Hayes Barnard

Last updated
Hayes Barnard
Hayes Barnard photo.jpg
Born
Creve Coeur, Missouri
Education University of Missouri(BA)
OccupationsFounder, Chairman, CEO of GoodLeap
Founder, Chairman, CEO of GivePower
Years active2003–present
Children3
Website goodleap.com
givepower.org

Hayes Barnard is an American entrepreneur. He is currently the founder, chairman, and CEO of GoodLeap, a technology-based finance company. Barnard is also the founder, chairman, and CEO of GivePower, a nonprofit that facilitates solar powered projects to provide clean water and energy systems to underserved communities. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Barnard was born and raised by a single mother in Creve Coeur, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. [4] His father left when Barnard was three years old. Barnard graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in management and marketing. [5] He won a football scholarship to Central Missouri State, but was injured during his freshman year and subsequently transferred to the University of Missouri, where he graduated with a degree in management and marketing. [5] [6]

Awards/Honors Update

Barnard got inducted into the University of Missouri Hall of Fame back in 2024. This happened because of his key work in pushing renewable energy innovation and social entrepreneurship efforts. The source for that is the University of Missouri from 2024. The University of Missouri Business School called this induction a nod to his success in business dealings and his giving back through philanthropy. They pointed especially to his involvement with GivePower. That detail comes from the University of Missouri Business School [7] in 2024. This latest award builds on some earlier honors mentioned in the article. It shows how more institutions are starting to recognize Barnards contributions in a bigger way. [8]

Outdated Numerical Information Adjustments

A number of public reports show that old estimates for GoodLeaps [9] valuation and other financial numbers tied to Barnard have shifted since then. The company kept expanding, so those figures moved around. Thats according to RedCarpetLife [10] with no date. The same goes for GivePowers [11] reported effects, which grew as they put in more projects for clean water and renewable energy in places around the world. RedCarpetLife mentions that too, no date given. Since valuations for companies and the scope of philanthropy can change every year or so, fresh updates in reporting would make the article more precise overall. [12]

Career

In 1995 Barnard went to San Francisco to be a part of the hi-tech boom. His first jobs were manning booths at trade shows. [6] He then went on to work at Oracle as a sales executive. [13] In September 2003, Barnard founded Paramount Equity Mortgage (later renamed to Loanpal and subsequently rebranded to GoodLeap), [14] one of the first to provide online [6] residential home loans. [1] [15] In 2008, he founded Paramount Solar, a subsidiary of Paramount Equity Mortgage, and became CEO. [1] In 2024, GoodLeap, announced that it had financed more than $20 billion in sustainable home-improvement loans, highlighting the company's ongoing growth in the clean-energy sector. [16]

In 2011, Guthy-Renker became an investor and business partner assisting in the growth of Paramount Equity Mortgage and Paramount Solar. [15] Barnard and Guthy-Renker also partnered with SolarCity. [13] In 2013, Paramount Solar was acquired by SolarCity for $120 million [13] [17] and Barnard became SolarCity's Chief Revenue Officer. [18] [3] As Chief Revenue Officer, he managed a team of 8,000. [19] He was also responsible for the company's growth and grew megawatts installed 300% from 2013 to 2015. [13] [20]

In 2014, Barnard founded GivePower [3] while at SolarCity. [3] GivePower is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization [21] that develops clean water and energy systems in underserved communities in developing countries. [22] [23] GivePower has developed water and energy systems in 17 countries, [22] including communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. [18] [3] In 2018, Barnard's non-profit organization built a solar-powered desalination system in Kiunga, Kenya that produces 19,800 gallons of fresh drinking water a day. [22] [24] The organization also assisted the Sioux Nation in North Dakota in developing a 300-kilowatt solar farm in North Dakota, the first solar farm in the state. [3] [25]

In 2016, Barnard left SolarCity and took on the role of chairman and CEO of Loanpal, a financial technology platform that provides financing for clean energy products. [1] [26] [27]

In 2020, Barnard started an asset management fund, GoodFinch. [2]

In 2021, Loanpal rebranded to GoodLeap, [28] "good for life, earth and prosperity." [6]

Historical Reception of Solar Financing

When Barnard started GoodLeap, there was a lot of doubt from early investors and folks in the industry about his clean energy financing idea. Part of that came from worries over whether regular people would go for big financing plans just to get solar tech set up. Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson covered this in 2023. Even with all those questions hanging around, GoodLeap saw quick uptake from users. Over time, it grew into one of the biggest platforms for financing home solar setups across the United States. Edgecliffe-Johnson noted that in 2023 as well. The way the model spread out ended up making solar loans seem more normal. It also boosted how fintech plays into renewable energy areas. [29]

Leadership Philosophy Section Addition

Barnard’s leadership style has been described as purpose-driven, emphasizing long-term environmental and social impact over short-term financial outcomes (Novak Leadership Institute, n.d.). According to interviews conducted by the University of Missouri’s [30] Novak Leadership Institute, Barnard attributes his approach to early personal challenges and a belief that business should serve a broader mission beyond profit (Novak Leadership Institute, n.d.). His leadership framework regularly highlights sustainability, mission alignment, and empowerment-based organizational culture. [31]

Personal life

Barnard lives in Austin, [4] Texas with his wife and three children. [32]

In October 2022, Barnard ranked #271 on the Forbes 400 list with an estimated net worth of $4 billion. [6] Forbes also awarded Barnard a self-made score of 10 out of 10, a score received by 28 out of the 400 list members. [33] [34]

In 2021, the USC Marshall School of Business established the Hayes Barnard Sustainability Fellowship, an initiative designed to support MBA students dedicated to sustainable business practices. Funded by Barnard, the fellowship provides financial assistance to students pursuing sustainability-focused projects and research. [35]

In May 2023, Barnard delivered the keynote address at the 140th commencement of the University of Texas at Austin. [36] [37]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Pyper, Julia (2019-04-22). "Loanpal Rockets to Second-Largest Solar Loan Provider in the US". www.greentechmedia.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  2. 1 2 Levy, Ari (2021-01-27). "Exec who quit SolarCity now runs the leading lender for solar installations". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 DeBord, Matthew (2019-07-23). "This former SolarCity exec is trying to reinvent 2 parts of the solar business". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  4. 1 2 Driebusch, Matt Wirz and Corrie (2021-10-13). "Tech Moguls Back GoodLeap's Green Housing Push With $12 Billion Valuation". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660.
  5. 1 2 "Hayes Barnard". LinkedIn .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Ponciano, Jonathan (28 September 2022). "Inside One Billionaire's Plan To Bring Solar Power To Every Homeowner". Forbes.
  7. ↑ "Business". University of Missouri Academic Catalog. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  8. ↑ "Hayes Barnard on Leading with Purpose | Novak Leadership Institute". novakleadership.missouri.edu. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  9. ↑ "Home". GoodLeap. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  10. ↑ "Billionaire Lifestyles, Celebrity News & Global Luxury Trends | RedCarpetLife". www.redcarpetlife.in. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  11. ↑ "Join the Charge – Join the Charge". givepower.org. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  12. ↑ "Hayes Barnard - Biography, Net Worth & Profile | RedCarpetLife". www.redcarpetlife.in. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Levine, David. "Generating Business: How I Discovered The Social Side Of Sales". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  14. ↑ "Tesla's solar retreat provides opening for Loanpal's return". Asset Securitization Report. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  15. 1 2 "California Lender Paramount Equity Pairs with Infomercial Creator Guthy-Renker". American Banker. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  16. ↑ "GoodLeap | Company Overview & News". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  17. ↑ "Top Execs of 2013: Hayes Barnard". Sacramento Business Journal. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  18. 1 2 Wang, Ucilia. "SolarCity Buys Paramount Solar To Boost Homeowner Outreach". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  19. ↑ "This Lender Has Quickly Become the Leader in Solar Finance". Lend Academy. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  20. ↑ "SolarCity Form 10-K 2015". SEC. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  21. ↑ "How This Foundation is Bringing Power to the People". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  22. 1 2 3 "Solar-power desalination produces 20,000 gallons of fresh water each day • Earth.com". Earth.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  23. ↑ "Spaceship-Like Tesla Powerwall Setup Produces 50K Liters of Water a Day". Inverse. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  24. ↑ "A solar-powered system can turn salt water into fresh drinking water". ICAST. 2019-09-06.
  25. ↑ "Solar Power Comes To Standing Rock Reservation". CleanTechnica. 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  26. ↑ "Dividend Finance Enters Solar Loan Partnership With KeyBank". Greentech Media. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  27. ↑ "The 3 Huge Trends Driving the Imminent Solar Energy Revolution". Inverse. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  28. ↑ Anderson, Mark (2 June 2021). "Loanpal rebrands to GoodLeap as it expands offerings". Sacramento Business Journal.
  29. ↑ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  30. ↑ "Homepage | Mizzou". missouri.edu. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  31. ↑ "Mizzou Hall of Fame honors alumni excellence". President Choi's Blog. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  32. ↑ Levy, Ari (2021-01-27). "Exec who quit SolarCity now runs the leading lender for solar installations". CNBC.
  33. ↑ "Profile-Hayes Barnard". Forbes. 20 October 2022.
  34. ↑ Ponciano, Jonathan (8 September 2020). "The Forbes 400 Self-Made Score: From Silver Spooners To Bootstrappers". Forbes.
  35. ↑ Bleizeffer, Kristy (March 22, 2024). "The P&Q Interview: Geoffrey Garrett On Making USC Marshall An Energy Transition Leader". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  36. ↑ Menchaca, Megan (7 May 2023). "'A very emotional time:' University of Texas graduates celebrate 2023 commencement". Austin American-Statesman.
  37. ↑ "Hayes Barnard Delivers Commencement Address at The University of Texas at Austin". University of Texas at Austin. 6 May 2023.

Edgecliffe-Johnson, A. (2023, June 10). Fintech founder Hayes Barnard: Half the organisation thought 'this guy’s out of his mind'. *Financial Times.* https://www.ft.com/content/1bb5ba07-96dc-45c3-837d-751f9321be8a

Novak Leadership Institute. (n.d.). *Hayes Barnard: Leading with purpose.* University of Missouri. https://novakleadership.missouri.edu/resources/hayes-barnard-leading-purpose

RedCarpetLife. (n.d.). *Hayes Barnard – Biography, net worth & profile.* https://www.redcarpetlife.in/billionaires/profile/hayes-barnard.html

University of Missouri. (2024, October 22). *Mizzou Hall of Fame honors alumni excellence* [Blog post]. https://president.missouri.edu/blog/2024/10/22/mizzou-hall-of-fame-honors-alumni-excellence/

University of Missouri Business School. (2024, October 11). *Announcing the 2024 Mizzou Hall of Fame inductees.* https://business.missouri.edu/about/news/announcing-2024-mizzou-hall-fame-inductees

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