Incompetent and Toxic Leadership - Anonymous employee Deriva Energy Employee Review

1.0
23 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

High-profile-looking office with free snacks

Cons

I was a legacy Duke Energy Renewables employee before it was sold to Brookfield and became Deriva Energy. In the two and a half years I spent at Deriva, I witnessed incompetency and toxicity on a level I wasn't aware was possible. Deriva Energy is not an energy company. It is a private equity firm. And, I mean that as the pejorative that it is. The aim, the vision of the company by my account seems to be a race to the bottom. What's the least we can invest in our people, in our infrastructure? What's the worst treatment that they'll tolerate? How many can we afford to watch walk out the door? I saw play out across multiple teams leadership setting unrealistic goals, burning out their talent until they left, and refusing to backfill them until work eventually ground to a halt. Over the course of 6 months, everyone in the org chart between myself and the CEO turned over. I witnessed a director undermine and sabotage the work of the managers beneath them to the point where all of their direct reports quit and an entire department was left without leadership. Executive-level management saw this and refused to step in. I refuse to believe anyone in C-suite cares. I think that's enough to paint a picture of the culture and state of Deriva Energy. If you're considering applying, please do yourself a favor and exhaust all other options before accepting a position here.

Explore other reviews about Deriva Energy

5.0
13 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Company gives you opportunity to step up outside of your role (if wanted) - strategic environment with collaborative environment - ability to shape culture - Legacy utility mindset finally being removed, replaced with high performers that are looking to operated in a Private Equity structure

Cons

- Legacy mindset from prior Utility ownership - IT Group could use improvement

1.0
13 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people. Even if what bonds you is a shared experience of the dysfunction, workplace trauma and 12 hour days

Cons

The "we're not Duke anymore" message gets repeated constantly, but a lot of people have already gone back to Duke, which tells you something. They talk a big game about engagement and even sent out a "great place to work" survey. Meanwhile the CEO would rather be fishing. My favorite was the Spectrum Center tickets "benefit," but process to actually get them was laughable, and tickets aren't a benefit. Decisions get made informally in a C-suite group text that has nothing to do with the business. Senior hires reflect who leadership knows, not who's qualified, and when those hires feel threatened, it shows and isn't lost on anyone. Brookfield's intent to sell has been acknowledged internally. The rebranding and website refresh are part of getting the company ready. It may not change your decision, but it's worth factoring in before you accept. They bank on candidates being desperate enough to accept the offer and overlook the rest. If you have other options, take them seriously.

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