About SEPA

Sheri Givens joined Smart Electric Power Alliance as president and CEO in November 2022, leading SEPA’s work to address the most pressing issues encountered in the transformation to a carbon-free electricity sector. Her professional experience includes nearly twenty years in legal, regulatory, legislative, and external affairs in both the public and private sectors.

Immediately before joining SEPA, she served as vice president and head of U.S. policy and regulatory strategy at National Grid, where she led initiatives supporting the region’s vision for an equitable and affordable clean energy transition, net zero planning, and progress, stakeholder engagement, and utility of the future strategy.

Prior to joining National Grid, she consulted on utility consumer education and regulatory policy issues in energy markets nationwide. Sheri is the former governor-appointed Texas utility consumer advocate and served on the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates’ Executive Committee and both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Texas Reliability Entity’s Boards of Directors. She was also an attorney for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Legislature.

Sheri earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center. She currently serves on the Association of Women in Energy and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Boards of Directors. She is also serving on her third appointment as a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee.

Beth Eagle, CAE has been with SEPA since September 2013, bringing extensive experience in Human Resources, Finance, Association Leadership, and Program & Event design. Before joining SEPA, Beth held key operational roles with several non-profit organizations in Washington, DC.

In 2018, she earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland and a Master of Arts from George Washington University. Beth also serves on the Board of Directors of RE+ Events. She resides in Maryland with her husband, son, and two dogs.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]

Courtney Peterson is the Chief People & Culture Officer for the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a non-profit organization that envisions a carbon-free energy system that is safe, affordable, reliable, resilient and equitable. Courtney joined SEPA in 2024.

Prior to joining SEPA, Courtney spent three years at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the trade association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. As Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Diversity Officer at EEI, Courtney led EEI’s internal human resources and inclusion/belonging strategy and operations for its DC-based staff, as well as internal facility operations. Courtney also led EEI’s industry-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and practice, along with the business/supplier diversity program and served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD).

Courtney has spent over 20 years in HR and diversity/inclusion leadership roles across a variety of industries. She is on the faculty at Georgetown University and is certified as a leadership/executive coach. Courtney has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree from Robert Morris University, and an executive certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University.

Courtney has received numerous awards for her commitment to fostering inclusion, psychological safety and belonging in the workplace. DiversityGlobal Magazine named Courtney to its Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers list, and she has also been named to the Top Women Leaders of DC for 2024 by Women We Admire.

Courtney is passionate about youth mentorship and is the Advisor to the Top Teens of America in Montgomery County, MD, where she resides. She is also on the board of directors of the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) in Montgomery County, MD and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She resides in Maryland with her two teenage daughters.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]

Ukiah joined SEPA in 2023. He oversees SEPA’s efforts to build and strengthen partnerships with foundations, state governments, and federal agencies to generate resources in support of SEPA’s mission. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) with over 12 years of experience in partnership building, fundraising, nonprofit management, and program implementation.

Prior to joining SEPA, Ukiah developed and secured multi-million-dollar funding partnerships for a major international climate action initiative and spent 6+ years building funding partnerships with numerous public and private sector donors in support of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Solar Energy Association from 2021-23.

Ukiah holds bachelor’s degrees in Italian, French and Spanish from the University of Georgia and a Master’s of International Relations from American University.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]

Courtney Galatioto is the Vice President of Membership at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a prominent educational nonprofit with 1,100+ members nationwide. With over a decade of experience in the energy sector, Courtney plays a pivotal role in steering SEPA’s strategic initiatives, shaping the membership program to drive engagement, retention, and growth aligned with SEPA’s mission. She collaborates closely with members, ensuring tailored solutions and delivering value through research and programs.

Courtney previously held key roles in business development and member relations at the Alliance to Save Energy and served as a policy fellow in North Carolina. She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in energy and climate change and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]

Lesley joined SEPA in March 2025 and leads the organization’s research initiatives and industry engagement efforts to identify and share solutions to the biggest challenges facing utilities, technology partners, and policymakers as they strive to ensure clean, affordable, and resilient electricity for all.

Lesley brings over 15 years’ experience in state and federal climate and energy policy at both nonprofits and government agencies. She previously held key roles at the Bipartisan Policy Center, Oregon Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Her research and insights have been published in national and international climate assessments, academic journals, and popular media platforms. Lesley has Master of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of Washington, and her bachelor’s degree from Duke University. She lives in Washington, DC but escapes to the mountains for skiing and hiking whenever possible.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]