The DC Booth Energy Network and the New America Foundation welcome you to attend a highly engaging panel discussing the future of US renewable energy and the government's role.
Event Details
OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Friedo Sieleman, the German Embassy's Counselor for Environment, Energy, and Climate will provide opening remarks on the German government's success enacting policies that have made Germany a recognized global leader in renewables, and what the US can learn from them.
PANEL: Panel speakers Travis Bradford (Prometheus Institute/Adj. Professor University of Chicago Booth School of Business), Dr. Holmes Hummel (Department of Energy), Dr. Jeffrey Leonard (Global Environmental Fund), and Michael Molnar (Greentech Capital Advisors) will debate America's renewable energy direction, and the government's role.
SPEAKER BIOs:
Friedo Sielemann, German Embassy Washington DC, Counselor for Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
Travis Bradford, Founder of Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development and Adj. Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business - In 2003, Travis Bradford founded the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development, a non-profit organization focused on market information and solutions for sustainable resource management. He is also an adjunct professor teaching energy innovation at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. His published works include "Solar Revolution: The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry", published by MIT Press, PVNews, and dozens of leading-edge market research reports within the electricity and transportation sectors. Previously he has worked with the Federal Reserve; spent nearly two decades as a deal principal at various buy-out firms; served on public, private and non-profit boards; and advised numerous corporations, local and national governments, and the World Bank on energy markets, technology and policy.
Holmes Hummel, Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Policy & International Affairs – As the Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Policy & International Affairs, Dr. Hummel focuses on integration of a wide range of executive authorities and policy instruments to advance national energy policy objectives. In addition to prior private sector experience working with energy innovators in the Silicon Valley, Dr. Hummel has previously served as an AAAS Congressional Science Fellow. Dr. Hummel holds a PhD from Stanford University for research on energy technology paths to climate stabilization.
H. Jeffrey Leonard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Environment Fund - Dr. Leonard is the President and CEO of Global Environment Fund (GEF), one of the most experienced and most successful private equity firms dedicated exclusively to investments in the energy and environment sectors. Founded in 1990, GEF currently has approximately $1 billion in aggregate capital under management. Dr. Leonard is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association ("EMPEA"), and has previously served as co-chairman of the Clean Technology Venture Network. In 2006-07, Dr. Leonard served as co-chairman of the energy transition team of Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and from 1992 through 1998, Dr. Leonard was a member of the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. He also is a member of the Advisory Board of the US-Brazil Biofuels Partnership. Dr. Leonard is Chairman of the Board of The Washington Monthly and Chairman of the Board of City Year (Washington, DC), and a Board Member of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) and the New America Foundation. He is a founding board member and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Beacon House Community Ministry, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in northeast Washington, D.C. Dr. Leonard is a graduate of Princeton (Ph.D.), London School of Economics (M.S. Econ) and Harvard College (B.A., magna cum laude). He is the author of five books and numerous technical articles relating to global environmental issues, international trade, energy production and technology development.
Michael Molnar, Partner at Greentech Capital Advisors and University of Chicago Booth School of Business alumnus – Michael advises clients on M&A transactions and private capital raises. He brings a unique combination of skills, sector knowledge, and relationships, given his background as an investment banker, equity analyst, and strategy consultant. He is a frequently requested speaker on topics in alternative energy at conferences around the world and has deep connectivity within many of the emerging companies in the sector as well as with many of the largest and most established companies worldwide. Michael joined Greentech Capital Advisors from Goldman Sachs where he was the lead equity analyst for the US alternative energy and coal sectors. His research touched on numerous sectors such as solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, concentrating PV, upstream solar materials/silicon, downstream solar development/integration, batteries, electric vehicles, demand response, smart grid, waste-to-energy, wind, and clean coal technology. He also was the lead analyst for the US coal sector where he developed a strong knowledge of the incumbent fossil fuel energy base. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Michael was a Visiting Research Fellow at Accenture's Institute for High Performance Business, a company-sponsored think tank. His research focused on management techniques to most effectively maximize shareholder value in high-growth companies and was published in both internal and external business journals. He was also a manager in Accenture's strategy consulting practice. Michael received an MSc with Merit from the London School of Economics, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS with Honors from Rutgers University. He is a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter holder and also holds a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and CFM (Certified in Financial Management).
Questions
Marek Wolek, '10
2024130807