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Reid (Rusty) Heffner

Reid (Rusty) Heffner is Vice President of Strategy at South 8 Technologies, a San Diego-based battery electrolye technology company. Prior to joining South 8, Rusty was Chief Technologist at global consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where he led a team of scientists and engineers in conducting technical due diligence on new energy technologies and in management of energy R&D projects. Rusty started his career in the software sector, which included development of solutions for transportation customers including Harley-Davidson, Mitsubishi Motors, and Nissan. Rusty earned an MBA from Georgetown University and a PhD in Transportation Technology and Policy from ITS Davis.

Baroody, Leslie

Leslie holds a B.A. in Economics (1981) from the University of California, Davis. In her early career she worked as an environmental-engineering consultant and utility analyst. Later in her career, after raising two sons (also UCD graduates) and working part-time, she joined the California Energy Commission (CEC) as an Energy Specialist in 2009 serving as the CEC liaison on the Governor’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Working Group and leading early initiatives to advance ZEV light-duty transportation electrification. In 2017 she transitioned to the California Air Resources Board where she continued as a ZEV liaison to the Governor’s Office, collaborated with other states and countries, and supported a new program to address sustainable transportation in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Yip, Kathleen

Kathleen is a Program Officer in the Industrial Initiative at Climate Imperative. She develops grantmaking strategies and associated grant portfolios around heavy industry. Before joining Climate Imperative, Kathleen spent over ten years advancing equity and clean energy and transportation policies through work in state government, advocacy, consulting, academia, and philanthropy.