Early Life
Michael Polsky was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States in 1976 with his wife and $500. He initially worked on power plant design in Chicago.
Rise to Success
In 1985, Polsky co-founded Indeck Energy Services, developing cogeneration projects. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1987. In 1991, he founded SkyGen Energy. Polsky sold SkyGen in 2000. In 2001, he founded Invenergy. Invenergy has become the largest privately held renewable energy company in North America.
Key Business Strategies
Polsky's success is attributed to his pragmatic and results-focused vision. Invenergy focuses on developing, building, owning, and operating power generation and energy storage projects, including wind, solar, and natural gas. His company has developed over 200 projects across four continents. Invenergy's key projects include long-distance transmission projects, such as Grain Belt Express.
Philanthropy
Polsky has shown a commitment to giving back. He has made contributions to education, entrepreneurship, climate and sustainability, healthcare, women's rights, immigration, veterans, and arts and culture. Notably, Polsky, along with his wife Tanya, donated $100 million to the World Resources Institute and the University of Chicago.