Speakers

Kathleen Ward is a Lead Data Scientist at Opinion Dynamics with expertise in the econometric impact evaluation of clean energy and transportation programs. With 12 years of industry experience, Kathleen has worked extensively on the evaluation of residential load management programs, estimating demand impacts for thermostat and water heater demand response events, EV managed charging programs, and peak time rebate programs. Kathleen is currently serving as a lead data scientist for the EM&V component of the ComEd Residential Optimized Charging Pilot, which includes assessments of load impacts, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, customer bill impacts, and other benefits. She is also the lead data scientist for the Portland General Electric Smart Grid Test Bed Managed Charging Program Evaluation, which includes an innovative dynamic optimization approach to EV load management. In addition to load management, Kathleen has evaluation experience in experimental and quasi-experimental behavioral energy efficiency programs. Prior to joining Opinion Dynamics, Kathleen was the Head of Data Science at Vertis, a workforce analytics startup, and a Managing Consultant at Guidehouse, where she was a member of the Energy Analytics and Modeling team in the Energy, Sustainability & Infrastructure practice.