Adam Branovan

Analyst

Give us a brief overview of your role.

I started at GSI in May of 2022 as a financial analyst. Broadly, my job is to drive the financial modeling behind a lot of the development and investment decisions. That applies throughout the development or operating process, such as the early stages, where we’re trying to evaluate new projects and markets based on early research and experience in similar markets. I also provide support in the later stages, where we already have a lot of information about a particular project, and we need to determine the next steps in the development process. On that end, I also help with preparing items to facilitate lending or tax equity.

What is the most memorable moment you have had working here?

The day the acquisition of Saturn Power closed was probably the busiest and most memorable. Everyone was wearing a bunch of hats because we all had our normal day-to-day work to do on top of all the last-minute work that goes into finalizing documentation and wrapping up the acquisition. And then, on my end, part of my responsibility was facilitating the press release and website changes, which was new for me. So, I think the most memorable moment was when that finally closed, and then we could all put the laptops away and relax for a moment.

What led you to a career in finance, and more specifically in the renewables sector?

I had taken a couple of classes that I really liked in college that led me in that direction. I took a class called impact investing, a type of niche investment industry where you’re focused on investing in companies with a particular social or environmental impact. I really enjoyed this and found it interesting. The class was unique in that we were able to act as Angel Investors to invest part of the college’s endowment in environment focuses companies. I really liked that process and the marrying of the financial and environmental analysis. After college, I started working at a real estate investment company, which was my first exposure to project finance. And then, when I saw this opportunity, I thought it was a really good way to combine the infrastructure finance part with my interests in renewables.

Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.

I’ve been learning to play guitar for the last year, and I’ve really been enjoying it. I’m mostly teaching myself, but I have a couple of friends who help me out with it. Generally, I just find a few songs that I like listening to and look up the chords for them and try to figure it out from there.

What is the main thing that you would like to cross off your bucket list?

Heli-skiing is a big one on my bucket list. It’s basically skiing in a remote, backcountry area where you have to get helicoptered in. That’s a big dream for me, for sure.

How do you relax outside of work?

I have a few hobbies I like to do in my free time, like playing guitar or playing chess in the park – I do that a couple of times a week. I also have quite a few friends who live really close by too, so I hang out with them a lot.

What is a personal accomplishment that you are really proud of?

My friend and I started a ski club at my college, where we convinced the school to give us funding so that we could set up ski trips and lessons for beginners who had never skied before.

Rapid Fire Favourites

  • Movie: Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • Book: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
  • Musician: Hozier
  • Restaurant (City): Suraya (Philadelphia)
  • Food: Bagels
  • City: Melbourne, Australia