EVCAN is an Efficiency Forward organization. Efficiency Forward’s mission is to empower decision makers with reliable information and tools to reduce their energy consumption, and to support policies that decarbonize our economy, allow communities to thrive, support the environment, and facilitate economic success.
Regina Durga brings over 20 years of experience in guiding businesses, non-profits, and public sector organizations toward a low-carbon future. As Vice President of Sales for North America at Centrica Business Solutions, she leads strategic initiatives to deliver integrated energy solutions that help clients achieve sustainability, net-zero, and resiliency goals. Throughout her career, Regina has spearheaded teams that have developed over $500 million in comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for a diverse clientele, including educational institutions, federal agencies, housing authorities, and commercial enterprises.  
Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to delivering results-driven projects that not only meet clients’ energy needs but also contribute to broader environmental objectives. Regina’s approach combines innovative solutions with creative financing, enabling organizations to implement sustainable practices effectively.  
Regina is also an active participant in industry events, such as the Public-Private Partnership Conference, where she engages with stakeholders to foster collaboration and drive impactful energy project
Scott brings a depth of experience in leading complex organizations in the private and public sectors. With a commitment to public service and good governance, Scott has made significant contributions to improving the quality and effectiveness of the organizations he has led. His past positions include Executive Director of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the Director of Public Works for the City of Burlington, VT. Scott joined VEIC in 2008, and since that time has led the organization through a period of strategic growth with a focus on results, measured in increased energy savings. Under his leadership, VEIC launched two new energy efficiency utilities in Washington D.C. and Ohio, expanded its scope of services to include transportation and biomass, and gained statewide recognition as an employer of choice. In addition to setting the strategic direction and leading business development at VEIC, Scott serves on several boards of directors, including the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, and the Greater Burlington YMCA. He also served on the Vermont Governor’s Commission on Energy Siting until May 2013, and participated on the Commission on Climate Change. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine and also holds a Professional Engineer certification.
With over 15 years experience in the electricity sector, Patrick is an experienced people and thought leader in the areas of innovation, long term strategy, and partnerships. He is currently an executive at Microsoft for Power and Utilities Americas. Previously, Patrick was the Senior Manager of Partnerships in Innovation, Research, and Development at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) where he oversaw the Grid Innovation Fund and its portfolio of projects which funds innovative projects with significant potential to enable ratepayer cost savings and improved reliability. Prior, Patrick held various positions at Hydro One, including leading its 10 year distribution strategy and advising on grid modernization through SCADA technologies to improve system reliability. Patrick currently represents Canada as a National Expert in the areas of Transmission-Distribution Power Systems and Flexibility Markets at the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) as a part of the Internal Energy Agency (IEA). He sits on the boards of both Mohawk College’s Energy, Power, Innovation Centre (EPIC) and the DesignLights Consortium (DLC).
Meg Lusardi brings to the DLC board three decades of clean energy leadership in areas ranging from energy efficiency and renewable power to public policy and governance. With the heart of a true believer and the acumen of a pragmatic leader, Meg has devoted her professional life to designing and advancing initiatives that save energy and reduce carbon emissions in the public and private sectors alike.
As Executive Vice President of PowerOptions, Meg ran the day-to-day operations of a non-profit buying consortium dedicated to reducing the cost, carbon emissions and complexity of energy for some 500 non-profit and public entities in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. While there, she oversaw program offerings that included electricity and natural gas supply, turnkey solar projects, off-site renewables, efficiency, and clean transportation equipment and services.
Previously, Meg was Acting Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), capping a state energy agency career that included serving as the initial architect and eventual Director of the Green Communities Division. In addition to developing qualification criteria and directing the competitive award of over $10 million in grants to Massachusetts municipalities annually, Meg oversaw the deployment of more than $60 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to over 300 clean energy projects across Massachusetts. She was also responsible for DOER’s Leading By Example program, aimed at driving efficiency and increasing the use of renewable power at state facilities. The recipient of the New England Women in Energy and Environment (NEWIEE) Achievement Award in 2022, Meg continues to advance the Commonwealth’s efforts to rein in energy consumption as a member of the Massachusetts Energy Advisory Council.
Early in her career, Meg worked for nearly a decade as a project manager at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, at the consulting firm of Booz-Allen and Hamilton, and as Chief Operating Officer of Project Hope in Boston. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
As a Managing Director in the Tech Consulting team, Carlos excels in steering Energy companies through the intricate design and execution of transformation roadmaps, ensuring they achieve their strategic objectives. A bilingual executive with a wealth of experience in the energy sector, Carlos is recognized for his strategic foresight and exceptional execution capabilities.
His expertise encompasses the development of innovative clean energy solutions tailored for both customers and the grid. Carlos has successfully led numerous large-scale clean energy initiatives, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Grid Modernization, Solar Energy, and Electric Vehicles (EVs). He has a proven track record of cultivating high-performing teams that drive results.
Before joining EY, Carlos served as the Vice President of Customer Transformation at National Grid, where he oversaw significant transformation programs such as Customer Information Systems (CIS), AMI, and Data Management. He played a pivotal role in reimagining new customer products and has held various positions within National Grid, contributing to areas such as Energy Efficiency, Procurement, Supply Chain, Smart Grid, and the Transformation Office.
Larissa is an architect and urban planner with over a decade of international experience in urban innovation and smart city development. At Upciti, she leads strategic partnerships, focusing on implementing privacy-by-design smart city solutions that comply with stringent European privacy regulations. Her work involves collaborating with cities to enhance urban environments through technology, emphasizing transparency and public interest. Larissa’s recent projects include deploying Upciti’s sensors in Albany, New York, to assist with parking and traffic management, and participating in industry events like DISTRIBUTECH to discuss advancements in utility technology.
As Leader of Program and Business Development at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alecia Ward is responsible for development of Energy Technologies Area (ETA) research portfolio. The work supported by sustained funding of nearly $110 million spans research and deployment in buildings and urban systems; batteries and sustainable transportation; energy analysis and environmental impacts; and interoperability, grid modernization and demand response.
Ms. Ward is an expert on energy efficiency, sustainability and climate policy and adds valuable insight into the process of designing, deploying, managing, and evaluating energy efficiency, demand-side management, demand response, and renewable energy programs and policies. Working collaboratively, as a consultant and as a stakeholder advocate, Ms. Ward has advised investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities and their associations for more than 17 years. She has tracked energy and climate policy at an international, national, regional and local level for more than 20 years.
Over her career, Ms. Ward has served at the pleasure of two members of Congress and one President. Coordinating with federal agencies and maintaining active relationships with more than 70 state agencies, departments, bureaus, boards and commissions, Ms. Ward creates successful collaborative partnerships that bring solutions to scale.
Karen Zelmar is the former program manager for the Department of Energy’s $8.8B Home Energy Rebate Programs authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. Previously, Karen worked as the Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Volta Charging and as the Director of Clean Energy Programs at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), where she leveraged her experience in the technology industry while pursuing her passion for energy and sustainability. Karen has previously held leadership positions at multiple technology providers including AOL and Navteq, before moving into the energy industry. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.