The Energy Transition and Decarbonization Symposium

Joaquin Castillo

Joaquin Castillo is the Chief Executive Officer of Acciona Energy. Under his leadership, Acciona Energy has continued its dynamic growth, especially in North America. Castillo brings nearly 30 years of experience in the energy and utilities sector, holding senior positions at Acciona prior to becoming the CEO including Senior Vice President of Global Business Development, and Director of Global Business Development for Wind Energy. His previous positions include leadership roles at First Solar and ENEL Unión Fenosa Renovables (EUFER). Castillo applies his extensive experience in the development of large-scale renewable energy projects to further Acciona Energía's sustainable development mission. He holds an MBA from the IESE Business School of the University of Navarra and a degree from the Universitat Politècnica de Valencia.

Beth Deane

Beth Deane is a leading figure in the renewable energy sector, and currently serves as Chief Legal Officer for Electric Hydrogen. In this role, she oversees legal strategies and regulatory compliance for the company, which focuses on the development of advanced electrolyzer systems to produce clean hydrogen. Prior to joining Electric Hydrogen, Deane was Deputy General Counsel for Leeward Renewable Energy, where she managed legal affairs for a portfolio of 22 renewable energy facilities in nine states. Prior to that, she spent a decade as Chief Legal Counsel for Project Development at First Solar, one of the world's leading providers of solar photovoltaic systems. She holds a degree in Law from Yale Law School and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Cincinnati.

Sarah Delille

Sarah Delille is an experienced energy sector executive, currently serving as Equinor's Vice President of US Country Management. In this role, she shapes the company's strategy, manages business risk, and leads efforts in sustainability, social investments and stakeholder engagement. Delille previously served as Vice President of Workplace and Operational Excellence and Vice President of Business Development at Equinor, where she led global teams in executing mergers and acquisitions and drove business development across the oil and gas, renewable energy, and low-carbon energy sectors. Prior to joining Equinor, Delille worked at TotalEnergies and McDermott, where she gained extensive experience in offshore oil and gas and energy infrastructure projects. She holds a Bachelor's in Mathematics and Physics, a Master's in Mechanical Engineering with honors, and an MBA with a specialization in Finance and Marketing.

Michael DePompei

Michael DePompei is a distinguished Partner in the Tax Practice Group of Haynes and Boone, based in Dallas. His practice focuses on complex tax matters involving partnerships, real estate, and tax-exempt organizations. Prior to joining Haynes and Boone, DePompei was a Director in the Washington National Tax Practice Group at Deloitte, where he advised on the U.S. federal tax treatment of partnerships, real estate investment trusts, and tax-exempt organizations. DePompei leverages his tax law expertise to advise a diverse range of clients, including corporations, individuals, and nonprofit organizations, on federal income tax matters. He drafts partnership agreements with special allocations and specific capital accounts. DePompei holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago.

Andres Fernandez

Andres Fernandez is a leader in the renewable energy sector, and currently holds the position of Director of Alternative Energy at Energy Transfer. In this role, he oversees the development and execution of sustainable energy projects, driving the company's transition to cleaner energy solutions. Previously, he has held senior positions in several energy companies, where he managed large-scale renewable energy projects and contributed to important advances in the sector. Fernandez holds a degree in Engineering and has completed advanced studies in Energy Management, which has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead innovative energy initiatives.

Miguel Fontela

Miguel Fontela is a pioneer in the field of energy sustainability and currently serves as the Director of Sustainability and Energy at NTT DATA Green Engineering. Fontela has extensive knowledge of energy monitoring systems and related equipment, including energy meters, communications protocols, ICT and IoT platforms, and energy reporting dashboards. Previously, Fontela led the assessment and implementation of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) based on Energy Services Companies (ESCO) models or company-financed initiatives. His deep understanding of energy electricity and natural gas markets, including pricing, organization, distribution structure, and stakeholders, has been instrumental in optimizing energy supply purchases and contractual conditions. Fontela holds a degree in engineering and has completed advanced studies in energy management, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to lead innovative energy initiatives.

Sandhya Ganapathy

Sandhya Ganapathy is a pioneer in the renewable energy sector, and is currently the CEO of EDP Renewables North America. She joined in 2012 as Head of Investments and M&A for North America. From 2017 until her appointment as CEO in early 2022, she served as Global Head of Investments and M&A, overseeing investment decisions and asset rotation across geographies. She previously worked as an investment banker for over a decade, gaining extensive experience in financial markets and business strategy. She holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and is a Chartered Accountant of India.

Devin Hotzel

Devin Hotzel is currently serving as the Director of Federal Government Relations at Enbridge. In this role, he leads Enbridge’s federal government affairs and legislative strategy on Capitol Hill and within the Executive Branch. Prior to his current position, he served as Manager, Government Relations for Enbridge, managing legislative strategy and state government relations across multiple states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. His career in the energy industry spans over a decade, during which he has led public and government affairs campaigns for capital expansion projects worth over $6 billion. Hotzel is actively involved in various industry associations and community organizations. He serves on the advisory boards of the Carbon Neutral Coalition and the Texas Oil and Gas Association, among others. He holds a BA in Mass Communications from Texas State University and a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy from American University in Washington, D.C.

Walter Hufford

Walter Hufford is an experienced energy sector professional, currently serving as Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Repsol. His experience includes managing regulatory compliance, developing strategic partnerships, and leading energy sector advocacy initiatives. Hufford's work has been instrumental in advancing Repsol's mission to operate sustainably and responsibly in the U.S. market. He holds a degree in Geology and is a professional geologist, providing him with a solid foundation in understanding the technical and regulatory aspects of the energy industry.

Nathaniel Karp

Nathaniel Karp is a distinguished economist and currently serves as the Head of Sustainability Center of Expertise at BBVA. In this role, he conducts in-depth analyses of macroeconomic variables, monetary policy, and regional and industry trends to support the bank's strategic decisions. Karp joined BBVA in 2004, bringing with him extensive experience from his previous roles at Republic Bank, the World Bank, Mexico's Ministry of Education, and ATIIS. His expertise has played a pivotal role in driving BBVA's expansion strategy in the U.S. and navigating complex financial landscapes. Karp is a sought-after speaker and commentator on economic issues, frequently contributing to industry conferences and publications.

Eugene Kasozi

Eugene Kasozi is an expert in project finance, and currently serves as Managing Director, Cleantech Project Finance at BBVA. Previously, he was Head of Energy and Infrastructure for North America at Crédit Agricole, where he led a team focused on the origination, structuring and execution of energy and infrastructure projects. He was also Head of Energy and Renewables at Crédit Agricole in London. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental to BBVA's growth and success in the U.S. market.

Jeremy Kennedy

Jeremy Kennedy is a Partner in the Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group of Haynes and Boone, based in Houston. His practice focuses on upstream, midstream and downstream transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and project development. Kennedy has extensive experience representing oil and gas producers, operators, petrochemical manufacturers, oilfield service companies, and energy sector financiers. Before joining Haynes and Boone in August 2022, Kennedy was a partner at Shearman & Sterling, where he was part of the firm's Global Energy Industry Group. He holds a degree in Law from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude and was Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Tech Law Review.

Ivan Kozak

Ivan Kozak is a strategic leader in the consulting industry, currently serving as a Managing Director at Monitor Deloitte. In this role, he leverages his extensive expertise in strategy and operations to help organizations navigate complex business challenges and achieve transformational success. Kozak joined Monitor Deloitte with a wealth of experience in the energy sector, having previously held senior positions at leading firms where he focused on strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and operational efficiency. His work has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation for his clients.

Kenneth Medlock III

Kenneth Medlock III is a leading expert in energy economics, currently serving as the James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. He is also Senior Director of the Center for Energy Studies and an adjunct professor in the Department of Economics and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University. Medlock's extensive research work focuses on natural gas markets, energy commodity price relationships, and the economic drivers of technology adoption. He has published numerous academic articles and is a regular speaker on global and national energy issues. In addition to his academic roles, Medlock has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Energy Economics Institute of Japan and a member of the Advisory Board of the Payne Institute of the Colorado School of Mines.

Simon Oxley

Simon Oxley is a seasoned financial executive and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of XCF Global Capital. He leads the company's finance and accounting functions, driving its capital planning and acquisition strategy. Prior to joining XCF Global Capital, Oxley was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tellurian. He also held senior positions at Barclays Investment Bank and Citigroup Global Markets. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from Edinburgh University and an M.Sc. degree in Corporate and International Finance from Durham University Business School.

Leonardo Sancho

Leandro Sancho is a visionary leader in the energy sector and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Elecnor USA. Under his leadership, Elecnor USA has expanded its operations and strengthened its position in the American market. Sancho began his career at Elecnor in the Electric Distribution Division, quickly rising through the ranks due to his dedication and strategic acumen. He has held various senior roles, including Vice President of Elecnor Hawkeye’s gas division, where he played a pivotal role in expanding operations with major utilities like Con Edison and National Grid. Sancho applies his expertise in developing large-scale infrastructure projects to drive Elecnor’s growth and innovation. His leadership has been instrumental in forming strategic partnerships and enhancing the company’s service offerings. He is known for his problem-solving mindset and ability to foster collaboration across departments. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and has pursued additional degrees in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy.

Gustavo Torres

Gustavo Torres is a distinguished legal professional currently serving as the Vice President, General Counsel at Fervo Energy. In this role, he oversees all legal and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance and supporting the company's mission to advance geothermal energy solutions. Torres joined Fervo Energy with extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and energy sector transactions. Prior to Fervo, he held senior legal positions at various energy companies, where he managed complex legal issues and contributed to significant advancements in the sector. His expertise includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, negotiating contracts, and navigating regulatory frameworks. Torres's legal acumen and strategic vision are instrumental in driving Fervo Energy's innovative projects and regulatory strategies.

Abby Weaver

Abby Weaver is responsible for the planning of fuel, generation, transmission and wholesale power activities for the company. Prior to her current role, Weaver served as director of back office and support services for the System Planning & Operations organization with Entergy Corporation. Prior to this, Weaver worked as finance director for Entergy Texas. Weaver joined Entergy as an intern in the accounting department. During her career with Entergy, she has held a variety of roles including manager of RTO Settlements & Analysis, project manager of Energy Analytics & Business Support, as well as positions in supply planning and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans and an MBA from Sam Houston State University.