Book Your Hotel by August 12, 2025
In 2025, SPARK is hosted at the iconic Edgewater Hotel on Seattle's scenic waterfront.
Our negotiated room rate is $319/night + $15 resort fee.
Meet Your 2025 SPARK Emcees
Cheryl Davis
Director of Managed Accounts,
Georgia Power Company
Antrecia Sims
Chief of Staff to the CEO and Manager of Health & Benefits, LADWP
Who Should Attend SPARK?
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SPARK is designed for utility professionals at all levels—from the C-suite to individual contributors—because leadership starts the moment someone chooses to follow you. Participants include:
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Operations leaders driving efficiency and reliability
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Customer experience leaders focused on engagement and satisfaction
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Human resources professionals shaping workforce strategy and culture
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Financial leaders navigating cost, investments, and affordability
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Innovation leaders accelerating new technologies and approaches
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Transformation leaders guiding organizational change
SPARK Topics
Customer Experience, Engagement & Satisfaction
Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Communications
Energy Transition Goals & Sustainability Initiatives
Technology Innovations & Reducing Tech Debt
Workforce Challenges, Training & Hiring for New Roles
Cultural Transformation & Leading for Inclusion
Asset Investments to Meet Evolving Demands
New Stakeholders & Influence Beyond Authority
September 15, 2025
Day 1
1:30 – 4:30 PM | Community Service Project & Lunch | Give Back, Connect, and SPARK Change
Choose between two meaningful service options: assemble care packages at the hotel or volunteer to go on-site at a local nonprofit. Service is a powerful way to kick off SPARK—fostering connection, purpose, and community impact. We will provide lunch and transportation.
5:30 – 7:00 PM | Welcome Reception: Cocktails & Conversations
Connect in a relaxed, Seattle-inspired setting with regional bites and a signature cocktail while discussing expectations for the next day.
About SPARK
The U2030 SPARK Annual Meeting, hosted by Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy, is the premier leadership event for utility professionals driving transformation at the intersection of customers, employees, and operations.
From September 15 to 17, 2025, at Seattle's iconic Edgewater Hotel, SPARK blends immersive learning, bold leadership conversations, and collaborative problem-solving in an unforgettable setting.
This year’s theme—Rethinking Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership—explores how utility leaders are navigating shifting priorities across management, emergency preparedness, energy transition, technology innovation, workforce strategy, cultural transformation, and infrastructure investments.
Designed through the U2030 Learning Experience Design (LXD) lens, SPARK features a dynamic mix of rapid-fire panels, Ignite Talks, RADIATE Capstone presentations, and gamified sessions that deliver actionable strategies, real-world stories, and meaningful connections leaders can take back to their organizations.
SPARK also includes two signature events: the Women Who SPARK Awards Gala and the RADIATE Participant Graduation Ceremony—celebrating bold leadership and transformational growth.
Facilitators & Presenters
Agenda
September 16, 2025
Day 2
7:30 – 8:00 AM | Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 AM | Welcome, Safety Moment, Introductions & Icebreaker
Kick off with essential safety information and an energizing icebreaker to explore, introducing this year’s theme: Rethinking Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership.
Facilitators:
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Vanessa Edmonds, CEO, Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030)
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Chris Hilborn, President, Advisory, U2030
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Cheryl Davis, Director, Managed Accounts, Georgia Power
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Antrecia Sims, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Manager of Employee Health & Benefits, LADWP
8:45 – 9:00 AM | Turning Pages, Sparking Ideas
Kick off the SPARK Book Club by sharing the value of leadership reading and the power of favorite quotes that stick with us. He’ll also introduce opportunities to take home a book—and pass one along to inspire others.
Facilitator: Sean Vanslyke, CEO, SEMO Electric Cooperative & GoSEMO Fiber
9:00 – 10:15 AM | Host Utility Panel | Changing Priorities at Seattle City Light & PSE | Sponsored by: i3 Verticals
Explore how Seattle City Light (SCL) is evolving to meet emerging demands while advancing safety, affordability, and energy innovation.
Moderator: Ram Kasarla, SVP, Emerging Technologies & Solutions, i3 Verticals
Panelists:
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Dawn Lindell, CEO & GM, Seattle City Light
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Mike Haynes, COO, Seattle City Light
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David Logsdon, Director of Electrification & Strategic Technologies, Seattle City Light
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Aaron August, SVP, Chief Customer & Transformation Officer, PSE
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Michelle Vargo, SVP, Energy Operations, PSE
10:15 – 10:20 AM | Break
10:20 – 11:00 AM | LXD Leadership Simulation | Immersive Learning in Action
Experience hands-on leadership learning rooted in emotional intelligence and design principles.
11:00 – 11:45 AM | My One Big Leadership Idea
In this fast-paced, high-impact session, five speakers each have 4 to 6 minutes to share one bold leadership idea, action, or experience that fundamentally changed how they lead, think, or make decisions.
Speakers:
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Bashir Bseirani, CEO, Avertra
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Lunch + Guided Open Space Discussions | What Decisions Need to Be Reconsidered?
Grab lunch and head to a discussion table with a resonant problem statement—or start your conversation using an “open space” blank tent card. Remember that Open Space is guided by one simple rule: the Rule of Two Feet. Feel free to move to another table if a conversation doesn't spark your interest or you feel FOMO. Problem statements include:
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How do we deliver great CX despite rising costs?
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What’s needed to future-proof emergency response?
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How can leaders build trust through constant change?
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What does true inclusion look like—and how do we get there?
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How can utilities act on AI breakthroughs without the hype?
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Where should we invest in modernization for biggest impact?
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How do we redefine affordability in today’s economy?
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How can utilities build a workforce ready for tomorrow?
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What strategies help lead through policy uncertainty?
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How do we rebuild trust in underserved communities?
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What does operational excellence mean amid burnout?
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Create Your Own Challenge – Start a new conversation.
12:45 – 1:30 PM | Mini RADIATE Capstone Spotlight Presentations | Sponsored by Milepost
Hear three 10-minute presentations with field-tested insights from women in the U2030 RADIATE Leadership Program.
Moderators:
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Samantha Hart, CEO, Milepost
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Briauna Perryman, Senior Consultant, Milepost
Topic: Overcoming Burnout & Mental Load
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Carlyn Altheide, Sr. Enterprise Account Director, InvoiceCloud
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Tiffany Bello, Customer Care Operations Manager, Georgia Power
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Dales Mills, Senior Content Writer, Milepost
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Brittany Mulcahy, Administrator of HR/Executive Affairs, SEMO Electric & GoSEMO Fiber
Topic: Women in Leadership
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Enjoli Black, Principal Program Manager, PG&E
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Jessica Lim, Director of Customer Experience, SCE
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Sheri Rice, Technical Metering Operations Manager, SCL
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Patricia Roberts, Senior Key Account Analyst, Georgia Power
Topic: Women in Skilled Trades
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Rheannon Fuller, Program Manager, PG&E
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Caitlin Harvey, Manager of Customer Solutions, BGE
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Kat Pohlman, Sustainability Manager, NES
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Bri Swierstok, Telecommunications Operations & Maintenance, SMUD
1:30 – 2:15 PM | U2030 & Energy Central Annual Research Study | Hot Takes & Hard Truths Gallery Walk | Sponsored by HSI
Dive into the data through an interactive gallery walk featuring key findings from the U2030 & Energy Central Annual Research Study. Each poster invites you to explore and respond to three powerful prompts:
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Hot Take – What’s the boldest interpretation of this data?
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Hard Truth – What uncomfortable leadership reality does it reveal?
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Call to Action – What should utility leaders stop, start, or change based on the insight?
Facilitators:
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Audra Drazga, Principal, U2030
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Mike Smith, Principal, U2030
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Mark Streifel, Managing Director, Industrial Skills Solutions, HSI
2:15 – 3:00 PM | Mini RADIATE Capstone Spotlight Presentations (Continued) | Sponsored by Milepost
Hear three 10-minute presentations with field-tested insights from women in the U2030 RADIATE Leadership Program.
Moderators:
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Samantha Hart, CEO, Milepost
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Briauna Perryman, Senior Consultant, Milepost
Topic: Well-Being in the Workplace
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Kelly Beatty, Sr. Manager, Org Change Management, Liberty Utilities
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Marguerite Behringer, Director of Regulatory Policy & Industry Relations, Landis + Gyr
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Natalie Laughlin, Program Manager, SMUD
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Christine Miles, Sr. Director, National Sales, Paymentus
Topic: Hiring Practices
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Christina Northrup, President, BHC Global
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Brittnye Roberts, Customer Service Manager, CDE Lightband
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Darlene Sakahara, Division Administrator, SCL
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Antrecia Sims, Manager, Employee Health & Benefits, PG&E
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Jessica Tsosie, Assistant Manager, NTUA
Topic: Women Customers
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Ashley Smith, Manager, EBS Product (Enterprise Asset Management), Liberty Utilities
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Nicole Sombrero, Assistant Manager, NTUA
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Leah Tutnauer, Clean Energy Experience & Analytics, BGE
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Jill Zaller, Finance & Customer Service Supervisor, SEMO Electric & GoSEMO Fiber
3:15 – 3:30 PM | Break
3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Keynote: Recharging Teams When the Goalposts Keep Moving
In this energizing keynote, Chima Chijioke, one of the utility industry's most inspirational leaders, shares practical strategies for keeping teams focused, motivated, and resilient when priorities shift and change is constant.
Speaker: Chima Chijioke, VP of Customer Services, Georgia Power Company
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Rethinking Priorities Interactive Group Session
Get up, move around, and reframe your leadership approach through an experiential, design-led activity.
6:00 – 9:00 PM | Dinner Gala | Women Who SPARK Awards + RADIATE Graduation
Celebrate the achievements of bold women leaders across the utility sector.
→ Women Who SPARK sponsored by InvoiceCloud
→ RADIATE Graduation sponsored by ContactPoint 360
Facilitators & Presenters:
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Vanessa Edmonds, CEO, U2030
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Paul Applegate, InvoiceCloud
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Brandy Bolden, Chief Customer Officer, SMUD
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Jody Allison, Chief Customer Officer, Liberty Utilities
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Elizabeth Sedlacek, ContactPoint 360
SPARK Registration & Hotel Information
U2030 Member Tickets (Utilities & Solution Providers)
As a U2030 member, your team receives event tickets, which can be used for either the SPARK Annual Meeting or the U2030 ENERGIZE Retreat.
Additional Tickets
Member companies who wish to purchase additional tickets receive a discounted ticket price of $495.
Not sure if you're a member or how many tickets you receive?
Email us at info@utility2030.org.
Non-Member Tickets
Utility Employees
Utility employees who are not U2030 members may attend for $995.
UTILITY EMPLOYEE NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION
Solution Providers
Solution providers who are not members should contact U2030 about attending or sponsoring.
Hotel
In 2025, SPARK is hosted at the iconic Edgewater Hotel on Seattle's scenic waterfront.
Our negotiated room rate is $319/night + $15 resort fee.
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Join Us for U2030 INFLIGHT 2025, Sept. 18th, Seattle, WA
Stay for a Bonus Day Focused on Cost-to-Serve & Affordability
Join us on September 18th, from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, at the Edgewater Hotel for U2030 INFLIGHT 2025—a hands-on workshop presented in collaboration with Paymentus.
Reducing cost-to-serve and making utility services more affordable is more than just a business goal—it’s a leadership imperative. It directly impacts both the financial health of your utility and the well-being of the communities you serve. This interactive workshop builds on the energy of SPARK, equipping utility leaders with bold strategies, practical tools, and a transformational mindset to turn affordability into action.
Don’t miss this opportunity to go deeper on one of the industry's most pressing challenges.
September 17, 2025
Day 3
8:00 – 8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 AM | Day 2 Welcome & Safety Moment
Facilitators:
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Cheryl Davis, Director of Managed Accounts, Georgia Power
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Antrecia Sims, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Manager of Employee Health & Benefits, LADWP
8:45 – 9:15 AM | Fireside Chat: Modernization vs. Preservation
How do we lead transformation while respecting history and legacy?
Speakers:
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Maureen Elenga, Architectural Historian, WA Dept. of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
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Vanessa Edmonds, CEO & Founder, U2030
9:15 – 10:15 AM | LXD Session: Rethinking Priorities
In this fast-paced Learning Experience Design (LXD) session, participants will uncover the often-overlooked gap between what they say matters and how they actually spend their time. Through guided reflection, visual mapping, and peer accountability, leaders will evaluate their current priorities, confront trade-offs, and publicly commit to one shift they’re ready to make. This highly interactive exercise challenges attendees to rethink assumptions, align actions with purpose, and walk away with a visible leadership commitment they can carry forward.
10:15 – 11:00 AM | Hot Topic Lightning Panel
Gain rapid-fire insights on the industry’s most pressing issues.
Moderator: Chris Hilborn, President, Advisory, U2030
Panelist:
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Ajit Apte, Vice President, Customer Operations, BGE
11:00 – 11:45 AM | Panel: Women Who SPARK Team Award Presentation
This year's winning team shares how collaboration fueled measurable results.
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Lunch
1:00 – 1:45 PM | Executive Panel: Ask Us Anything
Ask questions you always wanted to hear the answer to and hear honest answers from industry executives.
Panelists:
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Brandy Bolden, Chief Customer Officer, SMUD
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Chima Chijioke, VP, Customer Services, Georgia Power
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Doneen Hobbs, VP Financial Services & Systems, Liberty Utilities
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Frankie McDermott, COO, SMUD
1:45 – 2:30 PM | Ignite Talks: Women Who SPARK Individual Award Winners
Quick-hit leadership stories from this year's honorees—spotlighting courage, innovation, and purpose.
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Fireside Chat: Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Celebrate enduring leadership and wisdom with this year's honorees.
3:00 – 3:30 PM | Meeting Wrap-Up & Commitment Wall
Reflect on your experience, share key takeaways, and publicly commit to what you're ready to rethink.
As a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certified by WBENC and CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse, we prioritize diversity of thought and inclusion in everything we do.
