Sessions

Showing 1 to 15 out of 27 Records

Registration 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Wednesday 16th October - Armstrong Foyer

Pick up your badge and check out our sponsors

Welcome Reception 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Wednesday 16th October - Lagniappe

Welcome to New Orleans and AiDASH Evolve 2024.  Join us for local food, drinks and music to kick off the conference.

NETWORKING BREAKFAST 07:45 AM - 08:45 AM - Thursday 17th October - Rhythms Ballroom
WELCOME ADDRESS 08:45 AM - 09:30 AM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom

Join your industry-leading peers to hear AiDash Co-Founder and CEO Abhishek Vinod Singh open Evolve 2024 with remarks about groundbreaking technology solutions, which are now more critically important than ever. We must secure tomorrow and evolve to adapt to a changing climate.

Speakers

A serial entrepreneur with almost two decades of experience in building innovation-led products, Abhishek is the CEO and co-founder of AiDash. An IIT Kanpur alumnus, he was formerly the COO, USA, and Head of Digital Transformation at Kellton Tech. Abhishek brings with him robust industry experience, astute domain knowledge, and innovative business and marketing strategies.
Abhishek Vinod Singh
AiDash
Co-founder & CEO
KEYNOTE: SECURING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom

In this urgently important keynote, former Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards expounds on how increasing storm intensity and frequency are putting American infrastructure at risk, creating danger for  future generations. Learn what steps have been taken at both the federal and state levels to fight this problem by allocating budgets and making climate adaptation a priority.

Then, Governor Edwards will sit down with Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), for a fireside chat.

Speakers

Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards serves as special counsel in Fishman Haygood. John Bel works with both the firm’s business and litigation teams with a focus on renewable energy matters. Prior to his governorship, John Bel was a practicing attorney and managing member of Edwards and Associates Law Firm, LLC, in his hometown of Amite, La.  In 2008, John Bel was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives where he served on the Civil Law, Education, and Judiciary Committees; chaired the Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs (2009-11); and was the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2010 through 2015. John Bel represented the people of Amite, Greensburg, Kentwood, and Hammond for eight years before being elected to the highest rank in state government in November 2015. During his 2 terms as the 56th Governor of Louisiana, John Bel spearheaded legislative initiatives like Medicaid expansion, budget stabilization, and criminal justice reform. He also was at the state’s helm through the COVID pandemic, during which Louisiana suffered its 2 strongest hurricanes ever: Laura (2020) and Ida (2021). Having led the response to — and recovery from — 50 state emergencies and 23 federal disaster declarations, which also included floods, wildfires, and tornadoes, John Bel prioritized addressing climate change and expanding the clean energy sector in conjunction with the state’s long history of traditional energy. In 2017, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed the Louisiana Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast. Under John Bel’s administration, the state invested $15.4 billion in coastal protection and restoration construction projects benefitting nearly 32,000 acres of wetlands and 359 miles of levees. The state is currently in engineering and design for another 52 projects that—when completed—will represent an additional total investment of nearly $8 billion and benefit just under 300,000 acres of wetlands. Then, in January 2022, John Bel approved Louisiana’s first-ever Climate Action Plan, an innovative set of recommendations designed to limit the severity of climate change, while maintaining economic competitiveness with the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. He achieved record economic development and diversification by embracing traditional fossil fuel exploration and production, refining and chemical manufacturing, as well as the transition to low and no carbon energy, with an all-of-the-above approach including hydrogen, solar, wind, biofuels, and carbon capture and sequestration. Louisiana formally began the process to develop offshore wind leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2022. Among many national and regional appointments, John Bel was appointed to the Council of Governors by President Obama (2016), President Trump (2017), and President Biden (2021). John Bel co-chaired the Council’s committee on cyber security from 2021 through 2023. At that time, he also chaired the Outer Continental Shelf Governor’s Coalition, which included the governors of Alaska, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. John Bel received his law degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. He clerked for Judge James L. Dennis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. John Bel received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988, and he accepted a commission to the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant upon graduation. In 8 years of active duty, John Bel earned Airborne, Ranger, and Jumpmaster status, which culminated with the command of a rifle company in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
John Bel Edwards
State of Louisiana
Former Governor of Louisiana and Special Counsel, Fishman Haygood
Neil is a former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and has deep ties in Washington and across the industry, with extensive experience across the energy landscape both domestically and internationally. He is respected for his ability to strike compromise and work with a wide variety of stakeholders. In his time on the Hill and at FERC, Neil built a reputation as a bipartisan operator who builds alliances and cuts through red tape with an eye on always promoting innovation. Neil’s significant knowledge and experience is derived from operating at the highest levels of government and as such, is able to provide clients valuable insights and counsel when navigating the highly regulated energy industry. While at FERC, Neil championed several strategic initiatives, including streamlining and improving FERC’s liquified natural gas application review and approval process, bolstering power grid reliability and resilience, and boosting renewable resources’ ability to compete in regional power markets and reduce carbon emissions. Neil is a policy reformer who broke down market barriers for the entrance of new technologies, particularly for low-carbon technologies. He has been an advocate for harnessing technology to mitigate physical and cyber threats to critical energy infrastructure. Prior to his time at the Commission, Neil served as an advisor to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), where he aided in the passage of major energy, highway, and agriculture legislation. Neil also has experience working as a principal in government relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He began his career as a staff member on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Neil Chatterjee
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Former Commissioner and Chairman
MORNING BREAK AND NETWORKING 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM - Thursday 17th October - Iris/Bacchus

Please enjoy some morning beverages and visit our Demo Lounge

SECURING TOMORROW’S GRID — HOW SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND AI ARE TRANSFORMING UTILITY OPERATIONS AND RELIABILITY 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom

In this session, you’ll learn how space technology and AI are revolutionizing utility operations. Explore cutting-edge satellite capabilities for monitoring critical infrastructure and AI-driven insights enhancing grid reliability. Discover the future of data-driven operations and how this technological synergy is securing tomorrow’s grid today.

Speakers

Josh is Maxar Intelligence’s Senior Director of Enterprise Sales. He’s worked with commercial partners over the past 14 years to bring their maps to life with Maxar’s industry-leading satellite imagery. Josh has an MBA from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business and an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University.
Josh Winer
Maxar Intelligence
Senior Director of Enterprise Sales
As the CPTO and co-founder of AiDash, Rahul works closely with product management, engineering, and design teams to guide our core products from conception to production. An IIT Delhi alumnus and a serial entrepreneur, Rahul brings with him deep-domain expertise in technology, product development, and engineering. He is passionate about AI and machine learning and is driven by a zeal for problem solving and maximizing efficiency through technology-led innovations.
Rahul Saxena
AiDash
Chief Product and Technology Officer, Co-Founder
PANEL: LEADING TRANSFORMATION — NAVIGATING CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY, AND OPERATIONS 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom
How can leaders drive transformation while maintaining operational excellence?

Our panel of industry experts will share their experiences leading change at every level, from front-line workers to the executive suite. They’ll discuss how they set a clear direction, leveraged insights from technologies like AI and satellites, and adapted to external forces such as climate change and evolving regulations — all while improving risk mitigation and operational efficiency.

Moderator:
  • Azum Ali, VP of Customer Success and Transformation, AiDash
Panelists:
  • August Ridder, Operations Manager, Vegetation Management, Xcel Energy
  • Kristen Bridges, Vegetation Management and Contract Services Manager, Alabama Power
  • Shubham Kumar, Managing Director and Partner, BCG
  • Don Adcock, Senior Manager, Power Delivery Vegetation Management Operations, Entergy

Speakers

Azum is passionate about tackling global challenges, one tangible step at a time. As VP of Customer Success and Transformation, he leads a team that creates strategic outcomes for our customers. He brings over 15 years of experience spanning electrical engineering, and public policy, and most recently led corporate transformations as a senior leader at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He is an alumnus of Harvard, where he conducted research on energy innovation and national security policy as a Belfer Fellow and is currently a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Azum Ali
AiDash
VP of Customer Success and Transformation
August brings 13 years of experience to his role as Operations Manager, Vegetation Management for Xcel Energy. As a leader, he was previously Program Manager for Xcel and a Project Supervisor for the Davey Resource Group. His forestry experience includes time with the Keweenaw Land Association, Compass Land Consultants Inc., and the U.S. Forest Service. He received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree from Michigan Technological University in 2011.
August Ridder
Xcel Energy
Operations Manager - Vegetation Management
Kristen is responsible for strategic leadership of Alabama Power Company’s vegetation management and power delivery contract services operations across its service territory. She applies over 23 years of experience with the company in roles that include leading teams for distribution and transmission asset maintenance, developing and implementing plans to continually improve levels of customer service and reliability, and managing capital improvement and O&M budgets.
Kristen Bridges
Alabama Power
Vegetation Management and Contract Services Manager
Shubham is a lead member of the Energy and Technology Advantage practices at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He has supported clients in the US, Europe, India, and the Middle East since joining the firm. Shubham works with energy clients on such topics as grid modernization systems and architecture, decarbonization and portfolio transition, operational excellence (particularly in transmission and distribution operations), capital plan development, next-generation vegetation management, digital transformation, and customer operations. As a leader in the Technology Advantage practice, Shubham also advises technology services clients on such topics as operational excellence, offering-portfolio redesign, revenue acceleration, delivery model redesign, and cost reduction. Shubham is the digital node for Houston, responsible for facilitating digital topic development and affiliation. Prior to joining BCG, Shubham worked at Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital, based in London. He has also worked as a researcher in the field of data mining and natural language processing, and has several journal and conference publications to his credit. Shubham has completed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program.
Shubham Kumar
BCG
Managing Director and Partner
Don’s career at Entergy reflects a steady rise through leadership roles, underpinned by his expertise in forestry and vegetation management. Starting in 1991 with ACRT, Don transitioned to Entergy in 1993 as Operations Coordinator in Arkansas. As his operational influence expanded, he ultimately oversaw vegetation management across all four of Entergy’s service areas — Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. Drawing on his forestry background from Louisiana Tech, Don has played a crucial role in ensuring safety and reliability through innovative vegetation management strategies, throughout more than 30 years in the industry.
Don Adcock
Entergy
Senior Manager - Power Delivery Vegetation Management Operations
NETWORKING LUNCH — WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS 12:15 PM - 01:30 PM - Thursday 17th October - Rhythms Ballroom

Join us for a networking lunch where you can connect with like-minded attendees. Simply find the table with the topic that interests you, take a seat, and enjoy the conversation!

CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORIES: REAL-WORLD IMPACTS OF CLIMATE RESILIENCE INITIATIVES 01:30 PM - 02:15 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom

Discover how a diverse group of customers have leveraged AiDash’s solutions to drive transformative change. Panelists will share insights on enhancing grid resilience, optimizing vegetation management, and making communities safer and more sustainable.


Moderator:

  • Isabella Espinel, Product Consultant and Customer Success, AiDash

Panelists:

  • Ryan Moe, Lead Specialist Vegetation Strategy, National Grid
  • Orlando McKoy, Director of T&D Asset Optimization and PMO, Jamaica Public Service Company
  • Carl de Haan, Engineering Reliability Manager, Powerco, New Zealand

Speakers

Isabella is a Product Consultant at AiDash, where she partners with IOU clients to develop tailored solutions using the Intelligent Vegetation Management System and advanced analytics. Prior to joining AiDash, Isabella worked as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she tackled complex problems, from COVID strategy in retail to personalization engine strategies for major corporations. Throughout her career, she has contributed to renowned organizations such as Formula D_, Scale Venture Partners, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. With her experience in market research, data analytics, and customer success, Isabella is dedicated to leveraging AI and technology to enhance the reliability of utilities and improve lives globally.
Isabella Espinel
AiDash
Product Consultant and Customer Success
Ryan is the Lead Specialist for National Grid’s Vegetation Strategy team. He is responsible for the long-term planning and strategy supporting National Grid’s distribution assets in Massachusetts, which includes developing annual budgets, work plans, and representing National Grid during regulatory proceedings. Ryan has also worked in National Grid USA’s Real Estate department, where he began mapping the company’s property records along transmission lines and analyzing vegetation management rights. Ryan graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Design in 2006 and is an ISA Certified Arborist.
Ryan Moe
National Grid
Lead Specialist Vegetation Strategy
Orlando is the Director of T&D Asset Optimization and PMO at Jamaica Public Service Company. A trained and accomplished Utility Professional, Orlando has transitioned from a Power Engineer to a leader in Grid Modernizing strategies. He has over 23 years of utility experience, covering Grid Operations, Engineering, Asset and Project Management. And he has led several large utility construction projects and modernizing initiatives to improve operational efficiency and system reliability. Orlando is a certified Project Manager and Professional Engineer and a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Society. He has used his knowledge and experience of power system operations to modernize existing processes and systems. In this way, he has successfully transformed the utility’s operations using technology, resulting in significant improvements in reliability and operational efficiency
Orlando McKoy
Jamaica Public Service Company
Director of T&D Asset Optimization and PMO
As Engineering Reliability Manager for Powerco, the second-largest gas and largest electricity distributor in New Zealand, Carl leads the team responsible for ensuring the network can operate reliably as designed. Carl has a passion for strategic planning, reliability, and operational support for power systems. His current certifications include International Professional Engineer, Chartered Member (CMEngNZ), and Chartered Professional Engineer ( CPEng), Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau. He achieved his BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Carl de Haan
Powerco, New Zealand
Engineering Reliability Manager
CO-OP INNOVATION: MEETING INCREASED DEMAND, MINIMIZING DISRUPTIONS, AND MITIGATING RISK 02:15 PM - 03:00 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom
In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving consumer expectations, electric cooperatives are at a pivotal crossroads.

This session will explore innovative strategies that cooperatives can adopt to effectively meet the surging demand while minimizing service disruptions and mitigating risks associated with environmental, infrastructure aging, and operational challenges.

Moderator:
  • Gary Huntley, Retired VP of Distribution Services
Panelists:
  • Jacob Barlow, VP of Engineering and Operations, Randolph EMC
  • Don Bowman, VP of Engineering and Operations, and Assistant General Manager, Wake EMC
  • OJ Johnson, Construction and Right of Way Supervisor, Mitchell EMC
  • Dragan Savic, Manager, Engineering, ENWIN Utilities

Speakers

Gary is a retired executive with over 32 years in the energy sector, mostly in electric and gas utility operations. He retired as Vice President of Distribution Services in October 2021. During his time at his former employment, he led an organization of approximately 400 employees across Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. Gary holds a BS in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University.
Gary Huntley
Retired VP of Distribution Services
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from N.C. State University and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years as an officer on board the Destroyer USS Mitscher and the Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise. He has worked as a Power Plant Engineer at a Combined Cycle Natural Gas Power Plant, a Transmission and Distribution Operations Support Engineer for Delmarva Power and Atlantic City Electric, and a Distribution Engineer for Delmarva Power. Jacob joined Randolph EMC in 2018 as the Senior Project Engineer. He designed and executed the first self-healing schemes at Randolph EMC. He has taken an active role in data analytics and has supported Operations and Engineering in various capacities. He became a Professional Engineer in North Carolina in 2020.
Jacob Barlow
Randolph EMC
VP of Engineering and Operations
Don is the Vice President of Engineering and Operations and Assistant General Manager at Wake Electric Membership Corporation. He joined Wake EMC in 2010 and strives to integrate innovative technologies with traditional engineering and operation efficiencies for a better overall experience for the members. He previously worked for NRTC, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, where he held the position of Vice President of Utility Solutions. Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Virginia, and an MBA from American University. Don and his family reside in Wake Forest, NC.
Don Bowman
Wake EMC
VP of Engineering and Operations and Assistant General Manager
OJ is responsible for construction and maintenance for Mitchell EMC’s Camilla District and vegetation management, systemwide. As a Lineman with 40 years of operational experience and an ISA Certified Arborist since 2016, he understands what a comprehensive vegetation management program means to safety, reliability, restoration, and customer satisfaction. Managing budgets and contracts is a small part of the daily operations, but building relationships is what it is all about.
OJ Johnson
Mitchell EMC
Construction and Right of Way Supervisor
Dragan Savic, P.Eng, MBA, PMP, is the Manager of Engineering (Technical Services) at ENWIN Utilities in Windsor, Ontario. With over 14 years at ENWIN, he has held various leadership roles, including Manager of the Project Management Office and Distribution Engineer. Dragan has extensive experience in electrical engineering, project management, and leadership, and holds an MBA from Wayne State University and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. His diverse career spans utilities, manufacturing, and product development in multiple industries.
Dragan Savic
ENWIN Utilities
Manager - Engineering
COFFEE BREAK 03:00 PM - 03:15 PM - Thursday 17th October - Iris/Bacchus

Join us in the Demo Lounge to learn more about AiDASH and our sponsors.

REGULATORS’ ROUNDTABLE: LEVERAGING AI TO ENHANCE GRID RELIABILITY AND MANAGE COSTS 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom
Learn from state commissioners and customer advocates as they discuss regulatory challenges and best practices. Hear them share their perspectives on balancing reliability, costs, and resilience through innovative vegetation management.

  • Moderator:
    • Angela Navarro, President, ALN Policy & Law
  • Panelists:
    • Erik M. Helland, Chair, Iowa Utilities Commission
    • Davante Lewis, Commissioner, Louisiana Public Service Commission
    • De’Keither Stamps, Commissioner, Mississippi Public Service Commission
    • Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

    Speakers

    Neil is a former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and has deep ties in Washington and across the industry, with extensive experience across the energy landscape both domestically and internationally. He is respected for his ability to strike compromise and work with a wide variety of stakeholders. In his time on the Hill and at FERC, Neil built a reputation as a bipartisan operator who builds alliances and cuts through red tape with an eye on always promoting innovation. Neil’s significant knowledge and experience is derived from operating at the highest levels of government and as such, is able to provide clients valuable insights and counsel when navigating the highly regulated energy industry. While at FERC, Neil championed several strategic initiatives, including streamlining and improving FERC’s liquified natural gas application review and approval process, bolstering power grid reliability and resilience, and boosting renewable resources’ ability to compete in regional power markets and reduce carbon emissions. Neil is a policy reformer who broke down market barriers for the entrance of new technologies, particularly for low-carbon technologies. He has been an advocate for harnessing technology to mitigate physical and cyber threats to critical energy infrastructure. Prior to his time at the Commission, Neil served as an advisor to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), where he aided in the passage of major energy, highway, and agriculture legislation. Neil also has experience working as a principal in government relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He began his career as a staff member on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
    Neil Chatterjee
    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
    Former Commissioner and Chairman
    Davante, born and raised in Lake Charles, LA, is a social justice activist who has dedicated his life to building people power throughout civic participation. Davante graduated from McNeese State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Communications. While at McNeese, Davante served as a two-term Student Body President, chair of the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents and a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. After graduation, Davante continued to be a champion for young people as a public school teacher who led programs to enhance positive behavior systems and promote positive relationships between teachers and students. Taking his advocacy beyond the classroom, Davante joined the Louisiana Budget Project as Director of Public Affairs and Outreach, where he focuses on higher education policy, consumer protection policies, monitoring legislative developments and working with advocacy groups and coalition partners to forge a common agenda and action plan for advancing policies that benefit Louisianans with low and moderate incomes. At LBP, Davante has become a leading voice in Louisiana for economic and racial justice, consumer protections, equity in education, and financial aid and student loans reforms for students. Davante’s policy advocacy has been recognized at the national level. Davante served as the Co-Chair of the Outreach and Campaigns Advisory committee for the State Priorities Partnership — a network of state advocacy organizations advancing policies that benefit people with low-income — and was elected the Chair of the SPP’s Steering Committee. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant on policy advocacy and community engagement.
    Davante Lewis
    Louisiana Public Service Commission
    Commissioner
    Erik began his service on May 1, 2023, for a term that runs through April 30, 2029. Gov. Kim Reynolds also appointed Helland as Commission Chair through April 30, 2025. Helland serves on several committees for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), including the Committee on Critical Infrastructure, NARUC’s Washington Action Program, the Committee on Electricity and the Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative. He previously worked at the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board and served four years in the Iowa Legislature. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a law degree, both from Drake University. He and his wife live in Des Moines with their three children.
    Erik M. Helland
    Iowa Utilities Commission
    Chair
    De’Keither is a figure whose life reads like a testament to service, resilience, and leadership. As a learned, Mississippi native, his roots run deep through the community’s schools, from McLeod to Timberlawn, Siwell to Forest Hill, where his early life in public education set the foundation for his formidable character. Following high school, De’Keither sought to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps, a decision that would lead him on an extraordinary journey, including three years in the esteemed role of Presidential Security for Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. His dedication to service didn’t stop there; De’Keither then took his commitment overseas, working with the State Department in various capacities across Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. With a relentless spirit, he re-enlisted, this time with the Army in 2005, driven by a desire to be on the ground in Iraq. There, he joined the ranks of the 82nd Airborne Division, enduring back-to-back deployments, a testament to his endurance and commitment to the cause of freedom. De’Keither’s world experience is vast—not just geographically, but in the breadth of humanity he has encountered. He has engaged in global dialogue, trained with fellow servicemen and women, fought on battlefields, and faced life’s toughest challenges head-on. Back home in Jackson, De’Keither transitioned his service from global to local. He served as City Councilman for Ward 4, where he advocated for the community that raised him. As the Mississippi State Representative for District 66, he continued to champion the needs and aspirations of his constituents. Now, with his role of Public Service Commissioner for the Central Mississippi District, De’Keither aims to leverage his depth of experience in public service to ensure a brighter, more efficient future for his home state. Family is the cornerstone of De’Keither’s life. He is a devoted son to Mr. & Mrs. Delmar Stamps of Jackson and Debra Sturgis of Crystal Springs. His greatest pride, however, is his family who inspires him every day to build a legacy of service and integrity. This is De’Keither Stamps: a man shaped by service, tested by conflict, and driven by a profound love for his family and community. Join him in his journey as he seeks to bring his lifetime of service to the people of Mississippi through the office of Public Service Commissioner.
    De’Keither Stamps
    Mississippi Public Service Commission
    Commissioner
    Angela is the President of ALN Policy and Law, where she counsels energy companies, tech companies, non-profits, and foundations on complex regulatory and policy issues in markets across the country. Previously, she served as the Head of State Regulatory Affairs at Arcadia, where she led the energy technology company’s policy and regulatory program in two dozen state markets across the country. She spent nearly 8 years in public service, including as a Commissioner on the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the body that regulates the investor-owned utilities in Virginia. In that role, she was responsible for issuing decisions implementing grid modernization, renewable energy development, energy efficiency portfolios, ratemaking, and a variety of other subject matters. Prior to her time as a Commissioner, Angela served as a senior advisor across two Governor’s offices in Virginia. She served as Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources under Governor Terry McAuliffe, where she advised on energy and environmental policies. She then served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Governor Ralph Northam, where she led the Governor’s energy policy portfolio and also worked on housing, small business, and economic development policies. Before entering government service, Angela practiced law with the Southern Environmental Law Center. While at SELC, she led the organization’s energy efficiency practice across a six-state southeastern region, and she was the organization’s lead attorney on energy matters in Virginia. Angela holds degrees in Business and English from the University of Florida and a law degree from Georgetown Law.
    Angela Navarro
    ALN Policy Law
    President
    EMBRACING BIODIVERSITY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 04:00 PM - 04:45 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom
    Championing biodiversity is good for business as well as the planet. Following the UK’s new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules, biodiversity regulations are increasing around the globe to safeguard our food chain and environmental health. Learn how U.S. utilities benefit by staying ahead of the curve.
    • Moderator:
      • Shashin Misra, Vice President of EMEA, AiDASH
    • Panelists:
      • Nick White, Principal Advisor, BNG, Natural England
      • Sally Hayns, CEO, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)

    Speakers

    Nick works across Government (national and local), and with developers, NGOs, and academia to advance policy, practice, and standards around net gain (biodiversity, natural capital and environmental). As a non-ecologist, Nick is interested in how biodiversity and the natural environment can contribute towards wider social and economic benefits. He also has a strong interest in green infrastructure, especially in relation to urban areas, and its ability to enhance wider (grey) infrastructure resilience.
    Nick White
    Natural England
    Principal Advisor - BNG
    Sally has been an ecologist for over 30 years and is both a Chartered Ecologist and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). Sally has been the CEO of CIEEM, the professional body for ecologists and environmental managers across the UK, Ireland and beyond, for more than 10 years. In that time, she has helped the organisation grow its membership and influence, raising the profile of the ecology profession. Sally has been involved in developing overarching principles, guidance and standards for the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England for a number of years and has been instrumental in developing the Institute’s training programme to help upskill practitioners. Developing competence and ensuring that there are enough new ecologists and environmental managers with the right skills and access to the best tools to deliver quality outcomes for biodiversity and stakeholders has been central to her work as part of the previous UK Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group. Sally is passionate about highlighting the vital role the ecology and environmental management profession plays in addressing the environmental challenges we all face and about ensuring that practitioners develop the knowledge and skills to save the planet. She has appeared in the Environmental News Digest (ENDS) Top 100 Environmental Power List every year since the List’s inception in 2022 and in 2024 was named as one of the top 10 professional influencers driving change.
    Sally Hayns
    Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
    CEO
    A senior technology leader and author, Shashin Mishra is the VP of AiDash in EMEA. He has built transformational AI products across industry verticals and co-authored a book on how to build responsible AI. An IIT Kanpur alumnus, Shashin previously led data science practices for a global digital business transformation company and co-founded an IoT startup that performed real-time power distribution grid monitoring. He brings with him experience of enterprise product strategy, scaling teams, and delivering award-winning products.
    Shashin Mishra
    AiDASH
    Vice President of EMEA
    PANEL: BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN FOR WATER AND ENERGY UTILITIES AT SCALE 04:45 PM - 05:30 PM - Thursday 17th October - Armstrong Ballroom

    This panel will explore how water and energy utilities are integrating Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and natural capital to balance the needs of critical water infrastructure with sustainable environmental stewardship. It will delve into the challenges and opportunities of embedding biodiversity into water utility operations, including regulatory compliance, partnerships with landowners, and the use of technology to monitor and enhance natural capital.

    The panelists will share their insights from implementing these concepts, focusing on real-world benefits like water quality improvement, flood risk reduction, and sustainable land management.

    • Moderator:
      • Shashin Misra, Vice President of EMEA, AiDASH
    • Panelists:
      • Jack Lomas, Emerging Technology Lead, Capital Design and Delivery, Severn Trent
      • Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources, South West Water
      • Kathleen Fillier, Environment Analyst, Newfoundland Power

    Speakers

    Jack is proud to lead Emerging Technology at Severn Trent, where he is “on the search” for evolutionary capabilities to revolutionise Severn Trent’s £6bn AMP8 capital programme. Outside of Severn Trent, Jack hosts Future Engineering Club Podcast, a weekly industry series with listeners across 37 countries, shining a spotlight on those building the future of our planet. He is an experienced business leader, having spent over a decade focused on the intersection between technology and the built environment. Jack specialises in applying an entrepreneurial lens to asset-intensive industry challenges to improve and accelerate decision-making through data and the adoption of evolutionary technology. His background in consultancy leadership roles includes UK Digital Director at WSP, Head of Product at Mott MacDonald Digital Ventures, and Strategy and Transformation at IBM, as well as entrepreneurial co-founder roles in two high-growth built-environment startups. Jack delivered major digital transformation programmes in asset-intensive industries, designed innovation programmes with city mayors around the world, raised over £7m in venture capital, hired 50+ and facilitated a further $1.2bn in debt/equity startup financing in market-leading startups.
    Jack Lomas
    Severn Trent
    Emerging Technology Lead - Capital Design and Delivery
    Carolyn joined South West Water as Director of Natural Resources in May 2022. She leads the company’s biodiversity strategy, peatland restoration, and nature recovery programme.  In collaboration with local delivery partners, Carolyn’s team supports farmers and landowners through the “Upstream Thinking” programme to manage land in ways which improve water quality and supply, as well as benefitting wildlife and the businesses’ bottom line. Prior to joining South West Water, Carolyn was Chief Executive of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and also worked in national roles for Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation, and in the South West region for Cornwall Council.
    Carolyn Cadman
    South West Water
    Director of Natural Resources
    Kathleen is an Environmental Analyst at Newfoundland Power, where she has been a vital member of the Environment and Sustainability department since 2021. In this role, Kathleen has built a robust portfolio encompassing environmental stewardship, species at risk, biodiversity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, ISO 14001 system management, and GIS technology. She leads the Environmental Assessment process for capital projects and operations across Newfoundland’s island portion, demonstrating her expertise in navigating the complex and evolving environmental regulatory landscape. Kathleen has played a key role in developing guidelines and industry best practices and has provided consulting on Species at Risk Management and the Canadian Fisheries Act. In just three years, Kathleen has successfully integrated climate change resilience and risk assessment into project planning, driving innovation and fostering collaborative learning. Her efforts to blend technology with environmental stewardship were recently recognized when her team received the Energy Newfoundland & Labrador Innovation in Environmental Sustainability award.
    Kathleen Fillier
    Newfoundland Power
    Environment Analyst
    A senior technology leader and author, Shashin Mishra is the VP of AiDash in EMEA. He has built transformational AI products across industry verticals and co-authored a book on how to build responsible AI. An IIT Kanpur alumnus, Shashin previously led data science practices for a global digital business transformation company and co-founded an IoT startup that performed real-time power distribution grid monitoring. He brings with him experience of enterprise product strategy, scaling teams, and delivering award-winning products.
    Shashin Mishra
    AiDASH
    Vice President of EMEA