The 2024 SPARK Annual Meeting, held September 16-18, 2024, in Nashville, exuded an atmosphere of generous and courageous leadership infused with solution discovery and fun. Moderators Chima Chijioke and Chris Hilborn set a lively tone by comparing various leadership styles from popular culture, including Michael Scott from The Office and Ross Swanson from Parks and Recreation, with their personal favorite, Ted Lasso.
In addition to the “Learn More” resources hyperlinked below, all session decks are available to U2030 members on the U2030 Collective Brain Platform.
Community Service Projects
In line with the theme of generosity, the meeting kicked off with two impactful community service projects sponsored by Milepost:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Project in Lebanon, TN: Participants engaged in hands-on support for a local ReStore, which helps fund housing projects through thrift sales.
Care Packages for Residents of Berkshire Homes: Attendees assembled care packages for local residents, fostering a welcoming spirit and community connections.
Learn More: U2030 & Milepost Partner to Reopen ReStore with Habitat for Humanity During SPARK Meeting (utility2030.org)
Fireside Chats
Two engaging fireside chats highlighted innovative thinking in the industry:
Welcome to Nashville & Innovating for Tomorrow
Speakers: Teresa Broyles-Aplin and Brent Baker of NES, and Ram Kasarla (I3 Vertical)
Key Takeaways: Emphasis on collaborative innovation to tackle future challenges in utilities.
Learn More: Innovating for Tomorrow: NES & i3 Verticals Shed Light on the Future at U2030 Annual SPARK Meeting (utility2030.org)
Shaking Things Up as the New CEO of LADWP
Speakers: Janisse Quiñones (LADWP), Vanessa Edmonds (U2030)
Key Takeaways: Insight into transformative leadership in utility management during transitional times.
Learn more: Green Olympics 2028, the Nation’s Only Utility Earn & Learn Program, and Innovative Support for Vulnerable Communities: Fireside Chat with Janisse Quiñones on the Future of LADWP (utility2030.org)
Panel Discussions
The panel discussions at SPARK offered valuable insights:
Progress on U2030’s Vision & Roadmap
Speakers: U2030 team
Key Takeaways: Updates on U2030’s mission and vision to put people at the center of utility and innovation initiatives including foreshadowing a new leadership development program for women that was announced that evening at the Women Who SPARK Awards Gala.
New Strategies for Developing a Culture of Transformative Leadership
Speakers: Kay Fuhrman (Heidrick & Struggles), Sean Vanslyke (SEMO Electric), Frankie McDermott (SMUD), Luke Peterson (Hibbing PUC), Jay Stowe (U2030 & Stowe Utility Group)
Key Takeaways: Strategies for fostering a culture that embraces change and innovation.
Learn More: Sean Vanslyke, Frankie McDermott, Luke Peterson, Kay Fuhrman & Jay Stowe Discussing the Power of Transformative Leadership Culture (utility2030.org)
Breaking Stereotypes: Seniors Speak on Payment & Technology Preferences
Panelists: Karen Williams, Tricia Edmonds, Joaquina Martinez, Melvin Fowler; Moderator: Nick Oettinger (InvoiceCloud)
Key Takeaways: Valuable insights into the preferences and needs of senior utility customers.
Learn More: U2030 Partners with InvoiceCloud to Challenge Assumptions About Senior Customers at Annual SPARK Meeting (utility2030.org)
Kinesthetic Learning Activities
A lively Utility Feud, moderated by Dwight Scruggs (Cinch Home Services), featured teams from NES and Georgia Power debating AI's role in the industry.
Ignite Talks: Enlighten Us, But Make it Quick
The Ignite Talks showcased 5-minute rapid-fire presentations aimed at quick learning and buy-in:
Strengthening Customer Relationships through Innovation & Regional Collaboration
Speaker: Dave Kohn (CDWM)
Leadership Fortitude: Overcoming Challenges through Resilience
Speaker: Annalee Larsen (City of Provo)
Meeting Utilities' Unexpected Needs
Speaker: Paul Applegate (InvoiceCloud)
Adapting Training Programs for a Multigenerational Workforce
Speaker: Roland Hammork (PG&E)
Powering Customer Engagement with Oracle's Software Solutions and AI
Speaker: Dan Tunnicliff (Opower at Oracle)
Empowering Change through ComEd's CX & Operational Excellence
Speaker: Vanessa Morrissette (ComEd)
The Case for Staying Connected After SPARK
Speaker: Christina Corcoran (U2030)
Impromptu Session
Speaker: Samantha Hart (Milepost)
Left Brain Research Study
Mike Smith (U2030) and Audra Drazga (Energy Central) presented preliminary findings from our annual research study, "Transformative Leadership at the Intersection of Customers & Operations.".
Key Takeaways: The importance of customer engagement and integrated operations in driving the success of utilities amid the ongoing energy and water transitions, drawing insights from 50 survey responses and 12 interviews with utility leaders. Key findings emphasize the need for effective change management and the emergence of distributed energy markets to reshape leadership strategies in the sector.
Learn More: Subscribe to monthly newsletter and be the first to know when the final research study is available.
CoE Sessions
Three Centers of Excellence (CoE) sessions provided targeted discussions on topics that are important to the future of the utility enterprise:
CX CoE Session: Partnering with Customers in a Constrained Energy & Water Environment
Moderator: Dan Tunnicliff (Oracle); Panelists: Marci Westlake (TMWA), Tim McAreavey (Omaha Public Power District)
Key Takeaways: Strategies for customer engagement in resource-constrained contexts.
Energy Transition CoE Session: A Great Relationship — Technology and the Energy Transition
Moderator: Jason Rodriguez (Zpryme); Panelists: Kerri Carnes (APS), Daniel Hanks (NES), Allegra Hodges (Portland GE)
Key Takeaways: The critical role of technology in navigating the energy transition.
Emergency Preparedness & Communications CoE Session: Fine Tuning Emergency Preparedness & Response
Moderator: Mike Smith (U2030); Panelists: Guy Payne (SnoPUD), Jason Stott (Georgia Power Company), Everett Stuckless (ENMAX)
Key Takeaways: Enhancing emergency response strategies through collaborative practices.
Futures Thinking Workshop
Facilitated by Jod Kaftan and Kim Grego of Oracle, this hands-on workshop aimed to cultivate forward-thinking strategies within the industry, encouraging participants to anticipate and navigate future challenges.
Learn More: News: Oracle & U2030 Partner for Second Trailblazing Futures Thinking Workshop (utility2030.org)
Women Who SPARK Awards Ceremony & Sessions
The Women Who SPARK Program, now in its third year, honored remarkable contributions to innovation and mentorship.
Awards Gala
The awards ceremony, moderated by Jody Allison (Liberty Utilities), Janisse Quiñones (LADWP), and Paul Applegate (InvoiceCloud), recognized outstanding leaders for:
Team Award: Innovation & Transformation Team, Arizona Public Service (APS):
Kerri Carnes, Director of Customer to Grid Solutions
Sarah Noll, VPP Innovation and Strategic Initiatives
Elizabeth (Izzy) Lawrence, Program Development and Implementation
Erika Larsen, C2GS Operations
Individual Awards: Recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation, transformation, and mentorship:
Individual Awards: Customer Innovations
Brittany Ross, Manager of Financial Services, Central States Water Resources
Sharon Whaley, Director of Customer Service, San Jose Water
Julie Nemitz, Customer Services Manager, Sacramento Suburban Water District
Kim Rikalo, Manager of Customer Experience Delivery, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Carlyn Altheide, Director of Enterprise Sales, InvoiceCloud
Individual Award: Operations Innovations
Andrea Blomquist, Utility Billing Operations Manager, City of Roseville, CA
Individual Awards: Diversity & Inclusion
Christy Dray, Manager of Substation Maintenance, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Kim Getgen, CEO and Founder, InnovationForce
Taryn Mitchell, Senior Manager of Customer Care, Baltimore Gas and Electric
Individual Awards: Silo Buster of the Year
Allegra Hodges, Ph.D., Head of Strategic Innovation, Portland General Electric
Cheryl Davis, Director of Managed Accounts, Georgia Power Company
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Doneen Hobbs, VP of Financial Services and Systems, Liberty Utilities
Retha Hunsicker, SVP of Customer Experience Design and Solutions, Duke Energy
Women Who SPARK Presentations
On day two of SPARK, the atmosphere was electric as the Arizona Public Service (APS) team participated in a panel session discussion about their Virtual Power Plant (VPP). A second panel shed light on the intricacies of career progression and included Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Retha Hunsicker and Doneen Hobbs, and one of our Silo Buster award winners, Cheryl Davis.
In addition to the two Women Who SPARK panels, other award winners delivered impactful Ignite Talks that captivated the audience. The lineup included:
Superwoman’s Secret
Speaker: Christy Dray (SMUD)
The Big Leagues: Leveling Up the Practice of Innovation
Speaker: Allegra Hodges (Portland General Electric)
Sparking Connections: My Journey in the Utility Industry
Speaker: Taryn Mitchell (BGE)
People First: Empowering Customer Service Professionals with Technology
Speaker: Julie Nemitz (Sacramento Suburban Water District)
Just A Little More
Speaker: Brittany Ross (Central States Water Resources)
Life & Water: Going With the Flow
Speaker: Sharon Whaley (San Jose Water)
Why We Need to Democratize Innovation to Lead the Clean Energy Transition
Speaker: Kim Getgen (InnovationForce)
Unfortunately, two award winners were unable to present at the event, but will share their Ignite Talks during an upcoming virtual session (details to come). These sessions will feature:
No Customer Left Behind
Speaker: Kim Rikalo (SMUD)
Maximizing Customer Engagement: Enhancing the Digital Customer Experience
Speaker: Andrea Blomquist (City of Roseville, CA)
U2030 Announcements
U2030 had three big announcements at SPARK, our new RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program and RADIATE Retreat. Both programs build on the momentum of the Women Who SPARK Awards. We also announced the date and location of SPARK in 2025:
RADIATE Women’s Leadership (RWLD) Program
The leadership program empowers emerging female leaders within the utility industry, pairing them with alumni of our Women Who SPARK (WWS) Awards program during a 12-month program. Nominations are Currently Being Accepted for the 2025 calendar year.
Learn More: Women's Leadership Program | Utility 2030
Nominate an Employee: RWLD Nomination Application - Executive Sponsor Survey (surveymonkey.com)
RADIATE Retreat
With a focus on leadership development, self-care, and strategies for hiring and managing diverse teams, the RADIATE Retreat will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona in April 2025. We are designing the program to ensure that all participants—of all genders—are empowered to lead utility modernization with inclusivity and diversity. Join us to explore:
Leadership Development & Mentoring
Self Care & Mental Health
Hiring Diverse Teams & Managing for Success
Learn More: SPARK Annual Meeting | Utility 2030
We are Bringing SPARK to Seattle, WA in 2025
The team at U2030 is excited to announce that SPARK will be held in Seattle Washington, September 15-17, 2025, at The Edgewater Hotel. Graciously hosted by Seattle City Light, the 2025 theme is “Rethinking Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership”.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the 2024 SPARK Annual Meeting, the themes of generosity and courage emerged powerfully throughout the event. From the community service projects to the engaging fireside chats, attendees demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in both their organizations and their communities. This dedication to service, paired with the boldness to embrace transformative change, encapsulated the essence of SPARK.
As we move forward and plan for the RADIATE Retreat and 2025 SPARK Program, let us carry this spirit of generosity and courage with us, inspiring our teams and communities to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose in all our endeavors.
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