Reinventing Capital Projects: Talent, Transformation, and AI in Utilities

February 03, 2026
6F
Policy and Regulation

With more than $1 trillion in utility capital investment projected over the next several years, utilities are under mounting pressure to deliver capital projects with greater speed, consistency, and resilience. Meeting that challenge requires a fundamental shift in how organizations develop talent, modernize execution models, and integrate new digital capabilities—including AI—to improve capital efficiency, strengthen decision‑making and reduce uncertainty. 

Bringing together three utility leaders who are advancing that transformation across their organizations, the session will explore how utilities are rethinking talent development, operating models, and execution practices, while applying AI and analytics where they create meaningful value. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on what it takes to transform capital project delivery amid rising expectations, accelerating change, and increasingly complex system needs.

 

Session Sponsored by Accenture

Panel Moderator
Ali Sarhangian
Ali Sarhangian, West EVP, Utility Services - Accenture
Speakers
Thomas Davino
Thomas Davino, US Infrastructure & Capital Projects Lead - Accenture
Erika Schimmel-Guiles
Erika Schimmel-Guiles, Director - Portfolio & Project Management - San Diego Gas & Electric
Paul McGregor
Paul McGregor, VP of Wildfire Risk - Xcel Energy
Nick Martin
Nick Martin, General Manager of Distribution - Georgia Power/Southern Company