Associate Director, Capacity Building, CRDF Global

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field, and any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention.

I came to energy by way of security. After focusing in the first part of my career on WMD-related topics, my perspective grew to include social and economic issues, like climate change and global development, as key security drivers. Energy consistently emerged as a critical issue, and therefore a critical part of any solution. So since at least 2009, when I augmented my economics education with a Certificate in Sustainable Business, I’ve increasingly focused on energy issues.

Since 2010, I’ve been with CRDF Global, where I am now Associate Director of Capacity Building. For nearly six years I have led a team that implements a State Department program to promote strong security culture among technical organizations in partner countries that are enhancing their nuclear power programs.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

It has been particularly gratifying to witness our international partners become knowledgeable, enthusiastic leaders implementing change in their countries and beyond.

In your opinion, what are important economic/policy issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

In the OECD, the shift toward clean energy sources is revolutionary. Integrating intermittent renewable generation into the grid at scale, accommodating distributed generation including through demand response, and reaching greater efficiencies offer a bright, clean potential future. To reach it, we must navigate a fragmented regulatory environment, update business models, minimize stranded infrastructure, and build resilience to natural disasters and cyber security threats alike.

Beyond the OECD, access to electricity likewise promises revolutionary impacts. Electricity accelerates economic development, and impacts women in particular. Expanding access to energy is thus key to a host of extremely positive outcomes, doubly so when the energy is generated via affordable, low-carbon means.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I joined NCAC in 2014. Mark Lively consistently welcomed me into this organization’s events, where I knew no one at first. His friendly smile and reliable presence went far to make this newcomer feel at home.