Over her 20+ year career, Rebecca Foster has led the energy industry forward with a service-minded lens. From volunteering in the Peace Corps to inspiring program innovation at the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, and now as the CEO of VEIC, she continues to reshape how energy leaders approach our planet’s biggest climate challenges through thoughtful and equity-centered solutions that make sure the clean energy transition benefits as many people as possible. Highlights include:

• As Director of Efficiency Vermont, Rebecca ensured programs reached underserved residents, which resulted in Efficiency Vermont receiving the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award 8 years in a row.
• Taking the reins as CEO in 2020, Rebecca developed a comprehensive strategy to pivot VEIC’s metrics towards GHG emissions reduction and enhanced equity goals. This has resulted in expansion to 22 states.
• Under her leadership, The DC Sustainable Energy Utility’s Solar for All community solar program won a prestigious Sunny Award.

Lissette has, brick by brick, built a career in the energy space over two decades. She has excelled at mastering the details of the technical and financial aspects of utilities. Lissette is able to communicate with colleagues skillfully and thoughtfully at all levels of the business as well as, customers and stakeholders from a broad range of communities in Connecticut and beyond.

Lissette has taken the time not only to understand the particular position she holds, but to understand all areas of the company and who the subject-matter experts are. As a result, when situations occur or problems arise that Lissette or one of her colleagues may not be able to address themselves, she knows who to contact to make progress. Moreover, when that contact is made, the person receiving the outreach is willing to take the time to help because Lissette has consistently treated them with respect, no matter where they are in the organization, and taken the time to establish and nurture her relationship with them.

Lissette has experienced the business from many perspectives and acquired expertise in numerous areas including:

• Regulatory relations,
• Community relations,
• Strategic partnerships,
• Internal communications,
• Communications and outreach,
• Corporate philanthropy,
• Community engagement, and
• Business and economic development.

In her most recent role as Director, Equity and Environmental Justice, Lisette is responsible for ensuring that Equity is at the core of Eversource’s business decisions. Lissette currently engages with leaders throughout the company to ensure all employees understand how every decision will be viewed through the equity lens.

Lissette not only a consistent, top-notch performer in her “Blue Sky” role, she has also been a critical asset to Eversource in her role as Chief Regulatory Officer during weather events. When activated, Lissette excels in mobilizing the regulatory branch and notifying state agencies and regulators on event preparedness efforts. The Christmas of 2022 Storm was just one of dozens of examples of Lissette stepping up and proactively working hard internally and with stakeholders to collect info, to get it to appropriate parties and solve problems efficiently and effectively. Working with Emergency Preparedness, Lissette has increased the organizations interaction with state agencies and provides concierge service on escalated inquiries. Through the enhanced outreach, the company’s regulator, the Public Utility Regulatory Authority, in addition to the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation and other state agencies, municipalities and other stakeholders in Connecticut have trust and confidence in the information Lissette shares with a greater understanding of the cause and steps to deliver a positive resolution. Lissette always finds each interaction as an opportunity to educate on the issue and listen to any feedback to build the relationship.

Lissette’s efforts for the company and as an ambassador for all of us in the energy space do not end at the office door or at the end of the day. She has tirelessly built a strong presence in the community, including service as:

• Board Member, ARTE, INC., New Haven, CT
• Board Member, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Norwalk, CT
• Past Board Chair and Executive Board Member, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Lissette’s, proactive, inclusive approach is perhaps best evidenced by an organization she founded and led, the Greater Bridgeport Latino Network. Lissette had just moved to Connecticut and saw a gap in her new state – Latino professionals did not have access to networks to find and share information and collaborate. True to her solution-oriented approach, Lisette created and organization to fill this gap and help other individuals and her community advance. Under Lissette’s leadership, this non-profit, all volunteer organization, became a respected and credible resource throughout the state of Connecticut in providing vital information geared to promoting the efforts and opportunities available to Latinos statewide.

Joanna Troy is the Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), coordinating the wide scope of DOER’s energy policy and programs. This includes coordinating DOER’s applications for federal energy and infrastructure funding, supporting the Interagency Offshore Wind Council, and developing new policies and programs. Previously at DOER, Joanna was the Director of Policy, managing the Commonwealth offshore wind procurements and contributing to policy reports such as the Energy Storage Study and the Clean Energy and Climate Plans. Prior to joining DOER in 2014, Joanna worked for ExxonMobil as a geologist. She holds a BS in Geological Science from Tufts University, a MS in Earth and Environmental Science from Lehigh University, and a JD from the University of Houston Law Center.

As the ACCEL Project Manager at Greentown Labs, Sonali has demonstrated unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and equity in the clean energy and climate sector. She led a transformative 12-month program tailored to the needs of BIPOC climatetech founders, which included crafting a customized curriculum, securing sponsorships, and establishing a mentor program. Sonali’s academic background, including an M.B.A. from Brandeis University, provides her with the intellectual rigor and strategic insight necessary to drive change at the intersection of environmental justice and equity.

What sets Sonali apart is her capacity to navigate the world of grants and proposals. Managing a portfolio exceeding $100 million, she cultivated local and private partnerships, propelling sustainable growth within BIPOC-led startups. Her ability to drive financial support towards underserved communities and her commitment to economic and environmental justice are remarkable.