Built to Get Better: How the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) Invests in its People
At the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF), doing business the right way starts from within— and it involves supporting its employees every single day.
Since opening its doors in 2018, NEIF has not only been able to advance its mission of making energy efficiency more affordable, but has also grown its team in meaningful ways to match that impact.
The same focus on people led to the creation of a dedicated human resources department in 2024, starting with the hiring of Jennifer Tornetta as HR Business Partner.
“What initially drove me to NEIF was the organization’s mission and how clearly that mission shows up in the way people are treated internally,” said Tornetta. “NEIF’s commitment to impact, accountability, and doing the right thing — both internally and externally — really aligned with how I believe HR should function.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University in 2018 with a focus in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a minor in Leadership Studies, Tornetta built a career centered on people.
With eight years of HR and recruiting experience across mission-driven healthcare and sales organizations, she has consistently sought roles that align with her passion for helping individuals thrive. Her dedication to professional growth — including her Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification and participation in HR conferences and industry events— reflects her commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.
“When people flourish, the whole organization succeeds,” she said.
Building With Purpose
After joining the team, Tornetta recognized early on that there was a real opportunity to build on and grow NEIF’s existing HR processes and systems.
From strengthening benefits to creating more consistency for employees across NEIF’s office locations and roles, she explained that the main goals has always been to ensure that as the organization grows, its HR practices evolve alongside it.
What has that looked like over time?
“Continuously evaluating and evolving benefits sends a clear message that the organization is listening and adapting to the needs of its people,” Tornetta said.
In fact, research suggests that the employee experience is “essential, yet underdeveloped” in the workplace today.
At the start of 2026, NEIF rolled out a handful of new benefits for its employees, including:
- Additional paid, wellness time off— supporting appointments and prioritizing employee mental health
- Revised parental leave policy— increasing paid time off for new parents
- Improved annual review process— establishing goal setting process and opportunities for professional growth
- Paid time off balance carryover— allowing employees to carry PTO balance into subsequent calendar year(s)
NEIF announced that it was also continue its employee-favorite “Summer Fridays” program this year, offering a rotating schedule of half-days through the summer months.
Growing Stronger From Within
Strong values require a strong a team.
NEIF wears its B Corp Certification™ as a badge of honor— and the internal investments made in its team members reflect just a few of the principles upheld by the global B Corp™ community.
The certification is awarded by the nonprofit network, B Lab, and recognizes companies that meet verified standards of social and environmental business practices. NEIF first became designated as a B Corp in 2019, successfully completed its re-certification in 2023, and is expecting to begin the process again later this year.
“When employees feel genuinely supported and valued, they’re more engaged, invested, and more likely to do their best work,” shared Tornetta. “From an HR perspective, it’s not just about retention— it’s about trust, morale, and creating an environment where people feel respected as individuals.”
Celebrating B Corp Month
In the B Corp community, each March is recognized as B Corp Month, allowing businesses from all over the globe to raise awareness for the good, ethical work that B Corps put into practice every single day.
This year’s theme, A Simple Symbol, A Powerful Signal, encourages B Corps to explore the greater meaning behind the “B” symbol— and the greater community that it takes to make real impact and initiate real change.
At NEIF, B Corp values go beyond the certification, but share daily operations and start with how its team members and supported and valued at every level.
“When employees know their well-being matters, it creates a stronger, healthier organization overall.”
SOURCES: B Lab, McKinsey & Company