Early Life and Education
Hayes Barnard was born and raised in Creve Coeur, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. His upbringing by a single mother instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in management and marketing, laying the foundation for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Rise to Success
Barnard's career began in the tech industry, and he later moved into the mortgage lending business. In 2003, he founded Paramount Equity Mortgage, which was later renamed Loanpal and subsequently GoodLeap, a fintech company specializing in financing for sustainable home improvements. GoodLeap has since financed billions in sustainable home-improvement loans. In 2008, he founded Paramount Solar, a subsidiary of Paramount Equity Mortgage.
Key Business Strategies
Barnard's key business strategies revolve around innovation in financial technology and a commitment to sustainability. GoodLeap's point-of-sale app streamlines the process of obtaining loans for solar panels, energy-efficient upgrades, and other sustainable home improvements. This approach has made GoodLeap a leader in the fintech space, driving growth and customer adoption. Barnard also founded GivePower, a nonprofit that provides clean water and energy systems to underserved communities. GoodLeap was ranked #30 on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in the World list in 2022 and #10 on the Forbes Fintech 50 list the same year.
Philanthropy
Barnard's philanthropic efforts are primarily channeled through GivePower. The organization has implemented projects in 17 countries, focusing on clean water and energy solutions. A notable achievement is the solar-powered desalination system built in Kiunga, Kenya, producing thousands of gallons of fresh water daily. Additionally, GivePower has developed solar farms and other sustainable initiatives, touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need.
