Recent years have demonstrated dynamic change and innovation across all industries, and the energy sector has been no exception. The 2025 Duke University Energy Conference will bring together leaders and industry experts to explore, discuss, and debate how the evolution of the energy sector will shape key aspects of society including transportation, finance, and technology.

The Energy Conference draws over 400 attendees each year and features keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, a company expo, and interactive sessions. This year’s theme will cover hot topics across the energy sector to explore opportunities to collaboratively address barriers to progress and inspire cross-disciplinary action to advance the energy transition..

2025 Keynote Speakers

Bobby Hollis

Vice President of Energy, Microsoft

Bobby Hollis joined Microsoft in 2023 as VP of Energy responsible for leading Microsoft’s energy sourcing and carbon removal strategy globally as its AI infrastructure deployment accelerated. In this role, Bobby and his team works with utilities, suppliers, policy makers and industry leaders to procure energy and renewables to power Microsoft’s global data centers and AI infrastructure, achieve Microsoft’s renewable energy and carbon negative commitments and support the advancement of carbon-free electricity grid infrastructure.

Before his energy work in the technology sector, Bobby led renewable energy for Nevada’s largest utility, NV Energy, a Berkshire Hathaway utility, adopting customer-oriented approaches that radically changed renewables within the utility sector. His tenure included innovative customer projects with Apple and Nellis Air Force Base, as well as a state-wide SmartGrid deployment and major policy changes to retire all coal facilities and replace them with renewable generation. Early in his career, Bobby practiced corporate and regulatory law at Jenner & Block and Baker & Mackenzie, in Washington, DC, and Chicago, as well as leading legal support for Invenergy LLC, one of the largest renewable energy developers in the US.

Bobby holds a J.D. in Law from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida.

Rebecca J. Kujawa

Former President and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources

Rebecca J. Kujawa is a nationally recognized energy leader with deep experience across the full spectrum of the U.S. power sector. Over the past two decades, she has helped shape some of the industry’s most important inflection points—leading transformational growth, advancing clean energy technologies, and building high-performing teams at scale. She is known for her strategic clarity, financial discipline, and ability to execute multibillion-dollar investment programs in complex, capital-intensive environments.

Most recently, Rebecca served as President and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, the largest competitive energy provider in the U.S. and the world’s leader in renewables. She led a 7,400-person organization and oversaw $15–$20 billion in annual infrastructure investment. Under her leadership, the company expanded and diversified its development pipeline, deployed transformative digital technologies, and set new benchmarks for scale, speed, and operational excellence.

Previously, she was Chief Financial Officer of NextEra Energy, Inc. [NYSE: NEE], a $140 billion market capitalization energy company and one of the largest capital investors in the U.S. She led the financing of nearly $50 billion in growth initiatives and oversaw enterprise-wide IT and cybersecurity, including operational technology risk management.

A respected industry voice, Rebecca brings comprehensive experience across the energy ecosystem—from renewables development to nuclear operations to transmission systems—positioning her uniquely to address the complex interdependencies shaping the industry’s future. She is a sought-after speaker at major global energy forums, including COP28, CERAWeek, and the World Hydrogen Summit, and her insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Reuters. She has extensive governance experience, including serving as Chairperson of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), the mutual insurance provider for the global nuclear industry, and as a Director of XPLR Infrastructure [NYSE: XIFR].

Rebecca is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in public policy studies from Duke University.

Programming and Panel Discussions

The Future of Transportation: Moving the Masses 

Much of the public conversation around transportation electrification has focused on personal passenger EVs, yet the majority of fuel use and carbon emissions comes from moving people and goods at scale. From long-haul trucking and maritime shipping to the rise of aviation for both passengers and cargo, the innovation, decarbonization, and electrification of these hard-to-abate sectors is critical to global progress. This panel will explore how different players are tackling these challenges and how collaboration across industries can drive change. 

Powering the Future: Building Grid Resiliency in North Carolina

From escalating climate threats to surging energy demand and evolving security risks, the challenges facing North Carolina’s power infrastructure are both complex and urgent. This session brings together leading voices from industry, academia, and policy to discuss challenges and explore solutions such as the deployment of microgrids to cover critical services, the modernization of aging transmission lines, and the integration of distributed energy resources. Panelists will discuss how investments, research, and policy following Hurricane Helene are already working to shape a more resilient grid.

Friendly Debate: The AI Future

The role of AI in our society and economy is ascendent; across industries, there is seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm for new applications of this powerful tool. At the same, governments and corporations are struggling to meet the real and expected power demands for data processing. In the sustainability space, many are questioning the fundamental value proposition of the role that AI will play in our society given the intensive environmental costs. This friendly debate will feature a thoughtful dialogue between an industry practitioner, an academic, and a leading energy journalist to explore questions around AI applications for sustainability, utility and grid infrastructure development to meet demand, and the ethics of energy use in the continued evolution of technology. 

Investing in the Future of Energy

In an era marked by uncertainty, this session will examine how partnerships across the energy ecosystem are enabling necessary capital deployment and building lasting confidence in energy infrastructure investment. Stakeholders from venture capital firms, public agencies, corporate strategics, and government agencies will discuss how companies are taking a pragmatic approach to meet emerging demand amidst a landscape of evolving incentives and priorities.

Food and Drinks

West End Wine Bar | $$ Wine Bar
Ponysaurus Brewing | $$ Brewery
Motorco | $$ Live Music and Bar
Velvet Hippo| $$ Rooftop Bar