The Grid Forward Team

Kelly is a strategist and activator in the energy sector, drawing together people and concepts that drive forward progress. She’s an innovator at Snohomish County PUD where she serves as Policy & Program Manager, creating and leading teams through the utility’s Distributed Energy Resources Initiative. Prior to joining the utility to run renewable energy and conservation programs, Kelly was CEO of a sustainability consulting business and worked for a mechanical contracting firm integrating client strategies in energy efficiency and sustainability consulting. She holds a bachelors in Applied Economics & Management from Cornell University and a leadership executive MBA from Seattle University. Away from the office, Kelly can be found chasing a golf ball and cheering for the Seattle Sounders.

Abhinav has been focusing on ADMS, OMS, EMS, SCADA and AMI system implementations over his 14+ year career. He has worked across the entire lifecycle of an implementation right from system requirements gathering, both business process and technical system design, testing, system deployment, parallel operations and SCADA device cutover, and hypercare. He brings with him wealth of knowledge in the operational technology space for the current and future state technologies that are going to be required to transform the grid. Abhinav has a master’s in electrical engineering from Illinois Tech. He loves playing soccer and making art/craft with his 4 year old daughter.

Isla is a power converter control and software engineer at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (Siemens Energy). She has a PhD in Power Systems and Smart Grids and holds an MEng degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. She joined the Grid Forward team in 2021, to help with data analysis, software and all things tech. Isla grew up between France and the UK, lived in Vancouver (Canada) during her PhD and is now living in Glasgow (Scotland).

Jane has 40 plus years’ experience with clean energy focused on how markets and customers adopt and use clean energy technologies. With Grid Forward Jane keeps reminding us that grid modernization is great but how are the customers going to use it? The International Energy Program Evaluation Conference awarded Jane its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 for her work using evaluation to improve clean energy programs to better serve customers and the market. She sold her 23-year-old consultancy in 2019 and is now semi-retired supplying advising services to utilities, regulators, and clean energy consultancies, including service on the board of directors for the Energy Trust of Oregon, while also doing a lot of gardening and traveling for relaxation. Jane has a BA in Psychology and a PhD in Urban Studies. 

Mark has worked for the last 30 years at the intersection of media and the utility industry. He’s an accomplished B2B entrepreneur and publisher successfully growing and selling multi-channel information businesses. Mark has a proven track record of generating high-quality content, attracting and retaining loyal customers, and establishing strategic partnerships with industry leaders. He is also focusing on creating the perfect recipe for home-grown salsas and spending more time with my wife and kids in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado (along with our miniature Schnauzer Olive).

Mary Jo has more than 25 years’ experience working with growing companies and supporting utilities as they transition to a zero-emission carbon electric system. Mary Jo has served in sales, marketing, business development and strategic planning roles and is the founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Bellebrite Energy. Outside the office she enjoys traveling, listening to music at a local club, and spending time with friends and family.

Matt is an experienced climate and energy professional and leads Twyman & Co’s consulting practice. He brings over 15 years of expertise in renewables, distributed energy resources (DERs), energy storage, electric transportation, digital infrastructure for the built environment and carbon markets. Previously, Matt led global commercial functions for LO3 Energy, which had commercialized a first-of-its-kind transactive platform to accelerate the adoption of DERs. Prior to LO3 he led investment research and analysis at CREO focused on energy and the built environment. He has also served as a consultant to Braemar Energy Ventures and a VP at McBee Strategic Consulting. Matt has a B.A. in Environmental Economics from Colgate and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He lives in Jackson, WY and is an avid backcountry skier. He aspires to being a flyfisherman, but is enjoying that journey in the meantime.

Miki is thrilled to be part of the Grid Forward team as Marketing Advisor. She is a seasoned marketing professional with experience in the clean tech, energy, technology, and financial services industries. She’s worked with large multinationals, startups, and everything in between. Miki grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and is fluent in Japanese. Outside of work, Miki enjoys the great outdoors, practicing yin and restorative yoga, and exploring new wines and culinary creations. She has a BA from Northwestern University.

Rebecca has over a decade of experience in renewable development, cleantech advocacy, and deregulated power. Rebecca is the co-founder and managing partner at 2R Group, a national consulting firm providing advisory services to renewable developers, policy makers, regulators, utilities, and infrastructure owners. Rebecca uses her vast experience in coalition building and asset development as well as her deep understanding of power market dynamics to create inventive solutions for her clients. She can also be found in the kitchen perfecting her culinary skills or at a dance studio practicing her hip-hop moves. She holds a BS in economics and public policy from Indiana University and sits on the board of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) PDX.

Sam manages all things membership, as well as event sponsorships. He is the Director of Business Development at Catalyze, a Commercial and Industrial Solar and Energy Storage Independent Power Producer. Sam specializes in energy storage commercial development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and environmental studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Sam loves skiing, boating, golf, and travel.

Steve was the Director of Grid Modernization when he retired from the Bonneville Power Administration in 2020 after a 28 year career. Since then, he has been consulting for several utilities and trade organizations providing expertise on matters relating to BPA, organized market development, resource adequacy, renewable resource development and technical/staffing organizational readiness required for grid modernization. Steve has been part of the Grid Forward team since 2020 where is has led coordination with Western States’ energy offices on GRIP Federal funding opportunities and assisted in the planning and execution of Grid Forward events. Steve enjoys the beach life on the Central Oregon coast with his wife and dogs and his hobbies include listening to music, reading and crafts.

Tom has 25+ years of management consulting experience with the last 16 years focused exclusively on the utility industry with North Highland. A utility industry strategist and leader in driving transformation particularly on the demand side, he has led numerous demonstrations and commercialization of demand response (two of which received PLMA awards), batteries, distributed generation, and dispatchable voltage regulation both for public power and IOUs. Tom has also led teams focused on grid modernization and non-wires alternatives. He is a 2015 Fellow of the Oregon American Leadership Forum and has served on boards including Climate Stewards, the Commons Law Center, and public school foundations. Tom loves old maps and roasted peanuts, and running, with a goal to run on every street in the city of Portland (where he has been chased by dogs!).

Zach is a dynamic energy professional and sustainability enthusiast with a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University. Specializing in power supply portfolio modeling, Zach has provided valuable insights into energy markets across major regional transmission organizations. With a keen passion for early-stage companies and innovative utility business models, he actively contributes to the development of a groundbreaking Distributed Energy Resource (DER) ecosystem in northern Colorado at Platte River Power Authority. Leveraging his expertise in energy markets and demand flexibility, he supports initiatives fostering collaboration, optimizing energy resources, and driving meaningful environmental impact. Beyond the energy sector, Zach finds joy in skiing, hiking, camping, and exploring the stunning landscapes of the West.