Women in Cleantech Summer Social and Clean Energy Policy Power Panel
Minnesota is at a pivotal moment in clean energy. Rapid growth in electrification, distributed energy resources, utility planning, workforce development, and state and federal policy changes are reshaping how energy projects move forward across the region. At the same time, questions around affordability, grid capacity, permitting, reliability, and market access are driving active conversations across the industry. As Minnesota continues to position itself as a national clean energy leader, understanding where policy and market trends are headed has never been more important.
Join the Minnesota Women in Cleantech & Sustainability for a summer social featuring networking and a facilitated Policy Power panel discussion with some of the state’s leading clean energy policy voices. Attendees will hear candid perspectives on where Minnesota stands today, what opportunities are emerging, where challenges remain, and what recent policy and market developments could mean for the future of clean energy in the state. The evening will include audience Q&A and open conversation designed to encourage connection and insight across sectors.
The panel will feature Stacy Miller-Moradian, Solar Analyst, Boston Government Services, Louise Miltich, Executive Vice President, Great Plains Institute, Patty O'Keefe, Vote Solar, and Sarah Whebbe, MnSEIA Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, moderated by WCS MN Chapter Lead, Cynthia Bennett.
Speakers:
Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, MnSEIA
Sarah Whebbe is the Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs for the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association. A graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Sarah is admitted to practice law in Minnesota and brings legal expertise to the complex intersection of energy law, legislation, and regulatory. Sarah's legal background is complemented by extensive hands-on experience in the direct deployment of distributed solar energy and energy storage technologies to the electric grid. Earlier in her career, she worked directly with clean energy consumers as an Consultant, originating Behind-the-Meter solar and storage projects for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. She has also served as a Policy Analyst for a solar installer. This combination of frontline field experience and formal legal training gives Sarah a rare "boots on the roof" perspective that she applies to energy regulatory proceedings and legislative advocacy across Minnesota.
Executive Vice President, Great Plains Institute
Louise Miltich is Executive Vice President of the Great Plains Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the US to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment.
Louise has more than two decades of experience in energy development, regulation, and advocacy. Prior to joining GPI, Louise served as Assistant Commissioner of Regulatory Analysis at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, where she oversaw the Department’s work with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on regulatory issues. Louise joined the Department in 2016 after nearly ten years in the private sector at Barr Engineering Company and a brief period in the environmental advocacy non-profit world as the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s natural resources scientist.
Louise is passionate about energy, the environment, and the way economic and regulatory drivers shape human behavior and our impact on the world we live in. She enjoys every opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to find smart, balanced, and forward-thinking ways to approach our energy future and the vast challenges ahead. Louise holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and geology from Carleton College and earned her Master of Science in climate change geoscience at Penn State University.
Solar Analyst, U.S. Department of Energy (Contractor)
Stacy Miller Mooradian has spent three decades advancing solar and clean energy, from the research laboratory to the private sector and most recently in the policy arena.
As a physics student, Stacy contributed to research that was later commercialized by First Solar. She co-founded Sunny Solutions Energy Company to bring rooftop solar to the greater Nashville area. Her experience as a researcher and entrepreneur propelled her into state and local policy roles. At the Minnesota State Energy Office she led solar market transformation efforts and secured $5 million in competitive grants to accelerate solar deployment in the state. At the City of Minneapolis, she was the first staffer dedicated to the city’s participation in the state Public Utilities Commission process, leading to the Resilient Minneapolis Project-- resilience hubs with solar plus battery storage systems at three community centers.
Today Stacy supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Integrated Energy Systems Office where she oversees a portfolio of national lab projects and state initiatives to advance solar research and energy system innovation. She is serving her third term on the Dakota Electric board of directors, offering strategic guidance on a range of topics including programs, clean energy and climate solutions, and load growth.
Stacy holds a B.S. in Physics from Arizona State University and an M.S. in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School. In 2017 Stacy received the Ralph Jacobson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association.
Midwest Regional Director, Vote Solar
Patty O’Keefe is the Midwest Regional Director at Vote Solar, where she works to protect and expand local solar at the state level. With over a decade of experience in community organizing and campaign management within the climate justice movement, Patty has led impactful legislative and public-facing campaigns for solar policy in Minnesota and Michigan.
Moderator:
Principal Cynergy Consulting/ Head of Strategic Partnerships, Electrical Association, Cynergy Consulting LLC
Cynthia Bennett is the founder of Cynergy Consulting, where she works at the intersection of clean energy strategy, policy, and market development. With more than 15 years of experience across the electrical and solar industries, she has worked with contractors, developers, manufacturers, trade associations, and policymakers to help turn complex energy challenges into practical, actionable solutions. Her work focuses on distributed energy resources, workforce and industry partnerships, strategic growth, and aligning stakeholders to move initiatives forward across Minnesota’s evolving clean energy landscape.
Venue Sponsor:
About Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
Women in Cleantech and Sustainability (WCS) is a global nonprofit community dedicated to advancing women working across climate, energy, and sustainability. Through events, mentorship, career resources, and local chapters around the world, WCS creates spaces where women can connect, learn, grow professionally, and collaborate to drive meaningful climate solutions. Whether you’re an industry expert, a student, a founder, or simply climate-curious, WCS welcomes those who want to build community and accelerate positive change together.
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