11:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Community Service Project & Lunch
Kick off SPARK with a hands-on community service project that fosters connection and gives back to the local community. Enjoy lunch with fellow attendees and build relationships and network in a relaxed setting. Transportation will be provided.

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Hosted Welcome Cocktail Reception
Start the evening with casual networking over cocktails, getting to know other attendees in a relaxed atmosphere before diving into the program.

7:30 PM – Dinner On Your Own
Explore the vibrant local dining scene alongside event sponsors and other attendees, giving you a chance to continue networking in a more casual environment.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Welcome, Safety Moment & Introductions

Set the tone for the event with a preview of the day’s agenda and an introduction to this year’s theme, “Rethinking Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership.”

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – Day 2 Keynote Fireside Chat: How Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy Are Shifting Priorities to Reach Sustainability Goals

Join us for a fireside chat with Seattle City Light as we explore how their priorities have evolved to meet ambitious sustainability goals.

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM – Group Activity: Book Swap

Engage in a fun, interactive session where attendees share excerpts from their favorite business or leadership books, sparking new ideas and discussions.

Facilitator: Sean Vanslyke, CEO, SEMO Electric & GOSEMO Fiber.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – Break

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Panel: Progress on U2030’s Vision & Roadmap

Join U2030 leadership as they share progress updates, key accomplishments, and exciting plans for the organization’s future.

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM – Ignite Talks: Enlighten Us but Make it Quick

Get ready for fast-paced, high-energy presentations on trending utility topics. Each presenter has just 5 minutes and uses 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds. It’s a crowd favorite for a reason!

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Executive Panel: The Future of Utility Leadership—What Top Executives Seek Today and How It’s Evolving

Top executives discuss how the leadership qualities they seek in the next generation of utility leaders have shifted, highlighting the new priorities and skills replacing traditional expectations to meet the demands of a changing industry.

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM – Lunch & Get to Know Other Attendees

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM – Annual Research Study: Interactive Data Walk & Hack the Data

Experience U2030’s key research findings in an engaging, hands-on format. Large, visually striking posters will display insights around the room, allowing attendees to explore in small groups, interact with the data, and contribute thoughts via sticky notes or a live polling app. Facilitators will lead the walk, offering deeper context at each station.

Following the walk, participants will break into working groups to “hack the data,” brainstorming new opportunities based on the findings. Each group will present a concise 1-minute summary to drive collaborative learning and innovation.

1:45 PM – 2:15 PM – Afternoon Keynote Fireside Chat: Balancing Modernization with Historical Preservation

Explore how utilities and city planners can work together to modernize infrastructure while preserving cultural and historical landmarks.

Speakers: Maureen Elenga, Transportation Project Reviewer and Architectural Historian, and Vanessa Edmonds, Executive Director, U2030.

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM – Break

3:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Utility Customer Panel

Gain insights directly from utility customers as they discuss current challenges, expectations, and trends shaping their experience.

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Day 1 Recap & Key Takeaways: Rethinking Priorities

Wrap up Day 1 by reflecting on the key challenges and insights and exploring how they prompt a reevaluation of priorities to drive future success.

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Women Who SPARK Awards Ceremony, RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program Graduation & Dinner

Celebrate the accomplishments of women in the utility industry during a special evening honoring Women Who SPARK award recipients and RADIATE Leadership Program graduates.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM – Day 2 Welcome

Start the second day recapping the most significant insights from day 1 and a preview of the exciting sessions and key moments.

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM – RADIATE Leadership Program Capstone Project Presentations

See the RADIATE Leadership Program participants showcase their capstone projects, presenting innovative solutions they’ve developed throughout the program.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – Break

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – CoE Lightning Round Panel

Hear a fast-paced Q&A with panelists answering your questions about utility challenges in quick, 2-3 minute responses.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM – Diversity of Thought Brainstorm Blitz

Join small groups to brainstorm actionable ways to enhance the diversity of thought within utility teams and how to prioritize this at your utility. After the session, each group will share their standout idea with the larger group.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Panel: Women Who SPARK TEAM Award

Celebrate the team that exemplifies innovation and collaboration in advancing utility industry goals as they share their journey and lessons learned.

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Fireside Chat: Women Who SPARK Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Hear from this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient as they reflect on their career and share insights on leadership and innovation.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Women Who SPARK Award Winners Ignite Talks

Listen to award-winning women in the industry deliver rapid, engaging talks on their experiences and insights into driving success in utilities.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Meeting Wrap-Up & Key Priorities Wall

Wrap up the event with a final reflection on key takeaways and final insights from the sessions.