Speakers

Andrew McNeally holds 18 years of utility experience and is the Manager of Energy Solutions at Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO). He is directly responsible for the administration, contractor management, implementation oversight, marketing, regulatory filing, and reporting of their Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) Plan. Andrew joined UPPCO in 2016 bringing 11 years of utility knowledge from Maine where, in 2012, he supported the cold climate heat pump pilot program that is operated by Efficiency Maine. Andrew’s proficiency and passion for heat pump technology has been a beneficial addition to UPPCO’s EWR Plan, which began being self-administered by UPPCO in January 2018.

Andrew represents UPPCO on the Low-income Energy Waste Reduction Workgroup Steering Committee and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program Workgroup. With a focus on energy efficiency and energy assistance, he has collaborated with Superior Watershed Partnership to provide audits using the US DOE Home Energy Rates System (HERS) and developed UPPCO’s Energy Assistance, Self-sufficiency & Education (EASE) Affordable Payment Program. He continues to look for partnership opportunities to increase the reach of UPPCO’s EWR Plan.

Andrew holds a B.S. from the University of Maine.

Bill is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and is the Environmental Services Director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.  Bill has been part of ITCMI for over 10 years and works with Tribal communities in Michigan on various environmental issues.  He has worked with Tribes in Michigan on coastal management, forest adaptation strategies in regards and ambient air quality.  Bill is also a big advocate for indoor air quality and has worked with Tribal communities throughout Michigan on various indoor air quality issues.  Currently Bill is working with Tribal communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Tribes and Tribal members access funding for energy efficient technologies including heat pumps, geothermal and solar, as well as acess funding to provide weatherization upgrades to Tribal homes and buildings.

"Dr. Tim Boring was appointed by Governor Whitmer on March 27, 2023.  He previously served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Boring's family operates a six generation farm in Stockbridge, Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president and founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement. He also previously served as the Vice President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and worked as research director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. Governor Whitmer had previously appointed Dr. Boring to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience, Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences, and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University."
 

Dr. Kristen Cetin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU).  She is also the Director of the MSU Industrial Assessment Center (IAC). The MSU IAC is a U.S. Department of Energy-funded center. In collaboration with Henry Ford College and Michigan Tech, this Center focuses on improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of small manufacturing and commercial buildings across the state of Michigan, through conducting no-cost assessments of approximately 30 sites per year. 

Dr. Cetin is a registered professional engineer. She leads a diverse research group dedicated to advancing smart infrastructure system research and education. Her research group's work focuses on the investigation of the performance of buildings, building systems, and other infrastructure and the development of solutions to improve the energy performance, efficiency, and energy demand contributions of the built environment.

Drew Coleman is the Senior Director of MichAuto at the Detroit Regional Chamber, leading the development and implementation of talent initiatives for the MichAuto program in close collaboration with the Chamber’s education and talent team. Coleman also oversees the overall implementation of MichAuto’s key pillars of advocacy and next-gen mobility as well as the research, convening, events, and marketing efforts of the program. Coleman joined the Chamber team in July 2022. Prior to joining the Chamber, Coleman spent 10 years with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation leading the State of Michigan’s foreign direct investment program and business attraction strategy. Coleman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alma College as well as earned his MBA from Davenport University. Coleman earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification through the National Development Council and in 2024 participated in the Young American Leaders Program at the Harvard Business School. Coleman currently serves on the board of the Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative and is a Senior Advisor to the Council on Future Mobility and Electrification.

As Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, Hilary leads the state’s efforts to grow Michigan’s population, economy, and reputation as the best place to live, work, raise a family and start a business.

Rachael Eubanks was appointed as Michigan’s 47th State Treasurer by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in January of 2019. She is committed to bringing creativity, collaboration, and commitment to identify and implement solutions to some of Michigan’s greatest challenges. She does this while also building upon Treasury’s culture of service to Michiganders, through continuous improvement and employee engagement, which are the foundation of Treasury’s mission to provide fair and efficient financial services on behalf of taxpayers, governments, students, and all Michiganders, for the long-term fiscal health and stability of our state.
In 2016 she was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder (and reappointed in 2017) to serve on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) as a utility regulatory commissioner. In that capacity she reviewed and voted on hundreds of orders that helped shape Michigan’s energy future. In particular, the Commission had regulatory oversight over the implementation of two comprehensive energy law changes during her tenure. She served on several national organizations, including being elected as Vice President to the Organization of PJM States, Inc., and was on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, where she was Chair of the Supplier and Workforce Development Subcommittee.
Prior to that role, Treasurer Eubanks structured more than $25 billion in bond financings for public entities–primarily the state of Michigan, State Building Authority, Michigan Finance Authority, and the Michigan Strategic Fund. Treasurer Eubanks also served as point of contact for credit rating agencies on state credit matters for 10 years. 
Treasurer Eubanks is an active member of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), selected as Secretary-Treasurer, and serving on the Board of Directors, NAST Foundation Board, Policy and Advocacy Committee, and the Program & Learning Committee. In her role as Secretary-Treasurer, she also serves as the Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. She was on the Board of Michigan Women in Finance from 2008-2013 and was elected Treasurer and President.
She obtained her bachelor’s in economics from the University of Michigan.
The State Treasurer is also a member of the following boards and commissions:
• Michigan Education Trust, Chair
• Michigan State Finance Authority
• Michigan State Housing Development Authority
• Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board
• Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation Corporate Board
• Michigan Strategic Fund, Vice Chair
• State of Michigan Investment Board
• State of Michigan Retirement Board
• Michigan State Police Retirement Board
• State Administrative Board
• Michigan Legislative Retirement System
• Mackinac Bridge Authority
• Detroit Financial Review Commission
• Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Governing Board
• Michigan Law Officers’ Monument Memorial Fund Commission
• Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification

Rev. Dr. Monique French is an esteemed leader and community advocate, currently serving as the Pastor/Director of Washington Heights United Methodist Church & Community (WHUMCC) in Battle Creek, MI, as well as Calhoun County Commissioner for District 2. A proud Flint, MI native, Dr. French possesses a multifaceted academic background with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Community and Agency Counseling from Troy University, Montgomery, Alabama. She furthered her theological education by earning a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, and was honored with a Doctor of Divinity from Elbon-Solutions College of Ministry in Victorville, CA.

Dr. French brings over 15 years of rich experience in the social services arena, where she has held impactful roles such as Medical Case Manager and Part D Coordinator in HIV/AIDS care, Medication Adherence Specialist, and Job Development Specialist with Goodwill Industries in Montgomery, Alabama. Her expertise extends to therapeutic counseling, where she provided vital support through Brackett Therapeutic Counseling Services. An advocate for youth development, Dr. French has initiated and executed various programs that range from motivational seminars to performing arts initiatives.

Her ministry career commenced in 2002 in Verbena, Alabama under the mentorship of Pastor Sammie L. Nelms. Following her licensing to preach by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2004, she made significant contributions to New Harvest Baptist Church in Flint, MI, serving as Assistant Pastor and fostering numerous educational and support initiatives. Dr. French has also held pastoral positions at Faith United Methodist Church in Flint, State Street United Methodist Church in Saginaw, and Breckenridge United Methodist Church in Breckenridge, where she actively participated in ecumenical clergy networks.

At Washington Heights United Methodist Church, Dr. French has established the institution as the “Hub of H.O.P.E.” — Helping Other People Excel. Under her stewardship, WHUMCC has gained recognition for delivering essential life services, enhancing living conditions, and adopting a comprehensive approach to community development. She is a firm believer in the unique purpose and gifts endowed by God to each individual, empowering others to fulfill their life missions and make meaningful contributions to society.

CNN Hero Top 10 finalist and 2024 USA Today Woman of the Year, Shamayim ‘Mama Shu’ Harris, is the founder and CEO of Avalon Village in Highland Park, MI. She is a mother, a community activist, and a former school administrator, who served Detroit schools for 27+ years. Her dream of building this urban oasis was manifested after the tragic loss of her son, Jakobi RA, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2007 at the age of two.
 
In 2021, the unthinkable happened. She lost another child when her 23-year-old son Chinyelu was murdered on January 26.
 
Rather than fall into despair, Shu chose to heal and honor the memory of her sons by transforming "Blight to Beauty"™ and creating something wonderful for the people of Highland Park. She assembled a team of engineers, futurists, artists, urban farmers, volunteers, and donors from around the world who are helping to build Avalon Village, a sustainable eco-village on Avalon Street between Woodward Avenue and Second. The village currently owns 40+ parcels of land and 6 houses with plans to acquire more property as the organization grows.
 
These vacant, blighted lots and structures are being brought back to life as the Homework House (an after-school learning and activity center for neighborhood children), the Goddess Marketplace (an economic development initiative for women entrepreneurs), the Healing House (a center for holistic healing), a healthy cafe, activity courts, greenhouses, a micro-library and more.
 
This unique community building project has received local, national, and international media attention on The Ellen Show, Tamron Hall Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, the Today Show, People Magazine, The New York Times, Huffington Post, Crain’s, Fast Company, SEEN Magazine and many other publications in Detroit and beyond. Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres even gifted Mama Shu with a prefabricated house which now serves as The Village Hall, the headquarters of Avalon Village.
 
Shu served as the first female chaplain with the Highland Park Police Department. She was the Chairwoman of the Highland Park Charter Commission, charged with helping shape the city’s future. In addition, she served as Vice President of the Highland Park Housing Commission and was President of the Highland Park Board of Education. Presently she is a member of The Michigan Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She received the Let Freedom Ring Award and numerous other local and national awards for her work.
 
Mama Shu has dedicated her life to serving the people (especially the children and elders) in her community.  She has demonstrated that one person truly can make a difference, even against seemingly impossible odds.  She inspires others to live without fear and follow their dreams.  Mama Shu has become a symbol of hope, peace and resilience in Highland Park, Detroit and around the world. 

Katie completed her M.S. in Environmental Policy with a focus on environmental justice from Michigan Technological University in 2005. Soon after graduation she began working for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) where she worked for 11 years as an Environmental Specialist. Her work with KBIC, a tribal government, focused on environmental policy and program development including various environmental disciplines such as water quality, air quality, waste management, brownfields, and human and environmental health. Katie was hired in January 2018 for her current position as Environmental Justice and Tribal Liaison with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Kate Madigan owns Madigan Consulting, where she focuses on climate and energy advising and program development. She is working with 5 Lakes Energy to support Michigan communities and tribes access funding for clean energy and climate projects. 

For over 20 years, Kate led nonprofit work related to climate, environment, and justice, including as the Executive Director of the Michigan Climate Action Network and cofounder of the Oil & Water Don't Mix coalition. 

Kate has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and a Master of Arts degree in international and intercultural management from the School for International Training. Originally from the Detroit area, Kate now lives in Traverse City.

Jane McCurry is the Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to accelerating Michigan’s transition to clean transportation. Jane is also appointed to the Michigan Council on Future on Mobility and Electrification.

Pratik Raval serves as chief sustainability officer at Fifth Third Bank. He leads the sustainability office which is responsible for the Bank’s corporate sustainability strategy, $100B in sustainable finance and stewardship, sustainable community solutions, and nonfinancial reporting and disclosures. The sustainability office is also a lead collaborator for management and business integration of Bank’s climate and reputational risks.

Pratik brings more than 20 years of global experience in sustainability, corporate strategy, enterprise project management, financial product and service innovation, and technology integration. Before joining Fifth Third in 2023, he held leadership positions at Tata Consultancy Services (USA), American Express (USA), Transsolar ClimateEngineering (USA & Germany) and Mercedes Benz Group (Germany). He also taught as a visiting lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for many years.

Pratik earned a master’s degree in computational engineering from Germany and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from India.

The Consulting Report has recognized Pratik as one of the Top 25 Sustainability Leaders, the CEO Magazine Global has named him among the Top 20 Thought Leaders in Sustainability worldwide, and The World Economic Forum has recognized him an Expert in sustainability development, climate change and innovation."
 

Julie is the Assistant Division Director for the Materials Management Division (MMD) within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and Director of the State Energy Program. She is responsible for overseeing energy, pollution prevention, and recycling grant and technical assistance programs. Programs range from energy efficiency and renewable energy, food waste reduction, recycling infrastructure, the electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state and includes establishing program objectives, goals, and priorities, and determining operating policies and implementing methods within the context of federal, EGLE, and MMD policies, procedures, and guidelines. Julie also coordinates the Catalyst Communities Initiative.        Born and raised in Michigan, Julie lived in Alaska for 18 years where she received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast. She and her husband have 4 children, and spend as much time as possible outdoors hiking, camping, skiing, gardening, and raising chickens on their fledgling homestead. Julie is passionate about working with communities and businesses to meet them where they are on their decarbonization journey and to help them prepare for a sustainable future.

Sally Talberg has over 25 years in energy policy and regulation in the public and private sectors.   Sally is president and CEO of Michigan Saves, the nation's first nonprofit green bank.  Sally also serves on the New York Independent System Operator Board of Directors and chairs the Board’s Reliability and Markets Committee.

Sally served on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) from 2013 through 2020 during a time of significant transformation of the state’s energy and telecommunications industries, with over four years as chair. As a commissioner, Sally served on numerous state, regional, and national boards and committees addressing electricity, natural gas, oil, infrastructure, and telecommunications issues. She oversaw the MPSC's successful implementation of bipartisan energy reform laws and spearheaded MI Power Grid, a regulatory reform initiative to support the transition to clean, distributed energy resources. Prior to the MPSC, Sally was a senior consultant at Public Sector Consultants where she helped establish Michigan Saves. She also served as a commission policy advisor at the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the MPSC.

Sally holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Studies from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

Matthew J. Wagner is Manager of Renewable Energy Development for DTE Energy, a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Currently Wagner’s main areas of development focus include overall community engagement, wildlife, and permitting. Previously Wagner and his team managed various aspects of wind and solar development, including overall project site selection, design, land easements, wind resource information, environmental and wildlife studies, various aspects of communications and community relations, and landowner care. Wagner has worked in the renewables space since 2006. DTE Energy Wagner worked on DTE’s environmental management team, where he led personnel responsible for the company’s environmental compliance beginning in 1994.

Prior to joining DTE Energy, Wagner worked as an environmental consultant for Delta Environmental Consultants in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and ENCOTEC, Inc. an Ann Arbor, Michigan based company. Wagner began his career at the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Automotive Emissions and Fuel Economy Lab, also in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wagner has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from the Pennsylvania State University (1984), and a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Michigan (1991). Wagner is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan."

Scott Whitcomb directs the newly formed Office of Public Lands in the Michigan DNR, where he works on a variety of priority initiatives, including renewable energy, public lands and natural climate solutions. He holds degrees in Wildlife from Michigan State University and the University of Maine.  He is a 25-year veteran of the Michigan DNR having served in Wildlife, Forest Resources and Executive Divisions.