Meet our Accomplished 2023 Mentors!

Maija Benjamins

Director of Strategic Project Development, Eversource [MA – Westwood, Lexington]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: As the Director of Strategic Project Development at Eversource, Maija Benjamins leverages her extensive leadership experience guiding the full development of complex, strategic solutions in the electrical transmission and generation field for utilities nationwide, including Off Shore Wind. Her focus is on innovative clean energy solutions that support nation wide clean energy goals, such as the Greater Cambridge Energy Program. Maija began her career in the utility industry in California after completing her MS in Ecology. Her most notable accomplishment for Southern California Edison included the siting, permitting and construction one of the largest wind and solar interconnection projects in the West, the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP). This critical project connected the southern California area to over 4500 MW of renewable power generation to meet state requirements. As a part of the Eversource Team, Maija has managed the siting of Eversource’s most complex projects. She brought leadership and vision to developing a strategic approach for Eversource’s Wind Program as the Manager of Siting for the Off Shore Wind Projects for New England, bringing over 4,000 MW of clean energy to New England.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: As a woman in the energy world, I’ve had to develop skills to work successfully in a male dominated industry while developing and embracing my leadership style. I’ve had to learn to not apologize for myself and embrace the space at the table I have earned. Starting out as a scientist, I had to learn how to communicate and build partnerships to be successful. Relationships are key to success of your own career and the business you are working in. My super power is development of partnerships to accomplish mutual and substantial goals.

Marie Berninger

Director of Business Development, Con Edison Transmission [MA – Westborough]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Marie Berninger is Director of Business Development at Con Edison Transmission and leads market development, origination, and partnerships in electric transmission. Ms. Berninger previously served as director, Utility of the Future, where she led various initiatives to drive the clean energy transition. She has extensive experience in wholesale markets, federal and state energy policy, clean energy technology, and transmission development. She was a core member of the team that established New York Transco and its original portfolio of projects. She also previously served as director, Business Development at the New York Power Authority where she was responsible for pursuing opportunities in large-scale renewables, transmission, and utility-scale storage. As an engineer early in her career, Ms. Berninger worked on developing innovative designs and demonstrating new technology on the electric system in New York City. Ms. Berninger joined Con Edison in 2006. Ms. Berninger holds a master’s degree in business administration from New York University Stern School of Business and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lafayette College. She and her husband have three young boys.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: New initiatives, difficult business negotiations, full time mom and professional (plus child with special needs)

Sarah Blanford

Deputy Program Director, United States Energy Association [NY – Albany]

Professional Skills: Project management

Bio: Sarah M. Blanford serves as a Deputy Program Director for USEA’s Energy Utility Partnership Program, which promotes best practices, regulatory reform and private sector solutions to solving energy problems in developing countries. Ms. Blanford has worked at USEA since 2001, bringing together stakeholders to address critical issues in the areas of energy markets, cross-border electricity trade, and renewable energy integration. Since 2005, her focus has been on USAID-funded assistance projects for South Asian utilities, regulatory and government agencies. She is currently involved in several USAID-funded projects, including the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration, the U.S.-Asia Gas Partnership, the South Asia Regional Energy Hub, and the USEA’s bilateral program with Kenya’s power sector. Prior to her current work, Ms. Blanford organized USEA’s activities with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Trade & Development Agency, the International Energy Agency, and the World Energy Council. During her tenure, Ms. Blanford has contributed her expertise in energy sector reform to the Energy Partnership Program and other USEA activities. Ms. Blanford holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a certification in Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor of Science from the College of Wooster.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: International development work

Laurel Boivin

Life & Leadership Coach, Flux+Flow Professional Coaching [NH – Concord]

Professional Skills: Project management, leadership, public speaking, communications, community relations, government relations, networking, environmental compliance and permits.

Bio: Laurel Boivin, life coach and founder of Flux+Flow Professional Coaching, helps high-performing professionals overcome overwhelm and disillusionment by increasing self-awareness and shifting perspective to improve performance, increase personal contribution, and experience a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose. Laurel began coaching after a 30-year corporate career in the energy and environmental sectors.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Working in predominantly male workplaces offered so many opportunities to learn and grow, and to overcome challenges including overcoming differences in communication and leadership styles and advocating/negotiating for myself and others.

Martha Broad

Executive Director, MIT Energy Initiative [MA – Cambridge, Bolton]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Executive leader with extensive experience managing organizations to promote sustainability and mitigate climate change. At MIT Energy Initative, lead staff to support dynamic and growing hub for research, education and outreach to address the major energy and climate challenges facing society. Responsibilities include daily collaboration with private, public and philanthropic stakeholders supporting innovative research, programs to educate the next generation of leaders and publication of analyses to inform policymakers on complex issues.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Being the only woman on an executive team. Actively listening and having my voice heard. Proving my worth as an MBA/experienced manager in a world of PhDs.

Lauren Brown

Managing Consultant, Ramboll [ME – Portland]

Professional Skills: IT and technology

Bio: Lauren Brown, MS, has twelve years of experience in environmental consulting, with an emphasis on sediment biogeochemistry. As a managing consultant at Ramboll, Lauren has worked on a diverse portfolio of projects, contributing to database development and management, data analysis and visualization, R code development, custom web application design, development, and testing, quality assurance/quality control, statistical analyses, chemical forensics, sediment remedy evaluations, ecological risk assessments, health sciences modeling, and execution of field sampling programs.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My top superpowers are my technical skills (e.g., data management/analysis and programming) and being able to apply them to different disciplines across geographies in my company.

Kathryn Cox-Arslan

Director of Transmission Policy & Strategy, New Leaf Energy [MA – Lowell, Framingham]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Kat is the Director of Transmission Policy & Strategy at New Leaf Energy – a solar and storage developer specializing in distribution generation and utility scale projects across the United States. Kat has spent her career working in both the regulated utility and renewable development sectors advocating for improved interconnection processes and policies that enable and unlock renewable energy development. Kat is a member of many renewable trade organizations and a board member of the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (“SEBANE”). Kat is also an appointed member of the Grid Modernization Advisory Council – a first-of-its-kind advisory council established to create long-term plans to interconnect clean resources and serve customer needs in Massachusetts.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Working in a technical area as a non-technical SME, transitioning from utility to commercial/private industry. Networking, building coalitions, translating technical jargon.

Karen Coyne

Sustainability Advisor, Terrascope [MA – Concord, MA – Nantucket]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Karen Coyne is an executive business leader uniquely positioned at the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and risk management on a global scale. Throughout her extensive career, Karen has been a catalyst for change across startup, nonprofit, and Fortune 200 organizations in life sciences, energy, manufacturing, industrial, research, and consulting services. Her functional expertise has accelerated the impact and value of ESG in complex business environments. As a globally experienced leader, her international work spans mission-critical assignments in Switzerland, China, Singapore, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany.

Currently serving as U.S. vice president and executive committee member at WomenExecs on Boards, Karen partners with prominent industry speakers and practitioners to convey the importance of ESG across different sectors. She joined WomenExecs on Boards, whose members hold C-suite or C-1 positions, after completing the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program, Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director. Before joining WomenExecs on Boards, Karen held several positions at Novartis AG. As Vice President & Global Head of Environment, she crafted the company’s global environment and sustainability strategy across climate, water, materials, waste, and supply chain. The future-focused strategy designed with partners such as MIT and the World Business Council became a positive catalyst for change. Karen was recently appointed as Sustainability Advisor for the Sustainability Advisory Council of Terrascope, Pte. Ltd. located in Singapore, and is a member of the Executive Committee of WomenExecs on Boards. Some of her previous governance roles include President of the Board of The Auditing Roundtable, Chairperson and Board Member of the Board of Directors of BRIDGES to Sustainability Institute, and External Advisory Board Member of the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI).

A speaker on environmental sustainability issues, Karen is also the author of multiple articles and a book chapter. She is a founding member of Extraordinary Women on Boards and a member of the Competent Boards Alumni & Faculty Network, Eleven Canterbury, New England Women in Energy and the Environment, and The Boston Club among many other organizations. Karen earned her Master of Science in natural and environmental resources specializing in resource administration and management from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH and her Bachelor of Science in marine fisheries biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She holds the ESG Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D) and Certificate and is also a Certified Professional Environmental Auditor.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: As a sustainability professional, the career path is definitely not well defined! As a result, I’ve had to develop skills in stakeholder engagement, cross-sector collaboration, communication, persuasion, etc. to name a few. I’ve also learned to bridge the gap between science/sustainability and business, as well as take risks/stretch myself beyond my comfort zone.

Kristin DeSousa

VP Customer Services RI, RI Energy a PPL Company [RI – Providence, MA – Milford]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Kristin leads the RI Customer Team that is responsible for delivering an exceptional customer experience for our Rhode Island customers. Kristin joined National Grid in 2000, and prior to her current role, she was responsible for NE Operations Support and also held a variety of operational and financial roles in the US Electric & Gas business, Massachusetts Jurisdiction, Customer Delivery, Finance, and Executive Operations. Before beginning her 22-year career with National Grid, Kristin spent 10 years at Bay State Gas Company in a variety of roles within the Finance Organization.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: I started as an accounting clerk 30+ years ago in a smaller gas company. I completed my bachelor’s degree nights while working full-time and raising a family. I have a passion for leadership and developing people.

Kristin Dupre

VP Strategy and Development, Abode Energy Management [MA – Cape Cod, RI – Providence, MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Bringing over a decade of experience building and managing energy efficiency, demand response, and electric vehicle programs, Kristin is focused on developing new programs for Abode. With the broader lens of decarbonization, she is building the resources and partnerships that will allow Abode to provide impactful services as we focus on decarbonization. Kristin has a BS from Bentley in Finance and an MBA with a concentration in Sustainability from Clark. She lives on Cape Cod where she spends as much time as possible at the beach walking her dog, paddle boarding, kayaking, and soaking up the sun.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Juggling children/work/grad school; fighting for recognition, confidence in ability

Lily Elmore

Contract Specialist, Vineyard Wind [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Communications and marketing

Bio: We are all just figuring out this new frontier here in America in the offshore wind world, and I am no exception. I grew up in the south where oil and gas is prominent and seeing a large scale commercial wind or solar farm is rare.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: I had to drop out of law school after thinking it would be my only ticket into the energy world. After earning a masters degree during the pandemic, I landed a job at VW by just applying and putting my true self out there for the interview. My superpower is learning how to not let my mind get in the way of what I want to do.

Emily Felt

Senior Consultant, United States Department of Energy Loan Programs Office [ME – Bar Harbor]

Professional Skills: Clean energy regulation and policy

Bio: Emily Felt is a senior consultant to the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, where she co-leads the Office’s outreach to offshore wind industry participants seeking financing for major projects. The Loan Programs provides low-cost, long-term debt financing to a variety of qualified clean energy projects. Prior to her role at DOE, she held multiple leadership positions at multi-state utility Duke Energy, most recently as director of corporate strategy and intelligence, director of federal policy, and as director of renewable strategy. Emily holds degrees from Stanford University and the Kennedy School at Harvard University. Emily resides in Mount Desert, Maine.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: ALWAYS BE LEARNING. As someone who’s been doing renewable energy strategy in some form or another for 15 years, I must often be “a mile wide and an inch deep” to do my job. I must also have a firm grasp of what I know and don’t know. To execute on strategy, I must be able to convince others. To be successful, I am constantly seeking, absorbing, and making sense of information. At least once a week, for example, I try to read technical documents that I do not fully understand – about distribution planning, endangered species interactions with equipment, virtual power plant software, capacity market design, cost of capital, IRS guidelines for tax credits, etc. As a result, I have a profound appreciation for the complexity of the energy transition. I am also able to relate to / converse with technical experts in different areas of the industry because I am current on the challenges.

Laurie Finne

Vice President of Operations, Sagewell, Inc. [MA – Woburn]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Laurie Finne is Vice President of Operations at Sagewell, Inc. Laurie has over 10 years of experience working in public and private sectors supporting and analyzing energy efficiency programs. Laurie holds a B.A. in Geography from Framingham State College and a M.A. in Environmental Science & Policy from Clark University.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Learning differences in how men vs women tend to communicate and becoming more assertive has been helpful working with primarily men. Being able to juggle a bunch of different tasks and priorities (similar to what is done at home) is probably my top superpower.

Catherine Finneran

Vice President, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Eversource [MA – metrowest]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: My 25+ years in the energy and environmental fields has spanned public and private sectors. I spent 15 years working for the MassDEP, first as state Brownfields Coordinator then moving to Clean Energy Director in the Commissioner’s Office across all bureaus. As Senior Director at MA Clean Energy Center I led clean energy deployment incentive programs to help grow the renewables market in the state. For the past 8 years I have served in leadership roles at Eversource Energy where I manage a large team focused on driving our performance and leadership in sustainability, climate, environmental compliance and stewardship. This work includes permitting infrastructure projects, as well as renewable energy siting (including offshore wind).

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Having confidence in yourself, and knowing your perspective and voice is important (no matter what the situation or who is in the room), are things I have learned are critically important over my career.

Lisa Frantzis

Partner, Guidehouse [MA – Boston, Cambridge, NH – Peterborough, CT – Middlebury]

Professional Skills: Clean Energy Consulting

Bio: Lisa Frantzis is a partner in Guidehouse’s Energy, Sustainability and Infrastructure segment, responsible for decarbonization go to market initiatives such as clean hydrogen, e-mobility, and renewable energy solutions. Throughout her 40 years of consulting experience, she has determined clean energy integration options for utility companies; identified energy program options for international government agencies; developed business strategies for clean energy manufacturers; and conducted due diligence for financial firms considering clean energy investments. She recently led Guidehouse’s Hydrogen Consortium, Building the Clean Hydrogen Economy with 22 companies working together to create and launch innovative pilot projects/hubs that use clean hydrogen to decarbonize heavy transport, increase renewables integration, and decrease emissions in the U.S. energy sector. She also recently worked with a major automotive OEM on their clean energy strategy.

Lisa was a senior managing director at Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) from 2013 – 2022, a national business association whose mission is to transform state and Federal policy to ensure a more secure, clean, and affordable U.S. energy system. At AEE, she led the Utility Advisory Committee and CEO/Executive Forums that addressed business model reforms and regulatory changes needed to accelerate the transition to a 21st century energy and transportation system. These initiatives convened utility executives, public utility commissioners, and advanced energy companies to develop a vision for reform that is responsive to the needs of each state and drives concrete action.

Lisa was appointed to the Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee in 2021 and is an Emeritus Ambassador for the U.S. Clean Energy, Education & Empowerment (C3E). She was given the New England Women in Energy and the Environment Leadership Award in 2019 and serves on the Boards for the Northeast Clean Energy Council, LineVision and CMC Energy Services, Inc. She is a former Board member for the American Council on Renewable Energy; Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA); and Solar Business Association of New England.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Becoming a leader in the energy field where there were very few women in leadership positions in my earlier consulting years e.g. I had no women mentors!

Cindy Gage

Vice President of Client Strategy, C+C [MA – Framingham, Boston]

Professional Skills: Communications and marketing

Bio: Cindy Gage is Vice President of Client Strategy at C+C, a social good marketing firm, and serves as Board member and Marketing Chair for NEWIEE. Her background encompasses 30 years of marketing and communications on behalf of some of America’s leading brands, including McDonald’s, Oral-B, Gillette, Duracell, and Georgia Pacific. But one assignment with U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program marked a turning point from “selling stuff” to “doing good.” Over the last 20 years, she has led strategic communications and branding initiatives for leaders in the clean energy and sustainability sector, including US EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, US DOE’s Better Plants program, Ameresco, Kwik Lok, Mass Save, Connecticut Green Bank, NEWIEE and more. A true omni-channel marketer, Cindy enjoys diving deep into client challenges and devising new ways to connect the dots between people and ideas to drive behavior change. From branding initiatives to lead generation, retail activation to public service campaigns, social media initiatives to media partnerships, she is an expert at leveraging every touch point to engage brands with people and inspire action.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My ability to see the opportunities within the challenges.

Michelle Gardner

Energy Data Analyst, PowerOptions [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Project management

Bio: I currently work at PowerOptions as an Energy Data Analyst where I provide a diverse set of skills in energy data analysis. I am a Certified Energy Manager through the AEE and am a “Third Party Verifier” as part of Boston’s BERDO regulatory process, supporting nearly thirty PowerOptions Members with data reporting and verification in Portfolio Manager. I am the primary coordinator of PowerOptions’ data platform, which is used for utility data reporting and compliance. I also conduct budgeting analyses for our Members, maintain all of PowerOptions’ energy databases, and provide a variety of advisory services to our Members through our Energy, Sustainability and Analytics Program.

I formerly worked for the City of Cambridge as a Sustainability Data Analyst. The primary mission of my work was to support the City’s Net Zero Action Plan by meeting energy, greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals through accurate planning, reporting and tracking. I also previously worked as a Microbiologist at Harvard, where I aided in the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis treatments and detection methods. I developed an affinity for performing technical analysis, modeling, and data management in order to understand the large amounts of data produced through experiments and studies. I hold a Master’s degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Throughout my professional career, I have overcome several challenges! My career change was my biggest hurdle, but with perseverance and help from mentors, I’m now pursuing a career I am extremely proud and passionate about. My superpower as a woman in energy would have to be my ability to multitask! Aiding in the creation of a new program requires attention to detail and the ability to do many things at once.

Kate B. Grant

Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Rhode Island Energy [RI – Providence]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Kate is currently the Sr Manager of Regulatory Affairs for Rhode Island Energy where she is charged with developing the strategy for and leading engagement with key external stakeholders in line with the Company’s vision and goals. Her current areas of focus include leading stakeholder engagement and advising leadership on key priorities inclusive of AMI and grid modernization efforts, customer assistance initiatives responsive to current rate pressures as well as demand side initiatives in part via a Governor appointed role on Rhode Island’s Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council. She also facilitates resolution of escalated issues and serves as a key liaison to state agencies during blue sky and emergency events.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: When I first started working in the utility industry, it was tough to prove that a younger woman could take on a lead role on high priority, high visibility issues. I learned how to navigate and persevere empowered by strong mentors and relationships.

Crystal Johnson

Founder/Sr. Strategic Energy Consultant/Sr. Env Planner, Integrative Sustainability & Environmental Solutions (ISES) [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Astute Senior Energy Consultant and Senior Environmental Planner with more than twenty-five years of accomplishments in strategic planning, management, engagement, policy, assessment, and research. Focuses on energy equity, clean energy workforce development, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, and climate action planning. Strategic leadership experience in planning, implementing, and managing progressive programs and designing impactful engagement strategies that are creative, integrative, collaborative, and comprehensive. Focuses on developing high-profile and critical environmental and social impact projects that are innovative and precedent-setting. Crystal’s creative and critical thinking skills, coupled with her excellent communication skills, assist her in cultivating impactful strategies. A solid record of engagement, innovative thinking, and achievements.

Awards and Recognitions: Sustainability and Energy Strategist Award, UIPTW, United Nations; Boston Business Journal Emerging Leader – Sustainability; Boston & Vicinity Club – Business Award; YWCA Academy of Women Achievers; Boston Exhale Magazine Cover Model/Story – Environmental Leadership

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: One of my top superpowers is knowing that all current environmental, economic, and social issues are due to a lack of diversity at the table. I value my expertise and experience and know that my voice/ideas/solutions change the trajectory. I have frequently been the only BIPOC or woman on a team of all white males. I navigated around many barriers, including those in my mind.

Nancy Kaplan

Assistant General Counsel, Sustainability, Environmental & Real Estate, Eversource Energy [NH – Manchester, MA – Westwood, Newburyport]

Professional Skills: Legal and policy

Bio: I am an environmental attorney, author, and an inclusive leader in the environmental field. I am passionate about DEI and am on the Equity Governance Committee for my company. I have raised three children while advancing my career and continue to run environmental trainings and educational programs both within and outside of Eversource. My combined 30+ years of experience in private sector, government, non-profit, and academia, are demonstrative of my passion for environmental stewardship, halting climate change, and driving sustainable, equitable energy.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Some of the challenges I have overcome early on in my career related to 1) balancing my life as a mother of three while advancing my career and becoming a leader in my field; and 2) being a woman in what was previously a male-dominated field, where I was often talked-over at meetings. I learned to speak effectively and lead in a way that made others listen and gain confidence in my strategy. My superpowers include being an effective and inclusive communicator, listener and leader; a creative and strategic complex problem-solver; and a human who is passionate about continued personal growth and work-life balance.

Michele Leone

Vice President of Gas, Rhode Island Energy [RI – Providence, MA – Boston, Worcester]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Michele is the Vice President of Gas for Rhode Island Energy, the primary electric and gas service provider in Rhode Island. She is responsible for the safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of Rhode Island’s natural gas distribution system. She oversees natural gas supply procurement, gas control, resource and investment planning, gas asset management and engineering, and operation of the gas distribution system and RI’s liquified natural gas facilities. Michele has 22 years of experience in the New England utility business, holding various leadership roles on gas, electric, environmental and sustainability teams. Michele holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Refusing to believe the naysayers. Throughout my career journey there have been people that have – either purposely or inadvertently – tried to hold me back as I have navigated various roles. I mentor to help others have someone in the corner as they go through similar situations.

Chrissy Maddalo

Marketing Director, Daymark Energy Advisors [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Communications and marketing

Bio: Hi there! I’m Chrissy and I’m the Marketing Director at Daymark Energy Advisors. Daymark is focused on helping clients navigate a rapidly changing industry and make the best possible decisions on their path to decarbonization. We do that by applying our deep knowledge and integrated view of energy infrastructure, regulation, and markets. I’ve spent my career in consulting, first working on projects like organizational reviews and renewable energy procurements for utilities. Now I lead Daymark’s marketing function, guiding how we show up in the industry and paying attention to what our clients need now and what they’ll need next.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower is making visuals – I love creating pictures to communicate complex data or multi-step processes, and energy/environment has a lot of opportunities for this. Challenges I’ve overcome include finding and maintaining a work-life balance that is healthy for me and making sure that evolves with me as I grow.

Nina Peluso

Policy Advisor, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy [VT – Quechee]

Professional Skills: Policy

Bio: Nina is a Policy Advisor in the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) at the Department of Energy focused on building a more resilient and reliable clean energy future. At GDO, Nina advises the Director on policy across all programs for existing zero-carbon resources, transmission development, territory assistance, and grid resilience and modernization. She also leads GDO energy and environmental justice efforts, including Justice40 implementation. Nina is a skilled policy advisor and energy systems modeler and previously worked at Form Energy, Synapse Energy Economics, ICF, and DTE Energy on a wide range of energy topics. Her work has been cited in the New York Times, Forbes, Utility Dive, PV Magazine, and RTO Insider, among others.

Nina earned her MS in Technology & Policy from MIT and BA in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. She recently moved from Boston to Quechee, VT with her fiance to dig further into her Northern New England roots. In her free time, Nina reads (too much), knits (just enough), and plays music (not nearly enough). She is passionate about improving livelihoods and communities through innovative and compassionate energy policy.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower is focusing teams around the intention behind specific energy policies to determine optimal program and policy design. I believe that the teams we assemble and processes we put in place to implement energy policy are just as, if not more, important than the written policies themselves.

Maria Robinson

Director of the Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy [MA – Framingham, D.C.]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Maria Duaime Robinson is the first Director of the Grid Deployment Office, a newly created office in the U.S. Department of Energy. She leads the organization in transmission and distribution system reliability through federal funding, permitting, and modeling/planning efforts. She was the first Korean-American elected to the Massachusetts General Court, where she served in the House of Representatives from 2019-2022. While in office, she led the bicameral Clean Energy Caucus, was the Massachusetts state lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators where she also served on the board, and was the only state legislator on the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. She also served on faculty at Tufts University’s School of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, bringing her expertise in energy policy to graduate students.

Prior to her election in 2018, Maria led Advanced Energy Economy’s Wholesale Markets Program, including engagement at FERC and the regional transmission organizations. Previously, she focused on regulatory issues relating to energy and air, including a 27-state campaign with Governors’ offices, legislatures, and energy and environmental regulators. She also managed AEE’s report development and data-driven analysis at both the state and national level. She worked for Navigant Consulting in the renewable energy practice, supporting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in analyzing and procuring contractors for statewide renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Maria is a proud lifetime Girl Scout. She holds an S.B. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters of Jurisprudence in Energy Law from the University of Tulsa.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower is to sit in a room and act like I belong there, even if I’m the youngest/only woman/only person of color there.

Ana Rudico

Senior Director of Operations, LineVision [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: I am passionate about helping women succeed and take leadership roles. A generalist, I am mostly experienced in process improvement, growth and team development. Currently, I am part of the leadership team at LineVision, a grid enhancing technologies leader. At LineVision, I oversee product deployment, working with electric utilities globally. I have extensive experience in solar/wind development and grid optimization, with a focus on operational excellence.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Throughout my professional life, I had to switch careers and the industry, numerous times. I primarily worked in traditionally male dominated industries and roles. My superpowers are passion for what I do and grit.

Carissa Sedlacek

Director of Transmission Interconnections and Solutions, Eversource [CT – Hartford, MA – Belchertown]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Carissa is the Director of Transmission Interconnections and Solutions at Eversource. She has a key strategic role in the Transmission organization with the direction and oversight of all aspects of transmission interconnections, including implementing federal and state rules; negotiation with developers of wind, solar, storage and other resources; administering existing and new agreements, including financial and operational terms and conditions; and managing relationships with ISO-NE staff and third parties such as generators, utilities, public power and select large customers. Primarily, she is responsible for the early-stage development of grid solutions, including those emerging from competitive solicitations or investments to co-optimize clean energy upgrades and reliability needs. With more than 30 years of experience, Carissa is familiar with the New York and New England utility industry.

Before joining Eversource, Carissa was the Director, Planning Services at ISO New England, Inc. (ISO-NE) where she was responsible for the development of the New England Regional System Plan (RSP), Economic Studies, ten-year load forecast and Installed Capacity Requirements used in the multi-billion Forward Capacity Market (FCM). She managed long-term resource adequacy assessments, fuel diversity analyses, and resource mix evaluations to ensure reliability into the future. Between 2006 and 2019, she led the FCM qualification process with emphasis on the design and implementation of market rules for qualification of both new and existing generators and demand response resources. Her work on generator availability has been published in the IEEE Power Engineering Review. Prior to joining the ISO in 1999, Carissa worked at the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project, providing engineering support to ensure the 2,500 MW hydroelectric facility and its associated transmission system operated reliably. Carissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and Master of Business Administration from State University of New York at Buffalo.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Finding ways to gain respect and support from my peers has been especially helpful. There is nothing wrong about asking for help and I have been fortunate to find individuals at Eversource that see my vision and want to help me achieve it. Also, arranging for one-on-one meet & greet sessions with those I was going to be working with. This was extremely helpful is developing relationships and creating a personal connection as well. Another technique I found helpful was the use of video during Teams calls. I always have my video on, so others know me, recognize me. As the call progresses, I sometimes turn my video off but turn it back on for Q&As. I have found this helpful in creating an engaging atmosphere to promote collaboration.

Erin Smith

Principal Analyst, Sustainable Energy Advantage [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Project management

Bio: Erin has eight years of experience in the clean energy industry, with expertise in New England wholesale energy markets and clean energy policy; federal energy policy; energy innovation and technology road mapping; the funding ecosystem at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); and industrial decarbonization technologies including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and green hydrogen. At SEA, Erin tracks wholesale market and renewable energy policy developments across New England and New York and summarizes and analyzes them as part of SEA’s Eyes and Ears service. Erin also performs energy economic modeling to forecast renewable energy costs in the various RPS markets across the Northeast, and is a core member of SEA’s green hydrogen practice area. Prior to SEA, Erin worked to advance federal clean energy policy from at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a top think tank in Washington, D.C. Erin then worked as a graduate researcher at MIT where she analyzed and modeled the economics of CO2 transport and storage in global decarbonization pathways that include carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Public Speaking; Adaptive Leadership

Kelly Smith

Onshore Package Manager, SouthCoast Wind/Ocean Winds [MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Project management

Bio: I have been with Ocean Winds and SouthCoast Wind since September 2020, now serving in the role of onshore package manager. I received a master’s in offshore wind engineering from Tufts University, with a focus on transmission and grid interconnection in the U.S. northeast. Before pivoting to a career in offshore wind project development, I spent eight years as a water resources engineer and environmental consultant in the greater Boston area, working for a mix of energy and transportation clients. I have experience with project management, civil engineering, permitting/siting, and water resources modeling. I’m a registered professional civil engineer in Massachusetts, and I’ve served on NEWIEE’s Board since 2019.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: I love being a woman with an engineering background, and I value being able to communicate technical topics to non-technical audiences and connect team members across different disciplines. It’s a skill I continuously work to improve!

Rockie Soloman

Manager, Intelligent Automation, Eversource [CT – Hartford]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Rockie Solomon is the Manager of Enterprise Intelligent Automation at Eversource Energy. Rockie holds a bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems & Database Management and an MBA in Corporate Innovation. She has been with Eversource for 18 years and has deep utility industry expertise spanning billing, collections, customer and meter data management, regulatory processes/proceedings and SOX/audit compliance functions. Rockie has led Eversource’s business process AI and automation program from concept to institutionalization & delivering award-winning solutions and yielding improved customer and employee experiences and significant steady state financial value across the enterprise.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower is my resourcefulness and flexibility which enable me to effectively handle the variety of challenges encountered almost daily.

Ann Marie Toss

EVP, Community Solar, Solar Landscape [CT – Stamford]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Ann Marie is responsible for oversight of community solar subscriber acquisition and management at Solar Landscape, a solar project developer/owner/operator. She has over ten years of experience in the energy industry having primarily overseen residential customer operations for service providers operating in restructured markets across over a dozen states. Ann Marie earned two masters’ degrees from Yale University, including a sustainability-focused MBA.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower as a woman in energy/environment is managing and leading teams.

Joanna Troy

Director of Policy and Planning, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources [MA – Boston, Salem]

Professional Skills: Project management

Bio: Joanna Troy serves as the Director of Policy and Planning at MassDOER, supporting the Commonwealth through the development of electric distribution, transmission, transportation, and gas distribution policy. Joanna participates in state electric and gas regulatory proceedings, including coordinating the Commonwealth’s participation in clean energy and offshore wind procurements. To support policy work in these areas, Joanna has worked on multiple planning projects including the State of Charge energy storage study, the Comprehensive Energy Plan, and the Decarbonization Roadmap. She holds a Bachelors in Geological Science from Tufts University, a Masters in Earth Science from Lehigh University, and a JD from the University of Houston Law Center.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: The greatest challenge I faced developing my career was switching careers from hard science to policy, integrating my law degree with my MS. When I began my tenure at DOER, I did not have a background in electricity and had to learn almost everything on the job. I had the professional skills that made me successful but not the subject matter expertise.