avertra Named Headline Sponsor of U2030’s ENERGIZE Retreat 2026

Charleston, SC — April 22, 2026 — Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030) is proud to announce avertra as the Headline Sponsor of the 2026 ENERGIZE Retreat, taking place April 22, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina.

avertra was U2030’s very first member when the organization was founded in 2020. This headline sponsorship reflects a partnership that has continued to deepen as utilities confront increasingly complex transformation challenges—operational, technological, cultural, and human.

For years, avertra has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with utility leaders navigating the pressures of affordability, resilience, and a changing workforce. This deep immersion led to MiCustomer: a purpose-built digital experience platform engineered to transform utility operations at their core.

By weaving together strategy, science, and advanced technology into a unified experience fabric, MiCustomer strips away legacy complexity. The result is a simpler, more intuitive path forward that prioritizes human connection and simplifies life for both the employees and the communities they serve.

“avertra didn’t just join U2030 early—they helped shape what this community has become.” said Vanessa Edmonds, Founder & CEO of U2030. “Their commitment to investing in leadership—not just technology—is exactly what utilities need right now. We are thrilled to have avertra as the headline sponsor of ENERGIZE 2026.”

About the ENERGIZE Retreat

As utilities navigate rapid change driven by technology, regulation, and rising expectations, leaders are being asked to adapt faster than ever. While AI and advanced systems are transforming how work gets done, the most critical elements of leadership remain human—judgment, empathy, trust, and courage under pressure.

The ENERGIZE Retreat is an immersive leadership experience designed to strengthen these capabilities. It provides utility leaders with a trusted space to step back, speak candidly, and leave with renewed clarity, confidence, and leadership resolve in an increasingly complex environment.

Featured ENERGIZE Session: Bashir Bseirani & the JanisseBot Panel

A highlight of the 2026 retreat is a featured session led by Bashir Bseirani, avertra’s CEO, exploring the next phase of U2030’s AI leadership experiments, including JanisseBot—an AI leadership companion modeled on the decision-making patterns and leadership philosophy of Janisse Quiñones, CEO of LADWP, and created by avertra.

April 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 1:45 PMMeet the JanisseBot: Phase 2 of the ChimaBot Experiment

This panel and demonstration examines AI digital twins, ethics, and crisis leadership—clarifying where AI adds value through speed, pattern recognition, and insight, and where human judgment, accountability, and values must lead. Participants leave with a grounded understanding of AI as an input to leadership, not an authority over it.

Panelists include Janisse Quiñones, JanisseBot (AI Bot created by avertra), and members of the LADWP executive team, including Kendall Helm and Zoraya Oliver-Griffin.

"Utilities are the backbone of society, and they deserve leadership that is as authentic as it is intelligent. We don’t use AI to replace the human element; we use it to liberate it so leaders can focus on the decisions that matter to millions. We are proud to continue our investment in the U2030 vision, marrying data-driven science with the deep human connection required to advance this industry.” -Bashir Bseirani - CEO/CTO, avertra

About avertra

avertra is a global digital experience company founded in 2007 with a mission to simplify life through intelligent human-driven experiences. With over 20 years of deep utility expertise, avertra empowers highly regulated, citizen-centric industries to reimagine operations through seamless customer and employee experiences. Operating across 4 continents, avertra serves clients across utilities, banking, logistics, retail, and government.

About Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030)

The Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030) is a professional community of utility leaders dedicated to shared growth—personal, professional, and organizational.

Through Corporate Memberships and Advisory Services, we offer the industry’s only holistic suite of leadership and organizational transformation experiences. Designed for individuals and teams, we spark personal insights, strengthen professional skills, and make the job of leading through change easier, more connected, and more rewarding.

Together, we make better decisions, achieve stronger outcomes, and grow as empathetic, impactful leaders—creating a ripple effect that redefines how utilities and solution providers serve people and the planet for generations to come.

Press Contact

Isaac Edmonds

iedmonds@utility2030.org