Triangle Business Journal's 2021 40 Under 40 Awards: Eric Rubinstein

What accomplishments are you most proud of? The team we have put together at Leyline Renewable Capital. I am constantly amazed at the team we have, the things we are able to accomplish and how quickly we have grown while maintaining a high caliber of talent.

I am also proud of what Leyline enables for the renewables industry. Our funding accelerates projects to get to start of construction, get online faster, and facilitates more low-carbon energy solutions to our society.

What community causes or charities have you been involved in during the past year? Within Leyline, we have been laser-focused on addressing inequitable representation in renewable energy and our team has done so much.

What is the greatest obstacle you have overcome in your career? I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. The benefit of that is I have gotten into all kinds of endeavors, from nonprofits, to education, to financial services, to manufacturing, to software and now to renewable energy. But there have been times where not having a clear end goal has been a real detriment to my continued professional growth.

Nothing makes me madder than folks not living up to their promises.

Who would make the guest list for your dream business lunch? My great-grandfather Richard Morawetz, the head of the jute cartel in the Czech Republic back in the early 1900s. I also would invite Sir Richard Branson, who I have seen talk and think pretty highly of. And while we are at it, John Rockefeller and Thomas Edison to keep the conversation lively.

What is your secret talent? I am pretty darn good at Scrabble and know a lot of oddball words.

What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic? I can stay focused for longer periods of time in gym shorts and/or sweatpants than in jeans or slacks. Structure and boundaries are important to keep myself focused. I am a pretty good chef when I want to (or have to) be.