2025 Planning Team
The Houston Energy & Climate Planning Team is 100% volunteer-led and executed. Allies in Energy is a Texas 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization formed to create a sustainable annual week for Houston. Teams lead the execution of the formal program, help hosts put on successful self-organized events, and engage with a wide range of stakeholders. We thank the individuals, companies, schools, institutions, media outlets, civil servants, and non-profit organizations that make this happen.
Would you like to volunteer, or have your organization join in? Learn more here.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Lindsay Roe
Director of Digital Innovation, Core Laboratories and President, Allies in Energy
Elizabeth (Liz) Franzen
Managing Director, KPMG and Treasurer, Allies in Energy
James Prince
Chief Compliance & Integrity Officer, ADM & Board Secretary, Allies in Energy
Katie Mehnert
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, ALLY Energy & Board Director, Allies in Energy
Juliana Garaizar
Founding Partner, Energy Tech Nexus & Board Director, Allies in Energy
Monica Krishnan
Business Fellow, Breakthrough Energy & Board Director, Allies in Energy
Kent Johnson
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, CLS Wind & Board Director, Allies in Energy
STEERING TEAM
Ingrid Velasco
Chair, 2025 Houston Energy and Climate Week
Brandy Brazell Obvintseva
Principal, Gallant & Chair Communications
John Rowe
Co-founder, Houston AI and Chair, Innovation & AI
Peter Durand
Director, Alphachimp & Chair Arts and Culture
Jana Schey
Chair, Community Engagement
Monica Krishnan
Business Fellow, Breakthrough Energy & Chair - Food and Agriculture
Fernando Hernandez
Society for Low Carbon Technologies & Chair International
OPENING/CLOSING CEREMONIES
Kelly Zuniga
PR Account Manager, Harpswood
Katie Mehnert
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, ALLY Energy & Board Director, Allies in Energy, Houston Energy and Climate Week Advisor