New York Energy Week was led by a dynamic Board of Directors with 100+ years of energy industry experience combined across disciplines in utilities, media, government, academia, law and finance. To begin our “Meet the Board” series we’d like to introduce you to ESF’s Chief Marketing Officer Emily Bjorklund.
Mei Poon: What are your expectations or vision for New York Energy Week five years from now?
Emily Bjorklund: Five years from now we want New York Energy Week to be THE industry summit everyone in the energy comes to to make and hear major industry announcements and network with global leaders, similar to Davos, or Fashion Week, or SXSW. The energy industry’s attitude towards marketing, tech, and innovation is changing and we want New York Energy Week to be the pioneer event series leading the change.
MP: What are you most excited about for New York Energy Week 2014?
EB: I’m most excited for the global perspectives we will have this year. The week will start out addressing innovation and market reform from the State’s perspective at the Opening Ceremony and then end with a similar discussion from a national and global perspective at the Closing Ceremony.
MP: What is your favorite invention/ technology in Energy sector?
EB: Even though batteries are not new or necessarily glamorous, power storage is quickly becoming the most important technology in the energy sector. It’s critical to everything – grid stability, resiliency, rate tariffs, demand response, consumer electronics, distributed generation, communication technology, electric vehicles, etc.
MP: What is one opportunity/ challenge you hope will be addressed during New York Energy Week 2014?
EB: New York Energy Week is the only cross-sector energy event series, which presents the biggest challenge and opportunity. The energy industry has a tendency to not only be fragmented, but also polarized. New York Energy Week is an opportunity to set all that aside and focus on aligning the policies, investments opportunities, technology and business relationships that will drive the energy industry forward.
MP: What is your favorite New York City landmark?
EB: The Guggenheim, I’m a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan. I also love visiting old-timey hotel bars, such as Bemelman’s inside The Carlyle.
MP: What keeps you up at night? (could you any work-related projects, issues, or personal stories
EB: New York Energy Week! I dream about it. I’m also currently watching season 4 of Breaking Bad, so that too.
MP: Personal Fun Fact: What is something people might not know about you? E.g. hidden talents, pet peeves?
EB: Even though I love New York and New Yorkers, I grew up out west and maintain my west coast identity. I also go to a lot of live music shows, and enjoy walking very, very long distances to explore new areas and neighborhoods.
