Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Huntington Beach, California
Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Mega Energy and Water Event of the Year
Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Huntington Beach, California
Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Mega Energy and Water Event of the Year
Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Huntington Beach, California
Save the date for WE3 Summit 2024
Mega Energy and Water Event of the Year

WE3 SUMMIT

AGENDA

Hyatt regency, Newport Beach, CA

AGENDA SCHEDULE

08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Golf Tournament
6 PM Onwards
WE3 Pre-Event Networking Dinner
Venue
Garden Area
Plaza Ballroom, Hyatt Regency
7:30 AM
Registration Opens
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Setting the Stage for a Sustainable Future Powered by People + AI

Exploring the necessary steps to effectively transition customers, utilities, and industry stakeholders towards a clean energy and water future. This session will delve into the significance of technology and digitalization in the Energy & Water industry. Additionally, it will discuss the immediate requirements and progress to be made in the next 12-24 months. The keynote will highlight the key topics and issues that will be addressed throughout the two-day summit.

Deepak Garg

CEO & Founder

SEW

Jason Rodriguez

CEO

Zpryme

Net Zero and Sustainability: The Energy & Water Transition - Partnering with Customers - Creating a Vision 2030 Model
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Path to Sustainability and Net Zero - Strategies, Opportunities, and Challenges: Insights from Leading Utilities
Customer Keynote

Retha Hunsicker

Vice President,
Customer Experience Design & Solutions

Duke Energy

9:50 AM - 10:25 AM
Industry Insights on the Vision 2030 Engagement Model for Clean Energy, Net Zero, and Sustainability Transition
Panel Session

What is the Vision 2030 Engagement Model for Energy and Water? Have a solid and actionable vision holds immense significance in supporting the global transition towards clean energy, achieving net-zero emissions, and fostering sustainability. In this session, industry experts will share their insights on what this engagement model entails and how it can effectively drive the transition to a clean and sustainable future. Discussions will revolve around collaborative frameworks, role of digital technologies, policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, innovation, and investment strategies. By exploring successful industry practices and highlighting key challenges, this session aims to equip participants with actionable knowledge to align their efforts with the Vision 2030 Engagement Model, accelerating the transition towards a cleaner, net-zero, and sustainable energy landscape.

Jody Allison,

Vice President of Transformation

Liberty Utilities

Retha Hunsicker

Vice President, Customer Experience Design & Solutions.

Duke Energy

James Douglas

EVP, Customer Experience

Alectra Utilities

Cory Ritthaler

Principal

Deloitte Consulting

Darren Brady

Chief Customer Officer

SEW

10:30 AM - 11:10 AM
Preparing Communities for Climate Change Events – Role of Energy Providers and Industry Stakeholders
Panel Session

As climate change increasingly impacts communities around the world, it is crucial to proactively prepare and empower these communities to face climate change events. The role of energy providers and industry stakeholders in educating, engaging, and empowering communities and their citizens is of paramount importance. This session aims to explore the various aspects of this critical role, with a particular focus on the utilization of technology, data, customer engagement, field workforce perspectives, and effective communication for enhancing community preparedness. Attendees will gain insights, practical knowledge, and inspiring examples to drive positive change within their respective communities and organizations.

Lisa Primeggia

Vice President, Manhattan Electric Operations

ConEd

Johnny Johnston

Chief Operating Officer

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp

Blue Jenkins

President

Washington Gas

Michael O'Donnell

SVP & GM

SAP

Deepak Garg

CEO & Founder

SEW

Darren Brady

Chief Customer Officer

SEW

11:10 AM - 11:25 AM
Networking Break
eMobility Transition
What is next for Connecting the Customer and the Grid
11:25 AM - 11:40 AM
Driving eMobility with Customer
CEO Keynote

Brian Bentz

President & CEO

Alectra

11:40 AM - 12:05 PM
The E-Mobility Revolution with People + AI
Fireside Chat

In this session, we will explore the transformative potential of e-mobility in revolutionizing transportation and enhancing the living experience of communities. We will cover the technology, policies, and community engagement surrounding these empowering e-mobility initiatives. The discussion will also dive into strategies and initiatives aimed at pushing e-mobility as a collective effort towards sustainable transportation across interest groups.

Wally Hunter

Managing Director

EnerTech Capital

Mike Zimmer

President

Smart eMobility

KC Boyce

VP

Escalent

Brian Johnson

Manager

Peachtree Corners

12:05 PM - 1:05 PM
Lunch and Networking
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Roundtable

Motive Power Roundtable

Palm Room

Sustainability and ESG in Action:
Driving Positive Change for a Better Future
1:10 PM - 1:45 PM
Driving Positive Change through ESG Practices
Panel Session

In this session, we will delve into the power of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in driving positive change for businesses and society. ESG practices go beyond traditional business metrics, encompassing sustainability, social responsibility, ethical governance, and stakeholder engagement. Through real-world examples and success stories, this session will showcase how organizations have embraced ESG practices to create value, mitigate risks, and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future. Discussions will cover topics such as sustainable business models, diversity and inclusion, climate action, and corporate governance.

Ysni Semsedini
CEO
NT Power

Dawn Roth Lindell

General Manager (CEO)

Burbank water & Power

Nancy Bui Thompson

Board Member

SMUD

George Hunt

Chief Strategy Officer

SEW

Frank Lawson

General Manager

EWEB

Joe Mulligan

Sustainability Industry Principal

SAP

1:50 PM-2:30 PM
SEW Platform Innovations and Launch Announcement

Deepak Garg
CEO & Founder
SEW

2:35 PM - 2:50 PM
WE Pledge! Accelerate Action Now: Inspiring Sustainable Practices and Global Leadership
WE3 Pledge

The WE Pledge! Accelerate Action Now is a call to action for global leaders to commit to the WE3 pledge: Energy + Water, Engage, Educate, and Empower. This pledge aims to inspire, connect, and bring people together to collectively take action and address the climate crisis while striving to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. During this session, attendees will be introduced to the WE3 pledge, which encompasses three key pillars: Energy + Water, Engage, Educate, and Empower. Participants will learn about the specific commitments within each pillar, including engaging in sustainable practices personally and within organizations, actively engaging with local communities and policymakers, continuously educating themselves and others about sustainability, and empowering employees to innovate and implement sustainable solutions.

Deepak Garg

CEO & Founder

SEW

Jason Rodriguez

CEO

Zpryme

3:00 PM - 3:25 PM
Networking Break
The Energy & Water Transition - Partnering with Customers - Creating a Vision 2030 Model
3:30 PM - 3:45PM
Customer Experience Keynote

Thomas Lord
Chief Information Officer
UGI

3:45 PM- 4:10 PM
The Role of Next-Gen Connected Platforms
Panel Session

This session explores the critical role of connected platforms in driving seamless collaboration between customer experience, field workforce, and advanced analytics in the context of achieving net zero emissions, promoting eMobility, fostering sustainability, and enhancing grid resilience. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of a connected platform that integrates data, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) analytics. Discussions will focus on how a unified platform enables organizations to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, optimize resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions for sustainable practices and grid reliability.

Brad Adamske

Chief Growth Officer

SEW

Jordan Baculpo

Principal Program Manager

PG&E

Nakul Bali

Managing Director

PwC

Tony Williams

Vice President

SEW

4:15 PM - 4:40 PM
Putting Customers at the Center: Exploring Digital AI Powered CX Payment Strategies in the Energy and Water Sector
Roundtable

The role of payments within the energy and water industry is rapidly evolving from just paying a water or energy bill, to that of an experience that ties together the customer strategy and offerings a utility is making available to its customers, both today and in the future. This session will enable participants to gain insights from the panelists and share their learnings and strategies as we collectively explore new ways of integrating payment strategies into customer engagement strategies across the energy and water industry.

Matt Edwards

Chief Growth Officer

iPaySmart

Yovanka Daniels

VP of Contact Center

Entergy

Michelle Musgrove,

VP of Customer Experience

Washington Gas

4:45 PM-5:00 PM
CEO Keynote

Guest Speaker

5:00 PM-5:35 PM

Women in Energy: Empowering Diversity and Leadership

Panel Session

The Women in Energy panel discussion aims to shine a spotlight on the important role of women in the energy industry, promote diversity and inclusion, and inspire the next generation of female leaders. This session brings together accomplished women from diverse backgrounds within the energy sector to share their experiences, insights, and strategies for success.

Erin Christy

President, SMB

SEW

Janie Gonzalez

Board Chair

CPS Energy

Lisa Primeggia

Vice President, Manhattan Electric Operations

ConEd

Retha Hunsicker

Vice President, Customer Experience Design & Solutions.

Duke Energy

Utibe Bassey

Vice President, Customer Experience

Dominion Energy

7:00 PM Onwards
WE3 Awards and Dinner
8:30 AM - 8:50 AM
Innovations at the Intersection of Energy and Sustainability
CEO Keynote

Amidst a worldwide move toward decarbonization, electric utilities are playing a pivotal role in shaping a cleaner energy future. While the path to decarbonization is filled with opportunity, electric utilities also face complex challenges driving the need for careful balance, from grid modernization and integration of distributed energy sources to addressing resiliency, reliability and affordability. Join SMUD’s CEO and General Manager Paul Lau as he shares SMUD’s journey and progress toward eliminating all carbon emissions from its power supply by 2030 while staying focused on reliable service and affordable rates and ensuring all communities benefit. Paul will share how innovative partnerships and technology, electrifying neighborhoods and transportation and workforce development are helping bring all communities along.

Paul Lau

GM & CEO

SMUD

8:55 AM - 9:45 AM
Innovative Sustainability Initiatives and Solutions Across the Globe
Panel Session

The session on Innovative Sustainability Initiatives and Solutions Across the Globe will showcase groundbreaking projects, initiatives, and solutions from around the world that are driving sustainability and addressing critical environmental challenges. The session will highlight the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and global cooperation in tackling sustainability issues. Participants will gain insights into emerging trends, best practices, and lessons learned from diverse sustainability initiatives, enabling them to adapt and implement innovative solutions in their own regions or organizations.

Adrian Booth

Senior Partner

McKinsey & Company

Paul Lau

CEO & GM

SMUD

Brian Bentz

President and CEO

Alectra

Abel Didier Tella

General Contractor

Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA)

Sabine Erlinghagen

CEO Grid Software

Siemens

Deepak Garg

CEO & Founder

SEW

Aram Benyamin

COO

LADWP

9:50 AM - 10:05 AM
Future-Proof Utilities- Technology Transformation for Net Zero
Partner Keynote

Ruari Monahan

Global Head Energy & Utilities

Accenture

Innovation in the Global Water Industry
10:10 AM - 10:35 AM
Water Conservation Through Innovative Digital Strategies
Fireside Chat

The Panel Discussion on Water Conservation and Management Strategies brings together experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to delve into the pressing issues surrounding water conservation and effective management practices. The panelists will explore a wide range of topics, including water conservation techniques, water-efficient technologies, demand management strategies, and the role of policy frameworks in promoting water stewardship.

Mark Podorsky

Client Partner

Bridgewater

Sabrina Tsui

Manager of Resource Development and Watershed Management

LADWP

Dylan Lockwood

Sr. Editor

Zpryme

10:35 AM- 10:45 AM
Networking Break
AI for Energy and Water
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Keynote Session

The Extent and Global Impact of AI across Industries

Manoj Kohli

Chairman and Managing Director

MK Knowledge LLP

11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
AI Hour : Exploring the Current State of AI, Cloud, and Emerging Technologies
AI Hour Session 1

Generative AI Discussion - Innovative Use Cases for Energy and Water Industry

This discussion centers on the transition from specialized AI models to versatile solutions for both customer and workforce needs in the Energy and Water industry. How AI driven applications such as data management, driving CX self-sufficiency, optimizing communication strategies, streamlining workforce management, and ensuring security and compliance can be met.

 

  • Discover the digital technologies with the greatest promise for Energy & Water landscape.
  • Gain assessments of every possible use case and learn how to leverage AI/ML technology to strengthen customer experience and empower workforce

Suresh Kotha

CIO

SMUD

Evan O'Mahoney

CIO

CPS Energy

Julia Zhu

EVP, Chief Digital & Innovation Officer

Alectra Utilities

AI Hour Session 2

AI Advancement and Industry Cloud Platform Discussion - A Path to Sustainability and Innovation

Exploring the pivotal role of AI in Distributed Energy Resources and the Renewable Energy sector, this discussion highlights AI's transformative impact on optimizing operations, grid management, and sustainable energy production. Additionally, panelists will also delve into the strategic positioning of Industry Cloud Platforms, emphasizing their role in enhancing customer experiences, fostering innovation, and streamlining operations for sustained success in the digital age.

Fahad Liaqat

Founder

DigiU Australia

Hala Ballouz

President & CEO

EPE

Dan Linder

Cloud Strategy & Operations Manager

SDG&E

Shea Jacqueline K

SVP and Chief Information Officer

New Jersey Resources

Nakul Bali

Advisory Managing Director

PwC

12:10 AM - 12:25 AM
Integration of Sustainability and Technology
Partner Keynote

Manish Anand
Managing Director,Cloud & Digital
PwC

Imran Ilyas
Partner, Cloud and Digital
PwC

12:25 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch and Networking
Workforce Enablement for Grid Resiliency
1:30 PM- 1:45 PM
DERs and People Participation for the Future
Keynote

Larry Bekkedahl
Senior VP, Advanced Energy Delivery
Portland General Electric

1:50 PM- 2:15 PM
Building Customer and Community Resiliency
Panel Session

Power systems are under pressure from multiple directions. Climate change, proliferation of DERs, and new load from electrification are just some of the factors driving investments in grid and infrastructure resiliency. While billions of dollars will (justifiably) be spent on upgrade and maintenance of critical infrastructure, these investments will only take us so far. Industry leaders are beginning to look at resiliency through a different lens- one that puts customers, citizens and communities themselves at the center of their resiliency strategy. Panelists will discuss their vision for community resiliency and what it will mean for their customer and business strategies going forward.

Larry Bekkedahl

Senior VP, Advanced Energy Delivery

Portland General Electric

Jessica Lau

Manager of Energy Storage and Emerging Tech

Xcel Energy

Frankie McDermott

Chief Operating Officer

SMUD

Bob Champagne

Vice President- Customer Experience Innovation

SEW

Teresa Ringenbach

VP of Business Development

Nationwide Energy Partners (NEP)

2:20 PM- 2:35 PM
SEW Amplify - Empowering Customers, Communities and Utilties
 

Learn about the synergy between technology and customer outreach strategies, aimed at elevating people engagement and marketing efforts- Powered by AI. From city utility providers to enterprise-level corporations, SEW has been at the forefront of empowering global utilities in optimizing their marketing initiatives and cultivating deeper customer relationships. With SEW Amplify, we delve into invaluable best practices, unleashing the potential for heightened customer engagement and AI and data-backed outreach efforts.

Ryan Prestel
VP, Strategic Initiatives
SEW

2:40 PM -3:15 PM
Managing Distributed Energy Resources at the Grid Edge
Panel Session

This panel discussion brings together industry executives, experts, and thought leaders to explore strategies, challenges, and best practices for integrating and managing distributed energy resources at scale both from the utility side and at the grid edge. The discussion will delve into topics such as regulatory considerations, grid integration technologies, and business models that enable effective deployment and management of distributed energy resources.

Stefan Zschiegner

Vice President, Product Management, Outcomes

Itron

Bob Smith

EVP, Chief Development Officer and General Counsel

Pinnacle West

James Douglas

EVP, Customer Experience

Alectra Utilities

Ysni Semsedini
CEO
NT Power

Mike Zimmer

President

Smart eMobility

Charting a course to Vision 2030
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Charting a Course to Vision 2030: Way Forward for the Energy and Water Sectors
Panel Session

The session will focus on providing a platform to outline a future-ready action plan and set the vision for both the energy and water sectors' path towards the year 2030 and beyond. Be part of the collaborative effort to define the future of both sectors, develop an actionable roadmap, and establish a clear vision that sets the stage for a sustainable, prosperous, and secure future.

Deepak Garg

CEO & Founder

SEW

George Hunt

Chief Strategy Officer

SEW

3:30 PM-3:40 PM
Closing Remarks: Future Perspectives on Sustainable Energy.
Closing Note

The session will serve as a call to action, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate with SEW in advancing sustainable energy practices and achieving shared goals. Witness the culmination of the summit as SEW reveals its ESG commitments and goals. Discover how SEW plans to make a lasting impact in the energy and water sector, inspiring others to join the journey towards a sustainable and prosperous future. Together, we can create a world with sustainable and secure energy and water ecosystem.

We are Continuing Our Pledge to

Energy and Water

Together, we'll explore the importance of connecting sustainability goals with technology to pave the way for a carbon-free world and shape a sustainable future.

A Look Back On 2022

WE3 Summit

video thumb
Wide Community Spectrum
Shared Experience
Immediate Actions
After-hours fun
Recognitions
Engaging and Interactive Sessions
COMMITTED TO
OUR INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY, AND PLANET
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY
ENGAGE. EMPOWER. EDUCATE.

COMMITMENT IS
AN ACT, NOT A
WORD