Sustain SoCal presents: Sustainability in Transition

About the Speakers:

Martha Guzman Aceves, Commissioner, CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Martha Guzman Aceves was appointed Commissioner at the CPUC by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Dec. 28, 2016. Her portfolio includes issues related to distributed energy (Net Energy Metering, Demand Response Programs, and Energy Storage), fiscal oversight of utilities (Energy Resource Recovery Accounts), broadband access (California Advanced Service Fund, High Cost Funds A and B, Broadband Deployment), water affordability and conservation, increasing access to clean energy programs for Disadvantaged Communities (San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy, SOMAH, DAC SASH, DAC Community Solar) and preventing disconnections of basic utilities.  She spearheaded the Interagency Solar Consumer Protection Taskforce, a collaboration with the Contractor State License Board and Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Additionally, Commissioner Guzman Aceves serves as co-chair of the Emerging Trends Committee, and is one of two Commissioners on the Senate Bill 350 Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group in coordination with the California Energy Commission.  She also represents the CPUC on the California Broadband Council, the Lithium Valley Commission. Commissioner Guzman Aceves earned a Master of Science degree in agricultural and resource economics from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Science in International Economics from Georgetown University.

Sarah Bartlett, Resource Specialist, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Sarah Bartlett is a Resource Specialist with the Imported Supply Unit of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She is a licensed geologist with a Bachelor of Science in Geology & Geophysics from Yale University and a Masters in City Planning (MCP) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Steve Baule, Dir. of Sustainable Projects, Office of Sustainability, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

Steve Baule is Director of Sustainable Projects in the Office of Sustainability at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. With experience in implementing energy efficiency and water conservation policies and programs for the City of Los Angeles, he manages the Department’s La Kretz Innovation Campus that supports the development of clean technologies in Los Angeles. Prior, he managed the City’s first Weatherization program which received over $16 million in funding, including a $9 Million American Recovery Reinvestment Act grant. The program provided direct energy efficiency saving measures to low-income communities across Los Angeles. Before joining LADWP, he worked as a Community Development Coordinator throughout the 95 Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles.

Edie Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board

Edie Chang was appointed as a Deputy Executive Officer at the California Air Resources Board in the spring of 2013. She is responsible for development and implementation of California’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including the AB 32 Scoping Plan, the cap-and-trade regulation, and the low carbon fuel standard. She also oversees strategies to reduce emissions from freight transport, the air toxics program, fuels regulations, and stationary source programs. In Edie’s 20 year career with CARB, she has worked on a wide variety of projects including implementation of the zero-emission vehicle program, preparation of State Implementation Plans, and diesel incentive programs. Edie received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. She is a registered Mechanical Engineer in the State of California.

Patrick Courcelles, Counsul and Trade Commissioner, Clean Technologies & Education, The Consulate General of Canada

Mr. Patrick Courcelles is overseeing the launching the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles / San Diego’s SoCal CleanTech Express, a high-intensity program offering services to Canadian cleantech companies who are positioned to help California meet its sustainability goals in 4 areas: water/wastewater, clean transportation, the built environment and ports. Through this program, the 9 selected companies listed below will get on-the-ground intelligence and advice/mentoring, and will make strategic connections to help them enter this market and help the region move towards a cleaner future. Over the next 5 months, the Consulate will be working closely with these 9 innovative companies and with our program partners: Isle Utilities (water/wastewater), CALSTART (clean transportation), USGBC-Los Angeles (built environment) and Braid Theory (ports).

Julie Shafer Davitz, Senior Vice President, Head of Impact Solutions, Bank of the West / BNP Paribas

A globally-connected leader and changemaker with over 20 years of experience in the impact sector, Julie Davitz is passionate about helping investors, philanthropists, foundations, nonprofits and businesses mobilize their resources to realize their vision for change. Julie currently serves as Head of Impact Solutions for Bank of the West’s Wealth Management division and enjoys helping her clients create positive and lasting change while pursuing their personal impact and financial goals. Known as an innovator who develops and sustains cause-related initiatives and investments, Julie is committed to sharing her deep experience to increase awareness of impact investing, improve effectiveness in the social impact space and build collaborative relationships.

Tosh Dutt, CEO, ChargeNet

ChargeNet is building the charging experience of the future in fast food and retail parking lots.  We’re a SaaS company helping restaurants and property owners with electric vehicle fast charging and renewable energy and we use consumer data to charge electric vehicles quicker and cheaper.

Madison Freeman, Associate of Research & Strategy, Energy Impact Partner

Madison Freeman has experience in energy technology innovation and state and federal policy. Prior to joining EIP, Madison worked as a research associate in the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she conducted analysis and crafted strategies on clean energy innovation, digitalization and decentralization of the electric power sector, and policy responses and incentives. She previously worked in the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, where she focused on the geopolitics of energy. Her analysis has been published in outlets such as Foreign Affairs, NPR, Scientific American, and the Hill. Madison holds a B.A. in International Studies from American University, and has held fellowships with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.

Angelina Galiteva, Chair, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board of Governors

Gov. Gavin Newsom reappointed Angelina Galiteva on March 4, 2020 to a third term on the California Independent System Operator (ISO) Board of Governors that expires on December 31, 2022. Ms. Galiteva, of Fountain Valley, was first appointed on April 29, 2011. Ms. Galiteva is currently President for NEOptions, Inc., a renewable energy and new technology product design and project development firm. Her industry experience includes serving as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and head of its Green LA, Environmental Affairs and New Product Development Organization. While at the municipal utility, she was responsible for strategic positioning and the environmental compliance departments. Her career includes working with the California ISO and Power Exchange on their initial launches and she also worked as a power analyst for the New York Power Authority. Ms. Galiteva graduated from Pace University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1993 and a LL.M. degree in 1994 in Environmental and Energy Law. She specialized in electric utility strategic policy analysis and decision-making focusing on pending industry transition and deregulation issues. Ms. Galiteva works to advance the deployment of renewable energy and distributed energy technologies worldwide. She also serves as Chairperson of the World Council for Renewable Energy, where she is one of the spokespersons, among other duties.

Herve Duteil, Chief Sustainability Officer, Americas,  BNP Paribas

Hervé Duteil is Chief Sustainability Officer for BNP Paribas in the Americas. In that role, he leads the bank’s regional strategy for sustainable finance, corporate social responsibility, and company engagement.  He serves as a member on Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Climate-Related Market Risk Subcommittee of the Market Risk Advisory Committee, Canada Standards Association’s Technical Committee for the Development of a National Standard for “Transition & Sustainable Finance”, and the Yale Initiative on Sustainable Finance Advisory Board.

Lauren Harper, Program Manager, Energy, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)

As the Manager of Energy, Lauren oversees the daily management of the Regional Energy Innovation Clusters Grant and assists in the development of energy initiatives and programming within the Market Transformation Pillar. Before joining LACI, Lauren worked in administrative affairs and operational management at Columbia University. Prior to that, Lauren championed a collaborative grant program and oversaw the project management awarded projects at Houston Wilderness, successfully securing over $1M in funding. Lauren holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston focused on Environmental Sciences & Systems. Lauren enjoys birding and hiking in her free time.

Tom Koutroulis, Director, Orange County Waste & Recycling (OCWR)

OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation’s premier solid waste disposal systems, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. They are among the largest in the state and annually receive more than 4 million tons of solid waste. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at www.oclandfills.com.

Mike Lolli, Director, Park Operations, Environmental & Accessibility, Disneyland Resort Anaheim

As Director, Park Operations, Environmental & Accessibility, Mike Lolli leads strategic, transformational work for the Disneyland Resort.  Mike is a 20-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, leading diverse operations in its Parks, Experiences & Products segment.  Most recently, Mike’s role has included planning & execution of Disneyland Resort’s ambitious FY30 Waste, Water & Energy conservation targets, developing & implementing COVID-19 Safety Protocols, and preparing Disneyland Resort for its reopening after a year-long closure.  Mike grew up the son of two teachers in the Boston area, and now makes his home in Anaheim with his wife Aida & their two daughters.  He continues to learn from all of them, everyday.

Riyad Said, Senior Vice President and Key Client Advisor, Bank of the West / BNP Paribas

Riyad Said has a unique combination of operating, transactional and investment and wealth advisory experience, including capital markets, public and private equity/venture capital, private banking and lending, capital raising and M&A. He has held executive positions in the financial services and information technology industries, advising clients on a variety of business, corporate strategy, financial planning and investment management issues. In addition, he has advised institutional and individual investors and participated in a broad range of corporate finance and M&A transactions and led business development, marketing and corporate strategy initiatives for leading Fortune 500 companies. Riyad is a Sustain SoCal Board Officer.

Kris Waters, Director, Cox Communications Sustainability, Cox Enterprises Inc. Environmental Sustainability

Kris Waters leads Cox Communications Sustainability efforts within Cox Enterprises’ Environmental Sustainability team, and co-chairs the CCI National Environmental Council. A 19-year veteran of Cox Communications, Kris gained experience across customer experience, sales, marketing channel development, and process management, before founding Cox’s Investment Recovery and Sustainable Solutions programs. Through these programs, she has driven over $150M in value to Cox’s business while driving Cox Communications’ landfill diversion rate to 83%. Kris has an undergraduate in Journalism, an MBA, and post-graduate and professional certifications in Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Innovation, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Certified Manager of Investment Recovery and GBCI TRUE Advisor. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Kris now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two sons.