Meet the Visionaries Behind Accelerating the Transition 2026
From California’s clean-energy leadership to national climate innovators, these distinguished speakers will share the strategies, technologies, and stories driving America’s clean-energy transformation.
Our keynote speakers represent some of the most respected voices in clean energy, policy, and climate innovation — sharing insights that inspire action and leadership across sectors.
Featured Keynotes & Plenary Leaders
David Hochschild
Chair, California Energy Commission
Leads California’s clean energy strategy and solar expansion. Cofounder of Vote Solar and recipient of the U.S. DOE Million Solar Roof Award and AES Person of the Year 2024.
Wade Crowfoot
Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency since 2019
Leads efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources. Advises as a member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s cabinet.
Oversees 25,000 employees in 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies to steward California’s natural resources and lead it’s clean-energy transition and efforts to conserve 30 percent of its land and coastal waters by 2030.
Former deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the Governor Jerry Brown, driving climate action.
Mark Z. Jacobson
Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Director, Stanford Atmosphere/Energy Program
Developer of roadmaps to transition states and countries to 100% clean energy.
Renowned for scholarship in global warming, meteorology and atmospheric science.
Kate Gordon
CEO of California Forward
Former Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm
Former Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Senior Climate Policy Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom.
Tyrone Jue
Director
San Francisco Department of the Environment
Amory B. Lovins
World-renowned energy strategist and author championing integrative design for a low-carbon economy.
Physicist and cofounder (1982) and chairman emeritus of Rocky Mountain Institute
Chief scientist, RMI, 2007–19; current contractor and trustee.
Energy advisor to major firms and governments in 70+ countries for 45+ years
Author/coauthor of 31 books and more than 700 papers
Integrative designer of superefficient buildings, factories, and vehicles.
A distinguished group of speakers — from clean tech innovators to policy influencers — will share breakthrough strategies, real-world success stories, and pathways to accelerating climate solutions nationwide.
Featured Speakers
Dan Kammen
Professor, UC Berkeley
Director, Ralph O'Connor Renewable Energy Institute
Ken Alex
Director, Project Climate
UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy & Environment
Cari Harris
Founder & Principal Consultant
The Butterfly Effect
John Harte
Professor of the Graduate School, UC Berkeley
Theoretical Physicist; Ecologist
Kurt Shickman
Senior Fellow
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Former Executive Director
Global Cool Cities Alliance
Bill Shireman
CEO and President of Solution Citizen
Co-Curator of the EarthX Congress of Conferences
Steve Nadel
Executive Director (Ret.)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Ian E. Monroe
President & CIO, Etho Capital
Co-Founder; Climate Positive Investing Alliance
Nuin-Tara Key
Executive Director of Programs
California Forward, Senior Advisor & Consultant
Michael H. Shuman
Economist, Author & Adjunct Professor, Bard Business School; Senior Researcher
Council Fire
Dr. Stephen Wiel
Board Member and former Founding Chair, CLASP
Former Head, Energy Analysis Dept, LBNL
Dan W. Reicher
Senior Researcher, Stanford University
Former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Dan Lashof
Senior Fellow
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Former COO
NextGen Policy Center
Leo Kayali
Founder, CEO
Invo Station
Mark Weiss
Chairman and CEO
Global Urban Development
Visiting Professor
UC, Berkeley
Saharnaz Mirazad
Executive Director
ICLEI USA
Igor Tregub
Member, Berkeley City Council
Strategic Partnerships Director & Senior Policy Advisor
Reimagine Power.
Board of Directors
Cari Harris
Founder & Principal Consultant
The Butterfly Effect
Dr. Stephen Wiel
Board Member and former Founding Chair, CLASP
Former Head, Energy Analysis Dept, LBNL
Kurt Shickman
Senior Fellow
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Former Executive Director
Global Cool Cities Alliance
John J. Berger
Board Chair and Executive Director
Author, Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth.
