WASHINGTON, D.C., February 17, 2021 – Today, the GridWise Alliance announced Karen Wayland, Ph.D., current Policy Advisor will serve as the Alliance’s Interim CEO, effective March 1, 2021. This appointment follows the departure of current CEO, Steve Hauser, who will be leaving the organization later this month.

“The GridWise Alliance has built tremendous momentum around defining solutions to imminent challenges facing our electric grid,” said Gil C. Quiniones, GridWise Alliance Board Chair. “Karen has championed the Alliance’s policy efforts over the last year and has shined a spotlight on our organizations’ push to get $50 billion in federal spending for grid modernization. I look forward to working directly with Karen as she continues to lead this charge.”

“On behalf of the GridWise Alliance Board of Directors, I want to thank Steve for his many contributions to the Alliance. In his tenure as GridWise CEO, he navigated the organization through everchanging political environments by amplifying the messages of our members to inform legislators and regulators of the massive changes taking place throughout our nation’s electric system,” said Quiniones. “Steve’s passion to challenge current assumptions will leave a lasting impression on the Alliance. We wish him the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career.

Dr. Wayland is a recognized expert in national energy and environmental policy and served in leadership positions at the highest levels of government and nonprofits. At the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama Administration, she established a team for Secretary Ernest Moniz to conduct analyses and develop strategies for DOE’s work with states, local authorities, served on leadership team for the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), and was the primary author of the QER “Modernizing the Grid” chapter and policy recommendations. She also served as Senior Advisor for Domestic Energy Policy to the Deputy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

“The electricity sector is undergoing a rapid and exciting transformation, with grid modernization becoming an imperative to support reliability, resilience, security and clean energy,” said Wayland. “GridWise Alliance is at the center of this transformation, convening policy and technology conversations with our members and key stakeholders and policy makers to accelerate grid modernization. Steve has been helping to shape the national dialogue on the grid since he founded GridWise, and he is leaving big shoes to fill. I look forward to working with our member companies and organizations to continue the important work Steve has set in motion.”

Dr. Wayland also worked on energy and climate legislation for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid when he was Majority Whip. She has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations, including as CEO of the Clean Energy Project, Legislative Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Director on the Board of Center for Sustainable Energy, and Distinguished Associate at former Secretary Moniz’ think tank Energy Futures Initiative. Dr. Wayland is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Boston University Institute for Sustainable Energy and an Equity in Energy Ambassador at the U.S. DOE. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Connecticut and a Dual Ph.D. in the fields of geochemistry and resource development from Michigan State University.

Steve Hauser was a founding member of the Alliance and has been actively engaged as a member and advisor throughout its history.  Since 2000, he has brought together hundreds of companies to create a broad industry vision to transform the electricity sector, policies, markets, and technologies.

“I am very proud of the contribution that the GridWise Alliance has made to the industry over the last 2 decades,” said Mr. Hauser.  “There is clearly much more to do and I’m pleased that the current staff and Board are ready to step up to the challenges ahead.  I remain committed to the GridWise vision and mission and will continue to look for opportunities to support GridWise.”

About GridWise Alliance
The GridWise Alliance (GWA) represents the broad and diverse stakeholders that design, build, and operate the electric grid. Since 2003, the GridWise Alliance has been at the forefront of educating key industry stakeholders on the critical need to modernize our nation’s electricity system. For more information about the GridWise Alliance, visit: www.gridwise.org.