The Kleinman Center will host a panel discussion between accomplished alumni working in the field of energy which will focus on preparing students for a successful entrance into the energy sector. Panelists will discuss their career trajectories, the lessons they have learned, the trends that they observe, and will offer recommendations to students interested in entering this sector. This program will be an invaluable opportunity for students and advisors. A happy hour reception will follow the alumni panel.
Please note this is an in-person only event. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Kleinman Center’s Energy Forum. In accordance with the University of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 guidelines, you will be required to wear a mask and present a green PennOpen Pass (for members of the Penn community) or PennOpen Campus Pass (for visitors) to attend. Further details for joining in-person will be emailed with your registration. Join us for a happy hour reception following the event!
Speakers:
Manu Asthana is the President & CEO of PJM, the largest power grid in North America and the largest electricity market in the world. He has extensive leadership experience across the electricity industry, including power generation operations, optimization and dispatch, competitive retail electricity, electricity and natural gas trading, and risk management, which he acquired across more than 21 years in the industry. Manu earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar and a Joseph Wharton Scholar.
As President, Badar Khan leads National Grid’s core, regulated business operations in the US; providing electricity, natural gas, and clean energy solutions to over 20 million people across Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. He is focused on driving the company’s vision of exceeding customer expectations and making the energy systems of tomorrow possible. He has over 25 years-experience across the energy value chain from electricity and gas sales & services, distribution, transmission, renewable generation, and exploration and production. Badar earned a degree in engineering from Brunel University in London and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Scott Kleinman joined the Private Equity Group of Apollo Global Management in 1996 and is currently the Co-President & Lead Partner. For the past decade, he has focused on Apollo’s cyclical industrial businesses, including companies in the chemicals, forest products, and industrial sectors. In 2010, Kleinman was named lead partner for Private Equity. Prior to 1996, he was employed by Smith Barney Inc. in its Investment Banking Division. Kleinman serves on the boards of directors of Momentive Performance Materials and Verso Paper. In 2014, he founded the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Kleinman received a B.A. and B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business, respectively, graduating magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Cherie Wilson joined Delta in March 2021 and is currently Managing Director of Government Affairs. Prior to Delta, Cherie was Director of Federal Affairs for General Motors (GM) where she was responsible for developing and executing legislative and political engagement in vehicle finance, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a seasoned legislative strategist, advocate, and coalition builder, Cherie has proven experience working with NGOs, PACs, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and c-suite leaders as well as senior and middle management in the aviation, automotive, consumer lending, and electric power industries. Cherie earned a BA in Political Science and Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University.
If you require any accessibility accommodation, such as live captioning, audio description, or a sign language interpreter, please email news@design.upenn.edu to let us know what you need. Please note, we require at least 48 hours’ notice. If you register within 48 hours of this event, we won’t be able to secure the appropriate accommodations.