleet operators, in over a dozen states and provinces.   

Callender approaches the advanced energy and transportation sector through a national-security lens, informed by his experience as a US Army cavalry officer. He spent time training partner-forces in Ukraine (in 2015 and 2016) shaped his views that localized renewable energy is the best defense against foreign adversaries’ weaponization of energy and natural resources. Callender’s final active-duty assignment was leading the Honor Guard’s Caisson Platoon, the horse-mounted unit rendering final honors for servicemembers in Arlington National Cemetery.   

Callender is a graduate of Tulane University and has an MBA from Cornell University.