Story & Lesson Highlights with Megan Birney Rudert of Santa Barbara, CA

We recently had the chance to connect with Megan Birney Rudert and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Megan, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to start my day with a cup of tea and reading the news. This currently isn’t quite as fun as it use to be, but I feel like it’s still important to understand local, national and global events. Then I wake up my preschool aged daughter, have breakfast with her and get her ready for school. My husband takes her to school most days, but I must walk out to the street and wave goodbye to them as they bike away. Then I get to start my work day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Megan Birney Rudert, President & CEO of Unite to Light, a nonprofit based in Santa Barbara, California. We believe that access to light and power is a basic human right—yet 700 million people around the world live without reliable electricity. Unite to Light designs and distributes solar lights and solar battery banks to people living without power so they can read, study, deliver babies safely, run businesses, respond to disasters, and stay connected.

What makes us unique is that we work at the intersection of health, education, and economic opportunity—our projects range from equipping midwives in Bangladesh with solar chargers for their phones, to creating “light libraries” for students in Sierra Leone, to providing clean, safe light for disaster survivors here in the U.S. We partner with local organizations so the tools we provide are exactly what communities need and can be sustainably used for years to come.

Right now, we’re especially excited about a new partnership bringing clean energy solutions to women entrepreneurs in Tanzania, as well as pilots with local tech companies to test innovative ways to fight climate change. At the heart of it all, my work is about connecting resources, technology, and compassion to brighten lives—literally and figuratively.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was younger, I carried this quiet belief that I didn’t really matter—that what I didn’t have much consequence.

But life has a way of teaching you otherwise. Through my work with Unite to Light, I’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest act can change a life. Something as simple as a single solar light can allow a student to study at night and pass an exam, or help a midwife safely deliver a baby after dark. That’s not abstract—that’s real, tangible impact from something that could fit in your hand.

I’ve learned that every single one of us has the power to make things better, and that it’s worth showing up every day to try. That shift—from feeling powerless to knowing we all matter—has changed not just the way I work, but the way I live.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
When I had a newborn and was trying to do it all at work, I learned the hard way what happens when you stretch yourself too thin. One moment that really sticks out was pursuing VeraSol certification for our solar lights. We got the test reports and, at first glance, they seemed devastating—the light appeared not to work as designed. I panicked, assuming we’d failed.

In reality, I had misunderstood the report. It took me six months before I had the bandwidth to go back and really dig in—and the fix was simple: just one number on our packaging. Once we corrected it, we earned our certification.

That experience taught me a key lesson: trying to do everything at once leads to mistakes and stress. Now, before taking anything on, I ask, “Does this truly serve the mission?” and “Do we have the capacity to do this well?” That mindset helps me focus on what really matters and make a bigger impact.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to putting myself out of a job. When I started, 1.2 billion people lived without electricity. We’ve cut that in half, but nearly 250 million are still left behind by the current solar markets. My goal is simple: get light and power to every school, clinic, and home that needs it so communities can thrive. It’s a big mission, and it won’t happen overnight—but it’s one worth dedicating a lifetime to.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when I’m staring at a problem thinking, “Wait…how do people even do this?” Honestly, that’s my favorite place to be. Some people seek comfort zones; I chase the moments where I have to figure it out as I go. That’s when I’m most inspired, most creative, and often most impactful. If I already know all the answers or the process, I’m probably not pushing hard enough. So, being out of my depth isn’t a warning sign—it’s the sweet spot where the real work—and the real fun—happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unitetolight.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitetolight
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unite-to-light-inc-/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitetolight
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/unitetolight

Image Credits
Unite to Light