By Susan Waller, Executive Director, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future was proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s (USHCC) 4th Annual Energy Summit, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico from April 29-May 1. I’m especially grateful for our collaboration with Synthia Jaramillo, Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer at USHCC, whose leadership helped ensure a diverse range of critical perspectives were represented at the Summit. This year’s theme — Bridging the Energy Divide: Empowering Small Businesses in Conventional and Next-Generation Energy — set the stage for rich and impactful discussions. Over the course of three days, Natural Allies’ leaders, member companies, advisors, and partners joined industry experts for a series of critical conversations focused on balancing affordability, reliability, and sustainability in the evolving energy landscape. Together, we explored how to build a clean, dependable, and affordable energy future that supports the growth and success of Hispanic-owned small businesses and the broader business community across America.
April 29, 2025: Reception with New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine
Select members and stakeholders of Natural Allies had the opportunity to meet Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine at the Governor’s Mansion. The reception provided a valuable opportunity to advocate for the role of natural gas—working alongside renewables— in ensuring affordable, reliable energy and while reducing global carbon emissions.
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine delivers remarks at the Governor’s Mansion to kick-off USHCC’s Energy Summit 2025.
April 30, 2025: USHCC Energy Summit Programming
At the Summit, Natural Allies was well represented, participating on numerous panels and in keynote addresses:
Leadership Council Co-Chair, former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), delivered an opening keynote address and moderated a panel titled “Steering the Energy Transformation: Strategies from Industry’s Top Executives” which featured Tom Stricker, Toyota Motor North America Group Vice President, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Rudy Garza , CPS Energy President & CEO, and Puneet Verma , Avangrid Vice President Government Affairs.
From left to right: Tom Stricker, Toyota Motor North America Vice President, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs; Rudy Garza , CPS Energy President & CEO; Puneet Verma , Avangrid Vice President Government Affairs; and former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
Neel Brown, Managing Director of the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), which recently released an energy environmental justice report, served on a panel with former California State Speaker and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa titled “Energy Affordability and Security.” Moderated by Katie Wonnenberg, Public Private Strategies Principal and Natural Allies partner, the panel discussed energy burdens for Hispanic-owned businesses and families and the importance of cross-sector collaboration and infrastructure investments. Also serving on the panel was Julio Fuentes, National Hispanic Energy Council Chairman, and Leah Rubin Shen, Advanced Energy United Managing Director.
From left to right: Neel Brown, Managing Director of the Progressive Policy Institute; former California State Speaker and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Julio Fuentes, National Hispanic Energy Council Chairman; Leah Rubin Shen, Advanced Energy United Managing Director; and Katie Wonnenberg, Public Private Strategies Principal and Natural Allies partner.
Natural Allies’ President and Senior Vice President & General Counsel for Williams, T. Lane Wilson, engaged in a panel discussion titled “The Role of Energy in National Resilience and Economic Strength” and emphasized the vital role of natural gas infrastructure and permitting reform in driving U.S. growth. Moderated by Allison Weinberg , API Senior Manager, Lane was also joined by Douglas Turner, CEO of Agenda, LLC.
From left to right: Douglas Turner, CEO of Agenda, LLC.; T. Lane Wilson, Natural Allies’ President and Senior Vice President & General Counsel for Williams; and Allison Weinberg , API Senior Manager.
Finally, Natural Allies’ Senior Advisor and CEO of MAD Global Strategy, Mike DuHaime, delivered a keynote address on the importance of natural gas in an all-of-the-above energy policy and shifting political winds as Democrats reconsider zero carbon-only policies.
Mike DuHaime delivers keynote at USHCC’s Energy Summit 2025.
May 1, 2025: Congressman Ryan and Cynthia Hansen, Enbridge, Santa Fe Opera Address
The week concluded with former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Cynthia Hansen, EVP & President Gas Transmission & Midstream at Enbridge, sharing their Washington D.C. and C-Suite perspectives at a networking celebration at the Santa Fe Opera, emphasizing the importance of natural gas and renewables working together to power the economy. They also highlighted the critical role of collaboration between industry leaders, small businesses, and entrepreneurs in building a more resilient and interconnected energy ecosystem.
Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) speaks at ‘Women In Energy: Powering the Future’ session at the Santa Fe Opera.
Cynthia Hansen, EVP & President Gas Transmission & Midstream at Enbridge provides remarks at ‘Women In Energy: Powering the Future’ session at the Santa Fe Opera.
Looking Ahead
This conference offered a remarkable opportunity to engage with stakeholders advocating for Hispanic businesses and families. Looking ahead, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future is excited to strengthen its partnership with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to advance common-sense energy policies that ensure reliable and affordable power for all communities.