About Us
The decarbonization of our economy is within our reach, and it is now more important than ever. Shifting America’s energy use away from carbon-intensive fuels and toward clean and renewable sources of energy will reduce pollution, create economic opportunity and ultimately decrease the cost of energy, resulting in a healthier and more equitable, sustainable and affordable future for all. The community next to the coal plant, the home next to the highway and the millions of individuals who will be impacted by climate change because of high carbon emissions are at the heart of what we do.
Gridworks brings stakeholders from across the Western United States together to achieve their decarbonization goals. We facilitate and foster connections between decarbonization advocates, energy providers and utility operators, enabling them to collectively determine the best approach to achieving decarbonization. Together with these stakeholders, we work to advance policy and help states undertake a just transition toward sustainability. And we provide expert advice and guidance to policymakers as they make this important shift.
Our work has contributed to California leading the nation toward a 100 percent clean energy future. From early successes in California, we have scaled our work to Oregon, Colorado and Hawaii. As our work helps to expand the clean energy grid in the West, our ability to provide meaningful guidance to stakeholders and possibilities for a better energy future will continue to grow.
STAFF
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Matthew Tisdale
Executive Director
Matthew Tisdale is the Executive Director of Gridworks, leading Gridworks strategy, administration, expert facilitation and consulting services. Matthew has practiced clean energy policy since 2008 and facilitation since 2017. Prior to Gridworks, Matthew served as a Senior Energy Advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission contributing to California’s clean energy leadership. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, both from The George Washington University. Matthew lives in Alameda, California with his amazing family and six chickens.
Matthew Tisdale
Exective Director
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Matthew Tisdale
Executive Director
Matthew Tisdale is the Executive Director of Gridworks, leading Gridworks strategy, administration, expert facilitation and consulting services. Matthew has practiced clean energy policy since 2008 and facilitation since 2017. Prior to Gridworks, Matthew served as a Senior Energy Advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission contributing to California’s clean energy leadership. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, both from The George Washington University. Matthew lives in Alameda, California with his amazing family and six chickens.
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Claire Halbrook
Director
Claire is an energy strategist and professional organizer of people. She has spent ten years in the energy and environmental space with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and Johnson and Johnson. During her career, Claire has spearheaded several first–of-their-kind greenhouse gas reduction initiatives at Fortune 500 companies; overseen a multitude of projects with annual budgets in excess of $150 million; and built strong working relationships with leaders in private industry, environmental NGOs, and local, state, and federal governments. Claire holds a BA from UC San Diego and an MBA from UC Davis.
Claire Halbrook
Director
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Claire Halbrook
Senior Fellow
Claire is an energy strategist and professional organizer of people. She has spent ten years in the energy and environmental space with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and Johnson and Johnson. During her career, Claire has spearheaded several first–of-their-kind greenhouse gas reduction initiatives at Fortune 500 companies; overseen a multitude of projects with annual budgets in excess of $150 million; and built strong working relationships with leaders in private industry, environmental NGOs, and local, state, and federal governments. Claire holds a BA from UC San Diego and an MBA from UC Davis.
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Katie Wu
Director
Katie Wu is an environmental professional with nine years of experience in environmental and energy work. She was formerly a Regulatory Analyst and Supervisor in Energy Efficiency at the California Public Utilities Commission. Her work there covered cost-effectiveness analysis, energy savings forecasting, utility shareholder incentives, and integrated distributed energy resource policy issues. Prior to the CPUC, Katie worked in CEQA and Superfund enforcement in California. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from UC San Diego.
Katie Wu
Senior Fellow
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Katie Wu
Director
Katie Wu is an environmental professional with nine years of experience in environmental and energy work. She was formerly a Regulatory Analyst and Supervisor in Energy Efficiency at the California Public Utilities Commission. Her work there covered cost-effectiveness analysis, energy savings forecasting, utility shareholder incentives, and integrated distributed energy resource policy issues. Prior to the CPUC, Katie worked in CEQA and Superfund enforcement in California. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from UC San Diego.
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Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
Mike Florio is a former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission (2011-2016). Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Florio was a senior attorney at The Utility Reform Network, and served in that capacity since 1978. Commissioner Florio is a member of California Conference of Public Utility Counsel. He was also a member of the board of governors of the California Independent System Operator from 1997 to 2005. Commissioner Florio holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, a M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and a B.A. from Bowling Green State University.
Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
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Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
Mike Florio is a former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission (2011-2016). Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Florio was a senior attorney at The Utility Reform Network, and served in that capacity since 1978. Commissioner Florio is a member of California Conference of Public Utility Counsel. He was also a member of the board of governors of the California Independent System Operator from 1997 to 2005. Commissioner Florio holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, a M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and a B.A. from Bowling Green State University.
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Eric Martinot
Senior Fellow
Eric Martinot is a leading global thought-leader, speaker, author, and facilitator in the field of renewable and distributed energy—with over 25 years experience in technologies, markets, investments, policies, and business. He directs the Global Initiative for Distributed and Local Energy, has taught at several universities, has worked for research and policy organizations in eight countries (including China and Russia), and was formerly a renewable energy program manager at the World Bank. Many of his 75 publications are considered pioneering, notably the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report, which since 2005 has become an annual and widely-used source for millions. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from M.I.T. and a PhD in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley.
Eric Martinot
Senior Fellow
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Eric Martinot
Senior Fellow
Eric Martinot is a leading global thought-leader, speaker, author, and facilitator in the field of renewable and distributed energy—with over 25 years experience in technologies, markets, investments, policies, and business. He directs the Global Initiative for Distributed and Local Energy, has taught at several universities, has worked for research and policy organizations in eight countries (including China and Russia), and was formerly a renewable energy program manager at the World Bank. Many of his 75 publications are considered pioneering, notably the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report, which since 2005 has become an annual and widely-used source for millions. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from M.I.T. and a PhD in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley.
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Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
Rebecca Lee has more than two decades of experience as an educator and facilitator in social equity, human rights and the environment. She began her work in clean energy policy leading the regulatory team at Sungevity, a residential solar developer. She currently convenes discussions with regulators, policymakers and cleantech business leaders to advance California’s decarbonization goals. Prior to her work in clean energy, she was a professor and academic researcher specializing in the intersection of race, class and gender in politics and culture. During her tenure, she partnered with community-based organizations to improve college access and success for low income and underrepresented groups. She also mentored student-led initiatives focused on racial and environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
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Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
Rebecca Lee has more than two decades of experience as an educator and facilitator in social equity, human rights and the environment. She began her work in clean energy policy leading the regulatory team at Sungevity, a residential solar developer. She currently convenes discussions with regulators, policymakers and cleantech business leaders to advance California’s decarbonization goals. Prior to her work in clean energy, she was a professor and academic researcher specializing in the intersection of race, class and gender in politics and culture. During her tenure, she partnered with community-based organizations to improve college access and success for low income and underrepresented groups. She also mentored student-led initiatives focused on racial and environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
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Deborah Shields
Operations and Communications Director
Deborah is Gridworks Operations and Communications Director managing all financial, administrative and communications functions for Gridworks bringing significant experience in overseeing large projects and leading process improvements for a variety of organizations. Prior to her current position, Deborah was brand engagement manager at Current TV in San Francisco. She has extensive experience in advertising, sales and marketing with such organizations as FOX Broadcasting Co., New Line Cinema and 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of California, San Diego.
Deborah Shields
Operations & Communications
Director
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Deborah Shields
Operations and Communications Director
Deborah is Gridworks Operations and Communications Director managing all financial, administrative and communications functions for Gridworks bringing significant experience in overseeing large projects and leading process improvements for a variety of organizations. Prior to her current position, Deborah was brand engagement manager at Current TV in San Francisco. She has extensive experience in advertising, sales and marketing with such organizations as FOX Broadcasting Co., New Line Cinema and 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of California, San Diego.
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Rehana Aziz
Project Manager
After graduating from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Rehana discovered her passion for the energy sector, amid the peak of the energy shortfall crisis in Pakistan. Previously she worked at REON Energy Pakistan as Solar PV Product Manager and gained 7+ years of experience in the Solar PV industry, including system design, cost estimations and product development for residential, industrial and commercial PV solutions. With her passion for creating equal opportunity for men & women in the renewable energy sector, she has launched “SHE in Energy” & “Solar for HER”. Rehana started the Energy Systems Management program at University of San Francisco under the Fulbright scholarship. To her, working in the energy sector is not only important for her personal career path but also essential to serve the planet and establish a safer environment.
Rehana Aziz
Project Manager
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Rehana Aziz
Project Manager
After graduating from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Rehana discovered her passion for the energy sector, amid the peak of the energy shortfall crisis in Pakistan. Previously she worked at REON Energy Pakistan as Solar PV Product Manager and gained 7+ years of experience in the Solar PV industry, including system design, cost estimations and product development for residential, industrial and commercial PV solutions. With her passion for creating equal opportunity for men & women in the renewable energy sector, she has launched “SHE in Energy” & “Solar for HER”. Rehana started the Energy Systems Management program at University of San Francisco under the Fulbright scholarship. To her, working in the energy sector is not only important for her personal career path but also essential to serve the planet and establish a safer environment.
BOARD
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Tony Brunello
Founder
Tony Brunello founded Gridworks in 2010 to help policy-makers tackle the most difficult issues in decarbonizing electricity grids. Gridworks helps utility commissions, electric utilities, policy advocates and others identify solutions to challenging grid issues, develop solutions and make them operational in practice. Tony, a former top energy official in California, has worked on energy and environmental issues at the state, national, and international level for the past 20 years for industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Tony is also a Partner at California Strategies, one of California’s largest strategic policy consulting firms. Tony has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Economics from University College London and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters.
Tony Brunello
Founder
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Tony Brunello
Founder
Tony Brunello founded Gridworks in 2010 to help policy-makers tackle the most difficult issues in decarbonizing electricity grids. Gridworks helps utility commissions, electric utilities, policy advocates and others identify solutions to challenging grid issues, develop solutions and make them operational in practice. Tony, a former top energy official in California, has worked on energy and environmental issues at the state, national, and international level for the past 20 years for industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Tony is also a Partner at California Strategies, one of California’s largest strategic policy consulting firms. Tony has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Economics from University College London and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters.
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Manal Yamout
Chair
Manal is a Partner at Caliber Strategies, a boutique consulting firm focused on bringing disruptive energy technologies to market. Previously, Manal co-founded and was Senior Vice President of Policy and Markets for AMS, a leading distributed energy storage and software company. She served as Director of Government Affairs for NextEra Energy/Florida, Power & Light—the country’s largest clean energy company. Prior to this, she served as renewable energy advisor to both California Governors Brown and Schwarzenegger. Manal jointly coordinated California’s effort to bring the state closer to its goal of providing at least 33% of electricity from renewables and worked to streamline permitting for tens of billions in in-state investment and ultimately 16,000 megawatts of electricity. In addition, she helped lay the foundation for Governor Brown’s energy program to develop 12,000 megawatts of distributed power in California. Prior to this, Manal served as California’s Assistant Secretary for International Trade, Special Assistant to First Lady Maria Shriver and as an Executive Fellow in the Office of the Governor. Manal holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a degree in Biology from CSU San Marcos.
Manal Yamout
Chair
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Manal Yamout
Chair
Manal is a Partner at Caliber Strategies, a boutique consulting firm focused on bringing disruptive energy technologies to market. Previously, Manal co-founded and was Senior Vice President of Policy and Markets for AMS, a leading distributed energy storage and software company. She served as Director of Government Affairs for NextEra Energy/Florida, Power & Light—the country’s largest clean energy company. Prior to this, she served as renewable energy advisor to both California Governors Brown and Schwarzenegger. Manal jointly coordinated California’s effort to bring the state closer to its goal of providing at least 33% of electricity from renewables and worked to streamline permitting for tens of billions in in-state investment and ultimately 16,000 megawatts of electricity. In addition, she helped lay the foundation for Governor Brown’s energy program to develop 12,000 megawatts of distributed power in California. Prior to this, Manal served as California’s Assistant Secretary for International Trade, Special Assistant to First Lady Maria Shriver and as an Executive Fellow in the Office of the Governor. Manal holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a degree in Biology from CSU San Marcos.
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Audrey Lee
At Sunrun Audrey deploys and aggregates home solar, batteries, and other energy services to serve residential customers, utilities, and grid operators in creating a more affordable, clean, reliable electricity grid. Previously, Audrey was VP of Analytics & Design at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and led policy and analysis at the CA Public Utilities Commission President’s office. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University. Audrey and her team at Sunrun were recently recognized by Utility Dive as the “Disruptor of the Year.”
Audrey Lee
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Audrey Lee
At Sunrun Audrey deploys and aggregates home solar, batteries, and other energy services to serve residential customers, utilities, and grid operators in creating a more affordable, clean, reliable electricity grid. Previously, Audrey was VP of Analytics & Design at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and led policy and analysis at the CA Public Utilities Commission President’s office. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University. Audrey and her team at Sunrun were recently recognized by Utility Dive as the “Disruptor of the Year.”
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Aimee Barnes
Aimee has over 15 years’ experience in climate, energy and sustainability, spanning the state, federal and international levels, and the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She currently runs her own consulting practice, Hua Nani Partners, and serves as senior advisor at the California-China Climate Institute, which was established to spur further climate action and dialogue between California and China. Aimee has also served previously as Senior Advisor to California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Deputy Secretary for Border and Intergovernmental Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency, and was a partner at Allotrope Partners. She has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and a BA from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies.
Aimee Barnes
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Aimee Barnes
Aimee has over 15 years’ experience in climate, energy and sustainability, spanning the state, federal and international levels, and the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She currently runs her own consulting practice, Hua Nani Partners, and serves as senior advisor at the California-China Climate Institute, which was established to spur further climate action and dialogue between California and China. Aimee has also served previously as Senior Advisor to California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Deputy Secretary for Border and Intergovernmental Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency, and was a partner at Allotrope Partners. She has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and a BA from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies.
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Todd Achilles
Todd Achilles is the President & CEO of Edge Networks, Inc. Todd has spent his career in product, engineering, marketing and sales roles within the tech and telecom sectors. Previously, Todd was VP/GM for Consumer Mobility at Hewlett-Packard where he led the worldwide business unit as well as HP’s global connectivity initiatives. At HTC, Todd was employee #2 and led the Americas region where he grew the smartphone leader to over a billion dollars in revenue. At T-Mobile, Todd led the product management team and was responsible for a $2B devices portfolio and 16M mobile devices per year. Todd also serves as a principal at Xanthus Energy Partners, which applies next generation connectivity to make energy demand more responsive.
A former U.S. Army tank officer, Todd holds two U.S. patents and is an American Marshall Memorial Fellow. He is board vice chair of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, an education-focused nonprofit that unites young people for a year of public service in under-resourced schools. Todd received his BA from Claremont McKenna College, his MBA and MAIS from the University of Washington, and MPA from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley where he also serves as a lecturer. Todd lives in Ketchum, Idaho with is wife and two kids.
Todd Achilles
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Todd Achilles
Todd Achilles is the President & CEO of Edge Networks, Inc. Todd has spent his career in product, engineering, marketing and sales roles within the tech and telecom sectors. Previously, Todd was VP/GM for Consumer Mobility at Hewlett-Packard where he led the worldwide business unit as well as HP’s global connectivity initiatives. At HTC, Todd was employee #2 and led the Americas region where he grew the smartphone leader to over a billion dollars in revenue. At T-Mobile, Todd led the product management team and was responsible for a $2B devices portfolio and 16M mobile devices per year. Todd also serves as a principal at Xanthus Energy Partners, which applies next generation connectivity to make energy demand more responsive.
A former U.S. Army tank officer, Todd holds two U.S. patents and is an American Marshall Memorial Fellow. He is board vice chair of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, an education-focused nonprofit that unites young people for a year of public service in under-resourced schools. Todd received his BA from Claremont McKenna College, his MBA and MAIS from the University of Washington, and MPA from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley where he also serves as a lecturer. Todd lives in Ketchum, Idaho with is wife and two kids.
