About SEPA

Sheri Givens has served as President and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) since November 2022. SEPA is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, membership-focused organization comprised of over 1,000 members – including investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, public power, corporations, technology companies, state utility commissions, consumer advocates, academic institutions, and other clean energy stakeholders nationwide – focused on accelerating an affordable, reliable, resilient, and equitable transformation to a clean energy system through actionable solutions, shared best practices, and industry collaboration.

Givens’ professional experience includes over twenty years in legal, regulatory, legislative, and external affairs in both the public and private sectors. She has worked for an investor-owned utility, a utility regulatory commission, a state utility consumer advocate’s office, and as an independent energy consultant. She is a frequent speaker and writer on domestic and international energy issues.

Givens joined SEPA after serving as vice president and head of U.S. policy and regulatory strategy at National Grid, an investor-owned utility in the U.S. Northeast. She led and supported the company’s efforts toward an equitable and affordable clean energy transition, net zero planning and progress, customer offerings, legislative strategy, external stakeholder engagement, and future of electric and heat strategy for Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.

Prior to joining National Grid, she developed a national reputation heading an independent consulting company providing advisory services on energy markets, consumer education, and regulatory policy issues for trade associations, non-profit organizations, domestic and international utilities, federal and state governmental entities, consumer advocates, and policymakers.

Givens spent over ten years in public service in several senior roles in Texas. She served as an attorney for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Legislature. She was the Governor-appointed Texas utility consumer advocate who led the state’s Office of Public Utility Counsel representing over 20 million residential and small business electric and communications customers in regulatory, legislative, and legal proceedings and hearings. As the consumer advocate, she initiated a first-of-its-kind statewide consumer education campaign, frequently meeting in person with consumers to discuss energy education and assistance related to their homes and businesses. In 2013, the Association for the United States Army awarded her the Citation for Exceptional Service in Support of National Defense for her statewide military consumer education program and advocacy. She also represented residential and small business consumers on both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Texas Reliability Entity’s Boards of Directors. Givens was elected by fellow nationwide consumer advocates to serve on the Executive Committee of National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and in 2018, NASUCA recognized her dedication and contributions to the organization and consumers by presenting her with the Irwin “Sonny” Popowsky Outstanding Service Award.

Givens 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 is a licensed attorney in Texas.

She currently serves on the RE+ Events Board (Co-Chair) and as an Ambassador for the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She previously served on the DOE’s Electricity Advisory Committee, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Board, Keystone Energy Board, Association of Women in Energy Board, Northeast Clean Energy Council Board, and Boston Green Ribbon Commission.

As Chief Administrative Officer, Courtney Chisholm leads SEPA’s Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Technology & Information Management, and Organizational Effectiveness teams, bringing together people, systems, and strategy to strengthen the organization’s operational excellence and long-term performance.

Courtney brings more than two decades of leadership experience across nonprofit, corporate, and association sectors. Prior to joining SEPA, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Chief Administrative Officer for the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) and Chief Human Resources Officer for Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC.

A recognized industry leader, Courtney has been named one of Washington, D.C.’s Top Women Leaders by Women We Admire and one of the Top 100 Women to Know in America by J.P. Morgan Chase.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science from Robert Morris University. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC), she also holds an Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University, where she serves as adjunct faculty.

Beyond her professional roles, Courtney is a passionate advocate for mental health and youth development. She serves on the Board of Directors of NAMI Montgomery County, mentors young leaders in her community and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She resides in Maryland with her two daughters.

Phone: 202.857.0898     Email: [email protected]

Monica Trauzzi has served as Chief Communications Officer of the Smart Electric Power Alliance since August 2025. She leverages two decades of experience at the intersection of energy and climate communications and public affairs, driving innovative, breakthrough strategies that create measurable impacts. At SEPA, she oversees communications, marketing, brand, and Public Utilities Fortnightly, amplifying SEPA and its members across the energy ecosystem and beyond.

As a former journalist, Monica connects through compelling and easy-to-digest storytelling on complex topics. She specializes in integrated, multi-media approaches to communications, gaining mainstream media attention and engaging policymakers, business leaders, and other key stakeholders. Prior to SEPA, as a Senior Director at Invariant, Monica developed and led the execution of energy and sustainability strategies for companies ranging from the Fortune 100 to startups. Monica also served as the Senior Director of External Communications and Climate Finance Strategy at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). At NEI, she led the communications strategy to position nuclear as a central solution to climate change. She launched and hosted Off the Menu with Monica Trauzzi, an innovative restaurant-based video series that shed nuclear energy in a new light. Monica began her career at E&E News, serving as the Managing Editor and Anchor of E&E’s video programming, including E&E’s daily interview program, OnPoint with Monica Trauzzi.

Monica holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

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 1,000 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]

Frank Grace is the Vice President of Technology and Information Management at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA). Since joining in February 2010, Frank has leveraged more than 15 years of leadership to transform SEPA’s technology and data infrastructure into a strategic asset that enables innovation and scale. He leads enterprise-wide modernization efforts, including the transition from legacy systems to flexible, cloud-based platforms, work that earned SEPA the Fonteva Innovator Award.

In his expanded role, Frank oversees SEPA’s technology strategy, including data governance, cybersecurity, and digital platforms. He has been instrumental in positioning SEPA as an AI-forward, people-first organization, ensuring that advances like agentic AI are deployed responsibly to augment work and support mission delivery. A Certified Association Executive (CAE) and 4x Salesforce-certified leader, Frank is a sought-after speaker on the future of association technology. He holds a degree in Public Relations and Political Science from Virginia Tech. Frank lives in Virginia with his wife and two children and enjoys golfing and exercising in his free time.

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]

Rachel Bryant leads the editorial and strategic direction of Public Utilities Fortnightly (PUF), the industry’s premier platform for utility, regulatory, and policy dialogue. An engineer and attorney, Rachel brings a rare blend of technical, legal, and policy expertise to her role—grounded in nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of grid modernization, regulatory innovation, and emerging technologies.

Before stepping into the Executive Editor role, Rachel served as PUF’s Deputy Editor, working closely with longtime editor Steve Mitnick during the magazine’s transition to SEPA ownership. She previously held senior positions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), and GridX, where she helped bridge the perspectives of utilities, regulators, and technology innovators navigating a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and her Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School. She is widely recognized for her credibility, analytical rigor, and commitment to fostering constructive dialogue across the utility ecosystem.

Outside of work, Rachel finds creative expression in stand-up comedy and charcoal drawing, and she loves spending time exploring Colorado’s hiking trails with her two children.