A collective of brilliant, generous leaders

U2030 is not a traditional industry association or consulting firm. It is a human-centered leadership collaborative designed to strengthen the people carrying transformation inside utilities.

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2020–2030

A decade of focus: the intention behind our name

When we founded the Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030) in 2020, the utility industry was entering one of the most complex transformations in its history. Rather than framing that future as an endless, overwhelming journey, we chose a clear horizon: 2030.

The name reflects our belief that meaningful transformation happens in focused sprints, not in a bottomless timeline of change.

Our goal is to help leaders make real progress over a decade, building the relationships, ideas, and leadership capacity needed to move the industry forward.

update

As we approach our 2030 milestone, our organization will evolve again, updating our name and brand to reflect the next chapter of utility leadership.

What We Stand For

U2030 values

This is what we believe. This is how we lead. This is how we show up - every day.

HUMAN FIRST

Leadership starts with people - leading with empathy, honesty, and real connection in everything we do.

BELONGING

Everyone belongs - creating space where people feel seen, respected, and valued from the moment they show up.

EXPERTISE

Experience matters - bringing real-world insight, perspective, and clarity to help leaders navigate complexity and drive meaningful change.

INTEGRITY

Do what’s right - showing up with honesty, consistency, and the courage to follow through, even when it’s hard.

CONNECTION

Connection is intentional - creating space for real conversations, shared experiences, and relationships that last when it matters most.

SUSTAINABILITY

Build what lasts-making decisions today that create long-term value, planting trees whose shade you may never sit in.

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I didn’t expect to feel this kind of connection in a room full of people from such different backgrounds and perspectives. We’re solving real problems – together – and at the same time, people can just be themselves. That combination is powerful and extremely uncommon.

— U2030 Member

“

When I lost my executive role at my utility, the silence from most of my network was noticeable. U2030 is truly a “friend” in every sense of the word. Their executive team reached out before anyone else with encouragement, introductions, and real help. It wasn’t transactional. It was true empathy at work. And it made a lasting impact on me.

— U2030 Member

“

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.

— Doug Larson

Our origin story

U2030 was born from a candid industry conversation between our founder and a C-level utility executive: leaders don't need more vendor dinners or transactional networking; they need a trusted, collaborative space to speak honestly about what's hard, what's possible, and what's next.

That insight shaped our DNA. From the beginning, we built U2030 by listening first - to utility executives, emerging leaders, and partners navigating real-world complexity. Every program, council, and experience is grounded in what the industry says it needs, not what outsiders assume it wants.

Launched in 2020, amid a global pandemic, people assumed U2030's story would end before it got traction. But we doubled down on what our industry leaders needed then and now: adaptable human-centered leadership support.

Future Outlook

Where we're headed

We’re building toward a future where utility leaders aren’t navigating transformation in isolation - but as part of a connected, cross-company leadership system that sets the standard for the industry. More utilities. More leaders. Shared values. Shared progress. And a clear path to what’s next - including the evolution of our name and platform to reflect this next chapter.

30+ member companies strong and growing

Who We Are

U2030 leadership teams

U2030 isn't a program or a platform – we are people: leaders who show up without pretense, speak honestly about what's really happening, and support one another through the good and the bad.

Across organizations and backgrounds, U2030 is a trusted community coming together to solve real challenges, grow as leaders, and open doors for one another - personally and professionally. Whether navigating change, identifying the right partners, building confidence, or simply having a place to be seen and supported, what makes U2030 unique is the genuine care leaders have for each other, our industry, and the future - and the belief that we lead better together.

Executive Leadership Team

Vanessa Edmonds

Founder & CEO

Vanessa Edmonds helps utility leaders navigate transformation through leadership development, strategic thinking, and human-centered learning. As the architect behind U2030's Learning Experience Design (LXD) methodology, she is known for creating highly engaging leadership experiences that challenge participants to think differently, build meaningful relationships, and apply new insights to real-world business challenges. A sought-after facilitator, speaker, and advisor, Vanessa partners with utilities to develop leaders, accelerate organizational change, and strengthen connections among employees, customers, and communities. She believes lasting transformation occurs when leaders build confidence, deepen trust, and expand their capacity to lead through complexity. Vanessa is also the author of the upcoming book Women Holding the Line, which explores the experiences of women leading critical infrastructure through crisis and transformation.

Chris Hilborn

Partner & Advisor

Chris is a recognized leader in customer experience, community impact, and operational excellence. With executive leadership experience spanning utilities, healthcare, and telecommunications, he helps organizations better understand customer needs, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and create experiences that build trust and long-term value. Known for combining analytical rigor with a deep commitment to people, Chris specializes in helping organizations leverage customer insights, data, and innovation to improve performance and enhance customer and employee experiences. His practical approach focuses on turning complex challenges into meaningful opportunities for growth, impact, and service excellence.

Gretchen Stanford

Partner & Advisor

Gretchen helps utility organizations lead enterprise transformation, strengthen culture, and build the leadership capacity required for long-term success. With more than two decades of utility experience, including serving as Chief Transformation Officer for the City of Fort Collins, she brings deep expertise in organizational effectiveness, workforce transformation, change management, and customer experience. Recognized for her authentic leadership style and ability to connect strategy with execution, Gretchen helps leaders navigate complex challenges while never losing sight of the people behind the work. She is passionate about helping organizations build cultures that embrace change, unlock innovation, and create lasting impact for employees, customers, and communities.

Internal Team

Judy Murphy

Leadership Circles

A collective of brilliant, generous leaders

A decade of focus: the intention behind our name

U2030 values

HUMAN FIRST

BELONGING

EXPERTISE

INTEGRITY

CONNECTION

SUSTAINABILITY

Our origin story

Where we're headed

U2030 leadership teams

Executive Leadership Team

Vanessa Edmonds

Chris Hilborn

Gretchen Stanford

Internal Team

Erin Autin

Matt Chester

Isaac Edmonds

Malia Edmonds

Sandy Isho

Judy Murphy

Marty Reese

Sofia Rowey

Bill G. Williams

Executive Leadership Council

Ahmad Ababneh

Jody Allison

Ajit Apte

Andrea Blomquist

Brandy Bolden

Chimaobi Chijioke

Cheryl Davis

Doneen Hobbs

Zoraya Oliver-Griffin

Joseph Ramallo

Mandip Samra

Stephanie Schiradi

Bobbi Schroeppel

Steven Singh

Sean Vanslyke

Carol Wallace

Dawn White

Advisory Committee

Coy Althoff

Lori St. Aubin

David Bradford

Bashir Bseirani

Theresa Burch

Rob Caiello

Armando Casillas

Christy Dray

Trisha Elizondo

Samantha Hart

Nicole Howard

Becky Ivester

Latasha James

Katy Liddell

Jessi Marcoff

Christine Miles

Theresa Robey

Brittany Ross

Dwight Scruggs

Elizabeth Sedlacek

Dan Tunnicliff

Shana Williams

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