2025 Duke University Energy Conference:
The Future of Energy
November 5, 2025 at the Fuqua School of Business
Registration is now open! Early bird discounts for professionals are available through October 15.
Conference Format
The 17th annual Duke University Energy Conference will leverage Duke’s reputation as an academic institution at the center of the global energy conversation to address the energy transition.
Keynote Conversations
Speaker Panels
Networking Receptions
Recent years have demonstrated dynamic change and innovation across all industries, and the energy sector has been no exception. The 2025 Duke University Energy Conference will bring together leaders and industry experts to explore, discuss, and debate how the evolution of the energy sector will shape key aspects of society including transportation, finance, and technology.
The Energy Conference draws over 400 attendees each year and features keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, a company expo, and interactive sessions. This year’s theme will cover hot topics across the energy sector to explore opportunities to collaboratively address barriers to progress and inspire cross-disciplinary action to advance the energy transition.
2025 Keynote Speakers
Bobby Hollis
Vice President of Energy, Microsoft
Bobby Hollis joined Microsoft in 2023 as VP of Energy responsible for leading Microsoft’s energy sourcing and carbon removal strategy globally as its AI infrastructure deployment accelerated. In this role, Bobby and his team works with utilities, suppliers, policy makers and industry leaders to procure energy and renewables to power Microsoft’s global data centers and AI infrastructure, achieve Microsoft’s renewable energy and carbon negative commitments and support the advancement of carbon-free electricity grid infrastructure.
Before his energy work in the technology sector, Bobby led renewable energy for Nevada’s largest utility, NV Energy, a Berkshire Hathaway utility, adopting customer-oriented approaches that radically changed renewables within the utility sector. His tenure included innovative customer projects with Apple and Nellis Air Force Base, as well as a state-wide SmartGrid deployment and major policy changes to retire all coal facilities and replace them with renewable generation. Early in his career, Bobby practiced corporate and regulatory law at Jenner & Block and Baker & Mackenzie, in Washington, DC, and Chicago, as well as leading legal support for Invenergy LLC, one of the largest renewable energy developers in the US.
Bobby holds a J.D. in Law from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida.
Rebecca J. Kujawa
Former President and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources
Rebecca J. Kujawa is a nationally recognized energy leader with deep experience across the full spectrum of the U.S. power sector. Over the past two decades, she has helped shape some of the industry’s most important inflection points—leading transformational growth, advancing clean energy technologies, and building high-performing teams at scale. She is known for her strategic clarity, financial discipline, and ability to execute multibillion-dollar investment programs in complex, capital-intensive environments.
Most recently, Rebecca served as President and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, the largest competitive energy provider in the U.S. and the world’s leader in renewables. She led a 7,400-person organization and oversaw $15–$20 billion in annual infrastructure investment. Under her leadership, the company expanded and diversified its development pipeline, deployed transformative digital technologies, and set new benchmarks for scale, speed, and operational excellence.
Previously, she was Chief Financial Officer of NextEra Energy, Inc. [NYSE: NEE], a $140 billion market capitalization energy company and one of the largest capital investors in the U.S. She led the financing of nearly $50 billion in growth initiatives and oversaw enterprise-wide IT and cybersecurity, including operational technology risk management.
A respected industry voice, Rebecca brings comprehensive experience across the energy ecosystem—from renewables development to nuclear operations to transmission systems—positioning her uniquely to address the complex interdependencies shaping the industry’s future. She is a sought-after speaker at major global energy forums, including COP28, CERAWeek, and the World Hydrogen Summit, and her insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Reuters. She has extensive governance experience, including serving as Chairperson of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), the mutual insurance provider for the global nuclear industry, and as a Director of XPLR Infrastructure [NYSE: XIFR].
Rebecca is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in public policy studies from Duke University.
Programming and Panel Discussions
Breakfast Session
Watt to Know: Energy Warm-Up with Dr. Tim Johnson
Kickstart your experience at the Energy Conference with an engaging overview of today’s energy landscape. This breakfast session will help you get up to speed on key terminology, hot topics, and the trends shaping the industry. Whether you’re new to the energy sector or just looking for a quick refresher, Watt to Know is the perfect way to warm up before the official kickoff of the conference.
Dr. Johnson is the Senior Associate Dean for Academics and Chair of Energy and Environment program at the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. His teaching and research address interdisciplinary topics at the intersection of energy system planning, design of the built environment, and natural resource management.
Friendly Debate
The AI Energy Dilemma: Scaling Intelligence in a Resource-Constrained World
The role of AI in our society and economy is ascendent; across industries, there is seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm for new applications of this powerful tool. At the same, governments and corporations are struggling to meet the real and expected power demands for data processing. In the sustainability space, many are questioning the fundamental value proposition of the role that AI will play in our society given the intensive environmental costs. This friendly debate will feature a thoughtful dialogue between an industry practitioner, an academic, and a leading energy journalist to explore questions around AI applications for sustainability, utility and grid infrastructure development to meet demand, and the ethics of energy use in the continued evolution of technology.
Tyler Norris
James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment
Cy McGeady
Head of Energy Policy at Equinix
Caroline O’Donovan
Reporter at the Washington Post
Powering the Future: Building Grid Resiliency in North Carolina
From escalating climate threats to surging energy demand and evolving security risks, the challenges facing North Carolina’s power infrastructure are both complex and urgent. This session brings together leading voices from industry, academia, and policy to discuss challenges and explore solutions such as the deployment of microgrids to cover critical services, the modernization of aging transmission lines, and the integration of distributed energy resources. Panelists will discuss how investments, research, and policy following Hurricane Helene are already working to shape a more resilient grid.
Jeff Hughes
Climate Leader in Residence at the Nicholas Institute, former North Carolina Utilities Commissioner
Read Jeff Hughes's Bio
Jeff Hughes became a Duke Climate Leader in Residence in August of 2025. Hughes’ primary affiliations during his 18-month residency are with the Nicholas Institute and the Pratt School of Engineering, but he also will work across campus on other interdisciplinary initiatives. While at Duke, he will teach courses, work on curriculum development, and support students and faculty.
Prior to joining Duke, Hughes spent 6 years as a Commissioner with the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Mr. Hughes also spent nearly twenty years on the faculty of the University of North Carolina School Government where he was the Director of the UNC Environmental Finance Center. His professional experience includes economic regulation, consulting, academia, direct utility management, and international development.
Hughes has an undergraduate degree in engineering from Duke University with a focus on energy management and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a focus on water engineering and economics. He has served on numerous boards and committees during his career including the NARUC Committee on Water, the USEPA Environmental Finance Advisory Board, the NC Water Treatment Operator’s Certification Board, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and the North Carolina GreenPower Board.
Mark McIntire
North Carolina Energy and Environmental Affairs Director at Duke Energy
Read Mark McIntire's Bio
Mark is Duke Energy’s North Carolina Energy and Environmental Affairs Director. In this role he represents Duke Energy on energy and environmental issues ranging from carbon reduction and offshore wind development to transportation electrification and nuclear power. He is accountable for Duke Energy’s engagement with environmental regulators, emergency management officials, and other elements of state government. Early in his time with Duke Energy Mark held several operational roles, including electrostatic precipitator engineer and strategic water engineer.
Immediately prior to joining Duke Energy, he spent seven years with GHD leading large infrastructure projects for USAID in the Middle East. He began his career with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality where he spent 10 years focused on water and wastewater permitting for large industrial facilities.
Mark represents Duke Energy on Governor Stein’s Energy Policy Task Force and serves on the boards of the Southeastern Wind Coalition and the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association. He is a graduate of NC State’s College of Engineering, a licensed Professional Engineer, a member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and a certified Carbon Reduction Manager.
Sushma Masemore
Deputy Secretary for Environment, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Read Sushma Masemore's Bio
Sushma Masemore was named Deputy Secretary for Environment in May of 2021. She guides DEQ’s regulatory divisions through the complex issues facing North Carolina and brings more than 30 years of public and private sector experience to the role.
Masemore oversees the development and implementation of major policy initiatives for programs such as: permitting of discharges to surface waters; issuance of air emissions permits; grant programs for wastewater and drinking water projects; remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, permitting of coastal development; and regulation of animal operations, mining operations, and energy development projects.
As the State Energy Director, Masemore led statewide initiatives related to energy and climate change, including the development of the NC Clean Energy Plan and Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan.
Masemore joined DEQ as a permit engineer and has managed teams of engineers and scientists through program design, standards development, and implementation phases. Her private sector experience includes building partnerships with technology developers, industry representatives, and government officials to collaborate on environmental solutions that made good business sense while protecting public health.
Masemore earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Maryland Baltimore County, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina.
Srijib Mukherjee
Senior R&D Staff Member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Read Srijib Mukherjee's Bio
Dr. Mukherjee comes with 35 years of research, engineering, academic and management experience in Power Systems Operations, Power Generation Engineering, Transmission Planning, Energy Markets, Electrical Grid Resiliency and Distributed Generation of Power Systems. Srijib has an MBA in Finance from Duke University, Ph.D. and MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Miami and a B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering) from The Manipal Institute of Technology.
He has a Joint Faculty, Professor appointment with the University of Tennessee’s and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Bredesen Center. Srijib’ s research and engineering interests are in the technologies surrounding autonomous cars, electric charging infrastructure and energy storage.
His experience spans 14 years with US electric utilities (CP&L/Duke Energy, Nevada Power/NV Energy, and FP&L/NextEra Energy), 13 years with various technical and management energy consulting firms (Quanta Technology/Quanta Services, Pike Electric and Mott MacDonald), 10 years as an Adjunct and Research Faculty member at The University of North Carolina, Charlotte and The University of Tennessee, Bredesen Center and 4 years with Government Agencies (NOAA and ORNL).
He has published over 30 peer reviewed, refereed research papers in various journals and conferences, 14 DOE Technical Reports at The Office of Science and Technical Information (OSTI) and has 2 patents and 1 invention disclosure under patent application. He is also a veteran Program Evaluator (PEV) for the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) and is an Alternate Board Member of the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities (IEEE CEAA). Additionally, he is licensed to practice engineering as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the States of NC, NV and CA and licensed to operate the US Grid as a NERC Certified System Operator. Srijib has mentored advised and chaired 10 Ph.D. and master’s student’s thesis committees in Energy Science and Power Systems research.
The Future of Global Movement: Rethinking First and Last Mile Mobility
Much of the public conversation around transportation electrification has focused on personal passenger EVs, yet the majority of fuel use and carbon emissions comes from moving people and goods at scale. From long-haul trucking and maritime shipping to the rise of aviation for both passengers and cargo, the innovation, decarbonization, and electrification of these hard-to-abate sectors is critical to global progress. This panel will explore how leaders across industries are tackling these challenges and how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the transition.
Kate Jostworth
Head of First Mile at Maersk USA
Chris Wolfington
Clean Energy & Transportation Solutions at TRC Companies
The Capital Equation: Powering Tomorrow in a Rapidly Evolving Energy Landscape
Investing in the energy future requires navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. A landscape defined by surging electricity demand, shifting policies, and mounting infrastructure needs. With load growth driven by electrification, data centers, and new manufacturing, investors are under pressure to deploy capital at scale, despite uncertainty around regulatory frameworks and supply chain reliability.
In this panel, energy finance leaders will share how they’re adapting investment strategies to meet rising demand while staying aligned with long-term climate and reliability goals. The discussion will explore how capital is being mobilized and where it’s falling short in building the grid and the generation needed for the next era of energy. The conversation will offer pragmatic insights into how capital can flow efficiently and effectively in an environment defined by rapid change and rising demand.
Taj Ahmad Eldridge
Founding Managing Director, Climate Innovations at JFF; Venture Partner & Co-founder at Include Venture Partners
Read Taj Ahmad Eldridge's Bio
Taj Ahmad Eldridge is a 25+ year investment professional with deep experience in climate, energy, and sustainability. He is the Founding Managing Director of Climate Innovations at Jobs for the Future (JFF), where he leads initiatives at the intersection of climate and workforce development, including CREST, a $25M Ares-backed project building a climate-resilient talent pipeline. Taj is also Venture Partner and Co-Founder of Include Venture Partners, investing in founders and fund managers advancing innovative and inclusive ecosystems.
Previously, Taj was Senior Director of Investments at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), where he launched the LACI Impact Fund I and the LACI Debt Fund to scale cleantech ventures. He also built programs connecting investors and entrepreneurs in clean energy, mobility, and the circular economy. Earlier, as Director of the UC Riverside Incubator, he established the region’s first venture fund, the Highlander Fund.
Taj has invested in and advised numerous climate and energy companies, including Form Energy, BlocPower, SparkCharge, and KIGT, alongside broader impact-driven ventures. He also serves on the Climate Finance Advisory Team of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool (CIGP) and the advisory board of VC Include.
He holds a Bachelor’s in International Literature & Poetry from East Texas A&M University, a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School, and a PhD in Geopolitical Economics from Claremont Graduate University.
Ray Spitzley
Vice Chairman, Global Power and Utility Group and Co-Head, Energy Transition at Morgan Stanley
Read Ray Spitzley's Bio
Ray Spitzley is a Vice Chairman in Morgan Stanley’s Global Power and Utility Group and serves as Co-Head of the Firm’s Energy Transition banking efforts. Over the course of Ray’s 40-year career, he has worked with companies and governments throughout North America, Europe and Asia regarding power, energy and other essential infrastructure. Ray is currently helping lead Morgan Stanley’s ‘Powering AI’ initiatives, working with the leading hyperscalers, data center companies and power providers to address the immense electricity requirements of AI-dedicated data centers.
Ray joined Morgan Stanley in 1993 in Hong Kong where he established the Firm’s power, energy and infrastructure banking practice in Non-Japan Asia. In 1998 Ray moved to Sydney Australia where he continued in that role while helping build out Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division in Australia as the country Co-Head for IBD. In 2001 Ray returned to New York as a senior member of the Global Power and Utility Group.
Ray has led privatizations in Australia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; advised the Hong Kong Government on its $25 billion Port and Airport Development Scheme; helped lead the IPOs of Bloom Energy and Fluence Energy; led M&A transactions on behalf of a wide range of clients including Advanced Power, AES, Algonquin, CMS, Connectiv, CPV, Cypress Creek, Dominion, DTE, Duke, Dynegy, Enbridge, Engie, GIP, GPU, Hecate, ITC, Itochu, LS Power, Mitsui, National Grid, Noble, NRG, PSEG, Puget, RRI, Silicon Ranch, Singapore Power, Southern, and TC Energy; and worked on multi-billion dollar capital raisings for many of the aforementioned companies as well as Calpine, Equinix, Sempra and TVA.
Ray is a graduate of Denison University and holds a Master’s in Public and Private Management from Yale University.
Chris Wedding
Executive in Residence at Fuqua School of Business; CEO of Entrepreneurs for Impact
Read Chris Wedding's Bio
Dr. Chris Wedding is an Executive in Residence at the Fuqua School of Business, Nicholas School of the Environment, Department of Economics, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at Duke University.
In addition, he is the CEO of Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI), the biggest climate tech CEO peer group in North America; podcast host and newsletter author at Climate CEOs; cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (solid-state transformer in power electronics), former environmental private equity investor, and former clean tech investment banker.
Jennifer Weiss
Founder and Director at the Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas (formerly NC Clean Energy Fund)
Read Jen Weiss's Bio
Jen Weiss is the founder and co-director of the Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas (formerly the NC Clean Energy Fund), a non-profit green bank that utilizes public and private capital to catalyze investments in clean and efficient energy and transportation projects in the state with a focus on traditionally underserved communities.
She was most recently the senior advisor for climate change policy at the North Carolina Department of Transportation where she coordinated climate-related transportation activities across NCDOT including the development of the state’s first Clean Transportation Plan. Prior to this role, Jen worked at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University on the Climate and Energy team. In this role, she focused on the intersection of energy and environmental policy, primarily in the electricity, financial, and transportation sectors.
In addition to her energy and transportation work, Jen has over 13 years of consumer and small business banking experience and holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at San Diego.
Getting Around Durham
Hotels
JB Duke Hotel (4.6 stars)
0.2 miles from Fuqua (6 min walk)
Bar and restaurant
Washington Duke Inn & Hotel (4.7 stars)
0.4 miles from Fuqua (9 min walk)
Pub, restaurant, and golf course
AC Hotel by Marriott Durham (4.2 stars)
1.1 miles from Fuqua (3 min drive)
Bar and restaurant
Hilton Durham Near Duke (4.0 stars)
2.5 miles from Fuqua (8 min drive)
Restaurant
Food and Drinks
Vin Rouge | $$$ French Cuisine
Juju Durham | $$$ Asian Fusion
M Sushi | $$$ Sushi Bar
Local 22 Kitchen & Bar | $$ American
Lime & Lemon | $$ Indian Cuisine
Burger Bach | $$ Burger Restaurant
Pizzeria Toro | $$ Brick-Oven pizza
West End Wine Bar | $$ Wine Bar
Ponysaurus Brewing | $$ Brewery
Motorco | $$ Live Music and Bar
Velvet Hippo| $$ Rooftop Bar
The Duke University Energy Conference is part of:
Questions?
Interested in becoming a 2025 Energy Conference Sponsor? Have other questions?
Contact us:
energyweek@duke.edu