WCS Talks 2024 Presenters
SPEAKERS
Wade Bitaraf
Founder of Energy & Sustainability practice
Wade founded the Energy & Sustainability practice at Plug and Play, the largest corporate innovation center and active early-stage investor. He works with entrepreneurs, corporate innovation leaders, and investors, focusing on the energy industry value chain. Wade has a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. He previously worked in solar, published scientific articles, and led business development in a startup. His passion is at the intersection of technology and business.
Ivy Chaudhuri
Indian School of Business
Ivy is currently pursuing the prestigious Post Graduate Programme in Management at the Indian School of Business. As the Vice-President of the Energy and Sustainability Club here, she has been a passionate advocate of sustainable energy solutions propelling India’s decarbonization journey, circular economy, and inclusive growth.
Prior to joining ISB, Ivy garnered 4 years of professional experience in various domains of the Renewable Energy Sector. After passing out of the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, she started her career at the manufacturing plant of Vikram Solar – India’s Tier-1 Solar Module Manufacturing Firm. As a Product Manager, she has worked extensively on product lifecycle development for solar modules (Half-cut, Bifacial, Smart PV modules) and led several firm building initiatives. Subsequently, she transitioned to Enphase Energy- a global Energy Technology and Management Firm, to work on the Home Energy Management system and has led market expansion strategies for the Battery Energy Storage Devices across North America, EMEA and APAC ,solidifying her business know-how specific to an emerging market. Outside of work, she is a big-time travel enthusiast and has experience in sustainable tourism startups.
Jodi Guthrie
President
Jodi is the President of SET Consulting, LLC. She gained experience in launching new concepts, manufacturing, cross-border trade, and business ownership at Leading Technologies.
In 1999, Jodi moved to British Columbia, Canada, and became a single mother of three. In 2021, she managed sales for a US company expanding into Western Canada and eventually became the manager of sales and key accounts for all of Canada.
Jodi joined SHARC Energy, a small manufacturer of sewer heat recovery technology, and became the Global Director of Sales. She established SET Consulting, LLC to support WET District Energy Public/Private partnerships. The company is currently reviewing initial programs in Washington State, Canada, Poland, and Australia.
Jodi works independently to create sewer heat recovery programs and pilot sites through public/private partnerships.
Andrea Johnson
Executive Director
Since 2016, Andrea has combined her background in Oregon’s clean energy sector, international experience in conservation and community development, and academic studies to advance Green Empowerment’s mission and impact.
As a working executive with two young children, she is committed to creating an organization where people can grow professionally, have a positive impact in the world and establish a healthy work-life integration. In 2023, Andrea was awarded Executive of the Year in Social Impact from the Portland Business Journal. In 2022, Andrea delivered a TEDx Talk Shifting Power For a More Equitable World in Fiesole, Italy. She is also a co-founder of GlobalPDX, and is the voice of their Speaking Change podcast showcasing Oregon’s global changemakers.
Kellie Macpherson
Executive Vice President – Compliance & Risk
As the Executive Vice President of Compliance & Risk at Radian Generation, Kellie oversees NERC compliance and managed security services. For over 15 years, she has been a noteworthy leader in the renewable asset space and began working on NERC compliance in 2007 when the standards became mandatory.
You may recognize Kellie as she has implemented 200+ compliance programs and completed 40+ NERC audits in all six NERC regions. In addition, there are under 10 NERC CIP Medium GOP compliant control centers operating solar facilities in the United States, she is responsible for establishing three of them.
Kellie is motivated by the belief that understanding the standards is first step to success and it is how she focuses and guides her team. She takes what seems complex and demonstrates its simplicity; first with her team and ultimately the client.
Olubamise Onabanjo
ESG analyst
Bamise is an ESG analyst at Morrison Foerster in San Francisco. She researches and analyzes ESG regulations, develops compliance policies for clients, and integrates ESG diligence in investment and M&A.
Oluwabamise is a Nigerian-trained attorney with experience in law and public policy. She advises clients on environmental and social obligations. She received her L.L.M. from Duke University in 2021, where she was awarded the Judy Horowitz Scholarship and served as the L.L.M. 2021 Commencement Speaker. Oluwabamise holds an undergraduate degree from Babcock University, where she was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2016.
Niloofar Torabi
Director of Hardware Engineering, Nextracker Inc.
Niloofar is an electrical engineer with expertise in power systems. Her work focuses on improving the efficiency of power grid systems. She has developed methods to detect and eliminate DC injection, and has worked on reactance-injecting modules that balance currents in electric power transmission. Her patents and work demonstrate a commitment to advancing technology in power electronics and electric power transmission.
Esther Unti
Vehicle Controls at Lucid Motors
Esther joined Lucid Motors in 2019 after graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She founded a vehicle controls calibration team and is responsible for shaping the driving experience of all Lucid vehicles. Esther co-founded the Women@Lucid group and spearheaded software development for the Lucid Air Sapphire. Her internships at Tesla and leadership in the Formula SAE team at Cal Poly make her an integral part of the Lucid team, inspiring women along the way.
MODERATORS
Sara Fuentes
Founder, Smart Waste
Sara Fuentes is the founder and President of Smart Waste, a minority women owned and operated start up with a focus on waste technologies, waste systems and vendor management for Zero waste programs. With 10 years of experience in the Waste and Recycling Industry, Sara is a leader in abating waste her core values of transparency, circularity and people impact communities to practice a zero waste lifestyle.
A passionate advocate for women and a tenacious leader, Sara is setting out to alter the cleantech landscape and finding her own niche. Sara draws on her experience working as an educator and Vice-Chair of the Women in CleanTech and Sustainability organization, where she is a beloved mentor. Sara is always looking to connect with people and companies that are in alignment with her values and goals.
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Founder, WCS
Lisa Ann Pinkerton is the founder of Women In Cleantech & Sustainability, a San Francisco Bay Area group dedicated to the advancement of women in various environmental and technology sectors. She is also Founder and President of Technica Communications, where she handles marketing, social media, content production and public relations for cleantech and biotech startups.
Additionally, Lisa Ann is Co-Founder and Marketing Chair for the Global Cleantech Cluster Association, an international speaker and moderator and documentary filmmaker. Lisa Ann is a former award-winning broadcast journalist who reported for National Public Radio, PBS Television, WPXI-NBC, American Public Media, and Free Speech TV.