--- title: "NUDC Conference: Assembly on the Avenue, May 28, 2026 in New Orleans" description: Please join NUDC in the Big Easy, leaders from utilities, regulatory agencies, suppliers, and associations as we roll up our sleeves on important topics. --- ![hero-content](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/hero-content.webp?width=560&height=800&name=hero-content.webp)   ![new-orleans-orig-size](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/new-orleans-orig-size.jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=new-orleans-orig-size.jpg "new-orleans-orig-size") # The Board of Directors of the National Utilities Diversity Council Invites You to Attend the Assembly on the Avenue ## May 28, 2026 at Dillard University Please join NUDC in the Big Easy for a gathering of leaders from utilities, regulatory agencies, suppliers, and associations as we roll up our sleeves and brainstorm on some of the most important topics of inclusion and sustainability. One hundred of the smartest people in our industry will join together to imagine next steps and help shape the future. We hope you’ll be one of them! Make plans to be part of this high-energy event! ### Hosted by Entergy & The Honorable Davante Lewis, Louisiana Public Service Commission *--- REGISTRATION IS CLOSED --- * ### Plenary Speaker ##### Lynn Good Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Duke Energy ![Lynn Good](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lynn_good.png?width=760&height=615&name=lynn_good.png) ![Maida-Coleman](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/Maida-Coleman.png?width=760&height=615&name=Maida-Coleman.png) ### Plenary Speaker ##### The Honorable Maida Coleman Commissioner, Missouri Public Service Commission; Chair, Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners ![Joi-Harris](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/Joi-Harris.png?width=760&height=614&name=Joi-Harris.png)   ### Plenary Speaker ##### Joi Harris President & Chief Operating Officer DTE Energy   ### Keynote Speakers: ![The Honorable Robert Kenney](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/John-Hudson.webp?width=750&height=607&name=John-Hudson.webp) ##### John Hudson Senior Vice President, External Affairs President, Entergy Charitable Foundation and Chief External Affairs Officer   ![Ann-Rendahl](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/Ann-Rendahl.png?width=750&height=607&name=Ann-Rendahl.png) ##### The Honorable Ann Rendahl Commissioner, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission President, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners ### Convened by: ![The Honorable Robert Kenney: NUDC Co-Chair](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/Honorable-Robert-Kenney.png?width=750&height=607&name=Honorable-Robert-Kenney.png) ##### The Honorable Robert Kenney President, Xcel Energy - Colorado, NUDC Co-Chair   ![The Honorable Davante Lewis](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/Davante-Lewis.png?width=760&height=614&name=Davante-Lewis.png) ##### The Honorable Davante Lewis Commissioner, Louisiana Public Service Commission, NUDC Co-Chair ![dillard](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/dillard.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=dillard.jpg) ### When: ##### May 28, 2026 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CDT ### Where: Dillard University  2601 Gentilly Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70122 ***Add event to calendar*** [![Apple](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-apple-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+apple)[![Google](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-google-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+google)[![Office 365](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-office365-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+office365)[![Outlook](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-outlook-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+outlook)[![Outlook.com](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-outlookcom-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+outlookcom)[![Yahoo](https://cdn.addevent.com/libs/imgs/icon-emd-share-yahoo-t1.png)](https://www.addevent.com/event/hmt6vl4n3vf2+outlookcom) [Register Today](https://conference.nudc.com/conference-registration?hsLang=en) ## Upcoming Events ##### Convo Day ### May 15, 2024 ###### One Hour Virtual Conversations on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging ###### 11:00 am EST | 1:00 pm EST | 3:00 pm EST ##### Welcome Reception ### May 29, 2024 ###### at the Westin Charlotte ###### 6:00 pm EST ### Accommodations The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans  921 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70112 **[Make a reservation at the conference rate of $249 per night. ](https://app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1765990318932&key=GRP&app=resvlink) ***(Due to limited hotel availability, it is VERY important you book your hotel room early.)*** [Make Your Reservation Today](https://app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1765990318932&key=GRP&app=resvlink) ![ritz_carlton](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ritz_carlton.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=ritz_carlton.jpg) ## Optional Convo Day #### NUDC Virtual Room #### Tuesday, May 12, 2026 ##### 8:00 am PDT ##### Navigating the New Normal: Supplier Diversity in a Shifting DEI Landscape ###### 8:00 am PDT ##### Capital Investment vs Customer Impact: Who Bears the Cost of the Energy Transition ###### 10:00 am PDT ## Welcome Reception #### The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans ##### Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM ## NUDC 2026 Assembly on the Avenue #### Dillard University, Professional Schools Building, New Orleans ##### Thursday, May 28, 2026 ##### Optional Light Breakfast ###### 8:00 AM ##### Welcome and Conference Overview ###### 8:55 - 9:35 AM ##### Plenary Talk ###### The Honorable Ann Rendahl ###### 9:35 – 9:55 AM ##### Sponsor Recognitions ###### 10:00 – 12:20 AM ##### Roundtable #1 ###### 10:30 – 12:00 PM #### Track A: Affordability is the New Reliability: Redefining Just and Reasonable #### Track B: Building Culture in a Remote First Workplace #### Track C: Supporting Women in Skills Trades and Field Operations ##### Networking Lunch ###### 12:00 – 1:00 PM ##### Plenary Talk ###### John Hudson ###### 1:00 – 1:20 PM ##### Possible Additional Talk ###### 1:20 – 1:50 PM ##### Roundtable #2 ###### 2:00 – 3:30 PM #### Track A: Insurance Requirements and Supplier Participation #### Track B: Building Partnerships with Community Organizations #### Track C: Rebuilding the Middle Class: Utilities as Catalysts for Community Wealth ##### Roundtable Reports, NUDC Update ###### 3:40 – 5:00 PM ##### Conference Concludes ###### 5:00 PM ## Conveners ## Upcoming Events ##### Convo Day ### May 22nd, 2025 ###### One Hour Virtual Conversations on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging ###### Convo A | 11:00 a.m. – 12noon EDT --- ###### Convo B | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT --- ###### Convo C | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT ##### Welcome Reception ### May 28, 2025 ###### The MGM Grand Detroit ###### 6:00 pm EST **The Honorable Robert Kenney, Co-Chair, NUDC**, President, Xcel Energy - Colorado **The Honorable Davante Lewis, Co-Chair, NUDC**, Commissioner, Louisiana Public Service Commission ## Honorary Committee **The Honorable Philip L. Bartlett II**, Chair, Maine Public Utilities Commission **The Honorable Rory Christian**, New York Public Service Commission **The Honorable Dr. Zenon Christodoulou**, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities **The Honorable Maida Coleman**, Missouri Public Service Commission **The Honorable Tammy Cordova**, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada **The Honorable Maida Coleman**, Commissioner, Missouri Public Service Commission **The Honorable Tammy Cordova**, Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada **The Honorable Karen Douglas**, California Public Utilities Commission **The Honorable Hwikwon Ham**, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission **The Honorable Jehmal Hudson**, Virginia Corporation Commission **The Honorable Frederick Hoover**, Maryland Public Service Commission **The Honorable Freddie King III**, New Orleans City Council **The Honorable Odogwu Obi Linton**, Maryland Public Service Commission **The Honorable Patrick O’Connell**, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission **The Honorable Stacey Paradis**, Illinois Commerce Commission **The Honorable Lea Marquez Peterson**, Arizona Corporation Commission **The Honorable Ann Rendahl**, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission **The Honorable Staci Rubin**, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities **The Honorable Douglas P. Scott**, Illinois Commerce Commission **The Honorable Daniel C. Scripps**, Michigan Public Service Commission **The Honorable Summer Strand**, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin **The Honorable Bonnie A. Suchman**, Maryland Public Service Commission **The Honorable Emile C. Thompson**, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia **The Honorable Ted Trabue**, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia **The Honorable Radina Valova**, New York State Public Service Commission **The Honorable Kathryn Zerfuss**, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ### Advisory Committee **Rebecca Aguilera Gardner**, Veterans in Business Network **Linda Akutagawa**, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics **Diane Antishin**, DTE Energy **Jill Bray**, SoCalGas **The Honorable Ronald Brisé**, The Arrow Group **The Honorable James Campos**, Red Post Energy **Kwame Canty**, Edison Electric Institute **Jennifer Capitolo**, California Water Association **Courtney Chisholm**, Smart Electric Power Association **Jessica Civello**, Entergy **Regina Davis**, Assistant Executive Director of the National **Jim Devine**, Nexus Water Group **Jeanette Diaz**, San Gabriel Water Compan **Maureen Duffy**, American Water **Christopher Duncan**, Exelon **Paula Glover**, Alliance to Save Energy **Missy Henriksen**, Center for Energy Workforce Development **Cory Horton**, Entergy **Lauren James**, Suburban Water **Shatina Jones**, Michigan Public Service Commission **The Honorable Robert Kenney**, Xcel Energy - Colorado **Joan Kerr**, Kerr Strategies **Jay Knott**, American Association of Blacks in Energy **The Honorable Lori Murphy Lee**, PJM **Vernice Lewis**, Exelon **Telma Lopez**, Southwest Gas **Rob MacLean**, Nexus Water **Kya Moller**, Entergy **Courtney Moore**, South West Gas **The Honorable Sadzi Oliva**, Aqua Indiana **Gina Orozco**, SoCal Gas **Elissa Ouyang**, California Water Service **Sharene Pierce**, Duke Energy **Nelson Reyneri**, NRG **Jerry Silva**, Right Associates **The Honorable Timothy Alan Simon**, TAS Strategies **Eva Tang**, American States Water **The Honorable Rebecca Cameron Valcq**, Alliant Energy **Alexander Washington, PhD**, Entergy **Marie Waugh**, ## Conference Sponsors ![NUDC Conference Sponsors 2025](https://conference.nudc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference/conf-2025-sponsors-2.jpg?width=1118&height=540&name=conf-2025-sponsors-2.jpg)   ### Have Questions? To confirm membership status or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email Laurie at [laurie.dowling@nudc.com](mailto:laurie.dowling@nudc.com)  ©2026 National Utilities Diversity Council. All rights reserved.