Evolving VPP Deployments: The Next Frontier of DER Management

Gisela leads our Virtual Power Plant business and oversees the growth and health of Uplight’s Distributed Energy Partner ecosystem. With a career spanning over 15 years in the energy industry, she brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of excellence. Prior to joining, Gisela led Nest’s Smart Home and Energy Partnerships at Google, with a focus on formulating and executing growth strategies for cutting-edge products and cultivating strategic partnerships. Prior to Google, Gisela held various positions in business development and marketing leadership at Bloom Energy and Constellation Energy. She holds a BA from The University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance.

As Senior Director of Grid Strategy, Lakin manages a research portfolio focused on making the distribution grid – the backbone of the clean energy transition – flexible and resilient to better serve all customers affordably. With 18 years of energy industry experience, Lakin specializes in load flexibility, working closely with SEPA’s membership to identify key strategies and tactics for the cost-effective deployment of resources.

Lakin spent 9 years with The Cadmus Group, most recently as Principal of the Planning and Assessment team, where he managed a team of interdisciplinary consultants who specialized in demand-side management analyses for integrated resource planning for a wide range of utility, government, and non-governmental organization clients. Before Cadmus, Lakin was a Senior Planning Project Manager at the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Lakin has a BBA in International Business from the University of Georgia and an MS in Economics from Portland State University. He lives in Athens, Georgia, with his wife and two sons.

Lee Evans is Director of Pricing & Rates for Georgia Power, where he leads the company’s pricing strategy in developing innovative customer solutions. Additionally, Lee oversees the design, administration, and application of the company’s retail tariff. Previously, he served as Director of Economics & Load Flexibility at Southern Company, where he managed the design, valuation, and planning of new load flexibility programs including customer-sited DERs, VPP programs, and demand response. Lee holds a B.S. in Financial Management from Clemson University and a M.S. in Finance from Georgia State University, and has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Finance at the University of West Florida.

Stacy Phillips leads Duke Energy’s Demand Response team.  During her 13 years of experience at Duke, Stacy has managed customer programs and strategy in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy as well.  Prior to utility work, Stacy worked in financial services, marketing agencies and packaged goods in marketing and operations roles.  She resides in Charlotte, NC.