Katie Mehnert, CEO and Founder, ALLY Energy (she/her)

The modern architect of the energy workforce, Katie Mehnert is the Founder and CEO of ALLY Energy™ the community accelerating connections, jobs, and skills to drive an equitable energy transition. ALLY Energy is an inaugural member of Greentown Labs Houston, the top climate tech incubator in North America. Ms. Mehnert has held global leadership roles with BP and Shell in safety and environment during periods of financial crisis, spills, divestment, and globalization. Her early career included assignments with Duke Energy, Entergy, and Enron. Her corporate path drove her to entrepreneurship to help energy companies prepare for the looming talent shortage and workforce diversity needs to address energy poverty and climate change.

She was appointed Ambassador to the United States Department of Energy in 2020 during the Trump Administration and has testified before Congress on the clean energy workforce of the future. She was most recently appointed by the Biden Administration to the National Petroleum Council. She’s also a former Energy Institute Fellow and an advisor to Clean Energy for America.  

Ms. Mehnert is a speaker, author, and trusted source in the energy industry. She has been published in Scientific American, Forbes, The Hill, CNBC, and CNN. Her first book, Grow with the Flow, was published in 2020. She most recently co-authored Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy, a children’s book focused on energy careers. Mrs. Mehnert also has appeared in Hot Money, a documentary produced by Academy Award-winning actor, Jeff Bridges and Retired NATO General Wesley Clark on the financial complexities of climate change and finance, and Dirty Nasty People, a film on the future of the energy workforce.

Katie is a five-time World Major marathoner having completed London, Chicago, New York, and Berlin. Her husband is a legal executive with Baker Hughes. They live with their 13-year-old daughter, Ally, in Houston. 

 

Kevin McMinn is the Chief Operating Officer of ALLY Energy. He is an accomplished and multi-faceted executive with an entrepreneurial mindset and extensive experience developing transformational strategies for sustainable business growth. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled 17 legal and regulatory actions and 6 class action/trademark infringement lawsuits.

A visionary leader, Kevin is focused on achieving organizational objectives. He efficiently adapts to changing business climates, cultivates trusted relationships at all levels, from customer to C-Suite peers, and builds high-performing teams that are empowered to succeed.

Kevin's core competencies include P&L Ownership, Budgeting/Forecasting/Cash Flow, Strategic Planning and Startups/Turnarounds/M&A. He is focused on value creation, operational excellence and transparent communication while also leading Product Launches, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Talent Development & Team Leadership and Coaching & Mentorship. Additionally, he excels in Business Transformation activities such as Thought Leadership, Succession Planning and Customer & Employee Engagement.

Kevin McMinn brings a wealth of experience from various C-suite roles, having served as a high-level executive for companies such as Crius Energy, US Gas and Electric, Lucid Solutions, and Via Renewables.  He's a foodie with a flare for wine and gardening.

Michael Goodwin is the Chief Financial Officer of ALLY Energy.  Mike's experience includes responsibility for strategy, M&A, capital raising, operations, sales, and marketing with high-growth SaaS software and technology-enabled companies.  He has served in multiple capacities for companies including CEO, President, COO, and CFO. Michael has an MBA from the University of Michigan in Finance & Strategy and a Bachelor's from the University of Texas Austin.

As a seasoned project manager, Kerri has honed her craft through years of collaboration with C-suite executives, streamlining operations, and fostering cross-functional alignment. Her journey at ALLY Energy as Chief of Staff is a testament to her strategic prowess. Her key strengths include strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, relationship management, operational efficiency and change management. She loves transformations and fine-tunes processes, ensuring seamless execution. She turns challenges into opportunities. Kerri's passion and purpose lies in driving innovation and optimizing performance. With eyes set on the horizon, she eagerly awaits the ALLY Energy dynamics, ready to be a Force for Good. Kerri’s bio encapsulates her journey, strengths, and unwavering commitment to positive impacts.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster is a soldier, an engineer, a wife and mother, and a trailblazer. Lisa is a Managing Consultant with ALLY Energy; she advises corporations on how to recruit, train, and retain talent within their teams.

Lisa graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point Academy with a BS in Civil Engineering and was commissioned as an active-duty engineering officer. In 2002, Lisa deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and then again in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. While on active duty, Lisa completed her master’s in civil engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2004.​

​After being stationed for two years in South Korea, she left the Active Army to work for Royal Dutch Shell for 12 years rejoining the Army as a reservist in 2012. From April to October 2015, Lisa took a six-month leave of absence and attended Army Ranger School, being one of three females that graduated from the first integrated Ranger School course.​

​In 2019, Lisa left Royal Dutch Shell to become the Director of Civil Engineering at M&S Engineering in Spring Branch, Texas. In August of 2022, Lisa chose to leave corporate America to follow her life’s ambition. She now works as an Executive Coach, Leadership Development Expert, and Keynote Speaker. In 2023, Lisa published her first manuscript. “Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School,” which hit Amazon’s Best Seller’s List in two categories. She continues to serve in the US Army Reserve with over 17 years of military service. Lisa prides herself in working with clients to improve their effectiveness both in and outside of the office environment. 

Laura Aiken founded Thrive Leadership after a ten-year career in engineering and construction to help companies help their people thrive.  She’s worked and led teams on several multibillion-dollar engineering and construction projects in the energy industry has led DEI programming including strategic planning, inclusive leadership, ally engagement, and business resource groups for over 50,000 employees, and has facilitated resiliency training for a construction workforce of over 6,000 people. Laura is a part of the team delivering our member programming. She graduated from the University of Bath in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Materials and Biomedical Engineering.

Arquella Hargrove is a sought-after facilitator, leadership consultant, speaker, and coach dedicated to the transformative and sustainable results of people through development. She is an author of Coaching Perspectives, Leadership Coaching Strategies Chapter. A moderator and frequent panel speaker in the areas of diversity, women in leadership, and social capital, as well as a contributor to publications, such as, Workforce Magazine. She holds 11 licenses and certifications in professional development and coaching. She helps business leaders build stronger, more effective teams and companies. Arquella is a part of the team delivering our ALLY Academy. She received her MBA from Texas Woman’s University.

Shan'ta Moore is an experienced executive administrative assistant with expertise in sales, marketing, lead generation, executive administration, business setup, and process and program management. She has worked with prestigious companies such as Instasist, YP Holdings, and Megas Corp. Shan'ta specializes in coaching/consulting businesses, startup companies, sales and marketing agencies, and real estate companies. She is a great team player with exceptional leadership skills, communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Shan'ta is proficient in various software and has excellent data entry and transcription skills.

Shan'ta grew up in a small town in Kansas but now resides in Houston with her two adorably cute children. 

Jo Madriaga is the Operations Lead supporting product, technology and operations.  She has over 13 years of experience in Administrative, Personal, and Executive Assistant roles to C Level Executives at Siemens, Kempinski Hotels, Emaar Hospitality Group, and St. Regis Hotels.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism from Lyceum Northwestern University and is recently studying for her Master's in Digital Technology in Australia.

Zak Kinion is a former entrepreneur turned digital nomad.  He has experience as a co-founder, data scientist, product manager, software developer, and author with various companies including Indeed, Upwork, Carrot Creative, Warby Parker, HashiCorp, HireWith AI, and Jet.com.  Zak co-authored The Zero Dollar Workforce and is a constant study of growth hacking, software and product development.

Angela Gonzales is an experienced controller for multiple clients across various industries including SAAS, Oil & Gas, Creative Technology, Not-for-Profit, etc.   She's a strong accounting professional skilled in Account Reconciliation, Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), General Ledger, and Financial Statements/Reporting.  Angela attended University of Houston Downtown. 

Juliana is the Head of Houston Incubator and Chief Development and Investment Officer for Greentown Labs. A Board Member of the Angel Capital Association, Juliana is a Lead Investor of the Portfolia Rising America Fund that invests in BIPOC and LGTBQ founders, as well as the Portfolia Consumer and Rising Tide Funds. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, the Latinx Startup Alliance, the Houston Diversity Fund, the Investors of Color network, the French Tech and Impulse4women. A Kauffman Fellow experienced in Bridging the Gender Gap in investing, she is part of the City of Houston’s Women Commission. Juliana was the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund Director and the Managing Director of the Houston Angel Network. She was the Manager of the in the French Riviera's Sophia Business Angels network and Antipolis Innovation Campus and Project Manager of several International Projects funded by the European Commission. Previously, Juliana worked for 5 years in Singapore: first as an International Trade Consultant for the Trade Commission of Spain in a broad range of industry sectors and then as a Project Manager for the Asia Technology Office of Citigroup, leading projects at the international level. Juliana obtained an MBA at the London Business School and Haas School of Business in Berkeley, specializing in Entrepreneurship.

Ms. Michalowicz is an Advisor of ALLY Energy. She leads EDPR NA Distributed Generation (“EDPR NA DG”) project development and operations, in addition to, engaging key business partners in North America. Prior to EDPR NA DG, she co-founded and co-led C2 Energy Capital (“C2”), building an award-winning solar portfolio of over 300 MW spanning eighteen states. Ms. Michalowicz led efforts that resulted in diversifying C2’s customer base to include businesses, municipalities, healthcare, and educational institutions as well as capturing a growing number of corporate and retail market entries. At EDPR NA DG, she continues to focus on providing a stronger customer-centric approach to the development, construction, and operation of safe and clean distributed generation.

Ms. Michalowicz previously served as Vice President of Development at Healthy Planet Partners where she oversaw the development of the firm’s solar photovoltaic projects. She also served as Vice President of Development at Adamas Energy Investments where she led due diligence on over 1 GW of power generation opportunities.

She holds a BA Summa Cum Laude from George Washington University.

 Claire Broido Johnson is a senior operations and finance executive who runs the University System of Maryland Momentum Fund. (MMF) She has a proven track record in creating and managing successful businesses and driving operations (including as founder of SunEdison). She also guided the deployment of $11 billion in economic stimulus funds in 2009-2010 at the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Prior to MMF and after DOE, she ran CBJ Energy where she developed a energy efficiency financing product for Serious Energy, launched new products and new states for Next Step Living, and managed energy projects and research for Katerra.   She is on the Board of BlocPower.io, the National Sierra Club Foundation, Living Classrooms, and serves as an Advisor for several companies.   She lives with her husband and 2 kids in Baltimore.

Adam Quinton has invested in and advised several early-stage companies with a focus on diverse founding teams, proudly being one of the first investors in The Muse. He has also served as Chair of the North American Jury for the Cartier Women's Initiative for the past two years.

He is Board member and Treasurer at Holy Cross Energy based in Glenwood Spring, CO as well as Walking Mountains Science Center based in Avon, CO.  Adam is a Board member at International House in New York where he has Chaired the Development Committee and been a member of the Executive Committee.  He also currently serves on the Finance and Programs Committees of the House.

Previously Adam taught as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in New York City for seven years and was a Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. His last role at BofA was Head of Global Macro Research where he led a team of 175 professionals in 12 countries across the globe. Prior to that, he was a sell-side equity research manager in the USA, Latin America, and Asia was a top-ranked sell-side equity research analyst in all of Europe, Asia, the USA, and globally for telecommunications services.

Adam holds a BA and MA degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, England, and an MBA degree from the Bayes (formerly Cass) Business School at City University, London.

Rick Marriner, is CEO of RIL USA INC, a supply & trading division of Reliance Industries Limited, leads energy supply and trading operations across the United States from Houston. With a career spanning over 25 years in the global energy sector, Rick's expertise lies in physical oil trading transportation & logistics with recent experience in renewables, and petrochemicals. He leads a team focused on navigating the complex energy landscape, from the New York Harbor to the US Gulf Coast and along the Colonial Pipeline, and across the Americas focusing on delivering safe, cost-effective energy solutions to customers & trading partners.  

Rick's tenure at RIL USA INC is characterized by his strategic approach to expanding the company's footprint in the Americas while fostering innovative trading strategies and promoting safe and repeatable processes.   Previously, as VP & Director of Trading at Motiva Enterprises LLC, marked by the critical response to the Colonial Pipeline Cyber Attack, showcasing exceptional crisis management skills of the Motiva Supply & Trading Team. His broader role involved managing trading activities for transportation fuels, renewables, and petrochemicals, optimizing profitability while managing risk exposure.  

Rick's professional journey is underpinned by a strong educational foundation, with a BS in Marine Transportation & Logistics from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and an MBA in Finance and Investments from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in Malibu, California. His background as an OAicer in the US Navy and US Merchant Marine has been pivotal in shaping his strategic and resilient approach to leadership in the energy sector.

Tri Nguyen is the founder of Tri Nguyen Law Office PC. He has worked with Katie Mehnert since the formation of her first company and ALLY Energy’s parent corporation, Cognovi Communications, and more recently helped the company with its acquisition of Clean Energy Social. Tri’s expertise is in corporate formation, purchases, investment raises, advisory governance, and exits. Tri is also a member of the Houston Executive Advisors. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and his Juris Doctor of Law from UH Law Center.

Ms. Robak is a partner at Shackelford.  Marianne’s practice focuses on resolving business disputes and uncovering corporate fraud in federal court, state court and in arbitration. She represents businesses, oil and gas companies, banks, real estate investors, trusts, and individuals. She has served as lead attorney on matters ranging from complex breach of contract claims, fraudulent transfers, partnership disputes, banking litigation, breach of fiduciary duties, bank fraud, trade secret violations, employment matters, real estate fraud and other property disputes. She has spent her career successfully participating in jury and non-jury trials, arbitrations, evidentiary hearings, complex summary judgments, and appeals. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Robak also acts as outside general counsel for banks and small to medium-sized businesses throughout Texas assisting them with business transactions, negotiations, contracts and employment issues, as they arise.

While she is located in Houston, she handles business and oil and gas disputes on behalf of corporations and energy companies throughout the U.S. Ms. Robak has been a member of ALLY Energy’s advisory board since its inception. 

John is a Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches member. Three organizations certify him as a master coach: Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching, the International Coach Federation, and the MEECO Leadership Institute. He founded and has been a Managing Principal since 2005 at Quinn Reed Associates.

He has undergraduate and MBA degrees from Dartmouth and, as an organizational psychologist, a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia with an internship at Emory University. A Navy veteran, he previously worked in the strategy practice of Accenture and the government practice of CGI. He helps talented people excel further, serving C-suite leaders, partners, boards, executive teams, business founders, and other professionals.

John has 30 years of executive coaching and trusted leadership advising, executive assessment, leadership development, organizational change, and strategy consulting experience globally in the aerospace, biotechnology, chemical, construction, consumer products, defense, education, energy, entertainment, environmental services, the federal government, financial services, healthcare, legal, manufacturing, not for profit, pharmaceuticals, real estate, retail, and technology sectors.

Organizations supported for example: 3M, Abbott Laboratories, AGCO, AIG, Aker Solutions, AlEn, ALLY Energy, AstraZeneca, BASF, Benteler, Black Hills Corporation, BP, Brock Group, Calpine, Cameron, CBRE, CDI Energy Products, Children’s National Medical Center, CIA, Citgo, Clock Spring/NRI, Comerica Bank, Comfort Systems, ConocoPhillips, Covalus, CVS Health, Diageo, Dover Industries, Duke Corporate Education, Duke University Medical Center, East West Bank, EGC Critical Components, Exelon, ExxonMobil, Flix Entertainment, Gulfstream Aerospace, Hines, HydroChemPSC, ION Geophysical, ITW, IvyExec, John Deere, Jones Lang LaSalle, KIPP Schools, Lloyd’s Register, LyondellBasell, Macquarie, Memorial Hermann Health System, NASA, NGP Energy Capital Mgt., NRG, Occidental Petroleum, Oil States Intl., Panasonic, PetroChina, Raytheon Technologies, Recall, Schlumberger, Seyfarth Shaw, Shell, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Songwon Intl., Stepan Co., Sunbelt Steel, Texas Children’s Hospital, The Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, The CapStreet Group, The March of Dimes, The Menil Collection, The Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University, The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, The University of Houston, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Austin, The UT Health Science Center at Houston, Thomson Reuters, TransUnion, US Foods, Vinson & Elkins and WakeMed Health & Hospitals.

John is a Founding Fellow and Contributing Author of the Institute of Coaching at McLean/Harvard Medical School. His book 'Pinpointing Excellence' for example is a popular guide for evaluating and selecting coaches.

He teaches MBA courses as an adjunct professor and contributes as a speaker and writer. He is the 2013-14 president and a member of the Society of Psychologists in Leadership, and a member of the Society of Consulting Psychology. His psychologist license was granted in 2000.

In volunteering, John cares about education and supporting children and veterans. He has a history of board service, for example as the 2016-17 president of an inner-city Houston school, the Nehemiah Center. He supports institutions including the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College and Deerfield Academy.

He and his wife Perry Ann, a healthcare executive, have four grown children.