Our Leadership

ILLUME’s Executive Team and Advisory Board are committed to advancing impactful policies and solutions that foster technical innovation, accessibility, and resilience in our energy systems.

Our Founders

Anne Dougherty, Founder and Co-Owner

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Anne Dougherty sets the vision for ILLUME’s market and services strategy, brand, and business development pursuits, establishing the company as a trusted leader in the energy sector. Long regarded for her ability to identify the zeitgeist, craft long-term strategies, and speak across expert and business environments, Anne consistently drives ILLUME’s mission to build industry-changing approaches and human-centered energy solutions across multiple utility verticals and investments. Her leadership goes beyond these areas; Anne drives ILLUME to create dynamic spaces for creative problem-solving by building empowering, value-added engagements for our clients and partners. Anne is deeply committed to human-focused innovation across services and technologies, ensuring that ILLUME’s work and client engagements address the most pressing needs of our industry while balancing utility business, customer, community needs with ambitious regulatory goals.

Anne serves as a Presidential Advisor to the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, as a Director on the Executive Committee for the Arizona Technology Council, a Director for Groundswell Capital, Arizona’s Green Bank, and as the Board Chair of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund of Southern Arizona

Sara Conzemius, Founder and Co-Owner

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Sara Conzemius drives the strategy for ILLUME’s financial, legal, and operational efforts with a focus on fostering excellence and innovation. Renowned for her award-winning tactical strategy development, Sara has set the industry standard for organizational governance and operational efficiency. Beyond her leadership within ILLUME, Sara plays a pivotal role in shaping the broader energy industry through her active board service and strategic advising. She is a master connector, building relationships that advance collaboration across organizations and sectors. Sara’s expertise in energy program design, policy, and evaluation has positioned ILLUME as a leader in driving market transformation, while her mentorship and organizational development initiatives ensure a lasting legacy of excellence in the energy field. Through her visionary leadership, Sara continues to elevate both ILLUME and the energy industry as a whole.

Sara serves as a Director on the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Executive Committee as Secretary, and served as a member and then Chairperson of the Board for the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP), Chairperson of the Energy Efficiency Working Group for the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate, and Advisor on the development of the State of Wisconsin’s Climate Action Plan’s Equity First Directive, supporting the development of the State of Wisconsin’s first Green Bank on the Green Ribbon Commission.

Together, Anne and Sara developed a groundbreaking organization through an intentional and well-executed strategy that they jointly define and execute with ILLUME’s company leadership.

Our Executive Team

Laura Schauer, Executive Vice President, Operations

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Laura Schauer drives ILLUME’s company-wide operations and ensures the seamless delivery of strategies across diverse portfolios and projects. With over 25 years of experience leading complex research and evaluation initiatives, Laura exemplifies operational excellence, fostering a culture of precision, creativity, and client-centric focus. Her leadership ensures that ILLUME consistently delivers best-in-class solutions while refining internal policies and processes to exceed industry standards. Laura’s expertise in managing multi-million-dollar studies and her commitment to high-impact results have positioned ILLUME as a trusted partner in advancing innovative and effective energy solutions.

Laura has served two terms on the Association for Energy Service Professionals (AESP) Board of Directors, including Secretary of the AESP Executive Committee.

Jes Rivas, Executive Vice President, Revenue

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Jes Rivas spearheads ILLUME’s revenue growth by identifying and developing emerging areas of expertise to position the company for sustained success and to apply ILLUME’s unique lens to fields of practice that demand innovation. As a seasoned expert in building systems, electrification, and grid-edge technologies, Jes plays a critical role in ensuring that ILLUME remains at the forefront of innovation in the energy sector. Her deep technical knowledge and market insight enable the company to deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to the evolving needs of clients and the energy industry. Jes’s leadership drives ILLUME’s expansion into new markets and solidifies its reputation as a forward-thinking, industry-leading firm.

Jes serves as a Voting Member of the Pacific Northwest Power Council’s Regional Technical Forum, on the Planning Committee for the International Energy Program Evaluation Conference (IEPEC), and as Board Secretary for United States Roller Derby.

Eileen Hannigan, Vice President, Talent

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Eileen Hannigan leads ILLUME’s comprehensive talent development strategy, shaping the future of the organization and the energy industry. With a focus on building and nurturing top-tier talent, Eileen oversees the company’s training curriculum, mentorship programs, and leadership development initiatives. Her ability to cultivate expertise across qualitative, quantitative, and project delivery disciplines ensures that ILLUME remains a center of excellence for professional growth and innovation. Through her visionary leadership, Eileen empowers employees at all levels, driving ILLUME’s mission to deliver high-quality, impactful energy solutions while fostering a culture of continuous learning and leadership development.

Eileen is a past-president and current member of the board of directors of Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Wisconsin.

Don Smith, Vice President, Finance and IT

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Don Smith leads ILLUME’s financial operations and IT strategies with a focus on driving organizational efficiency and operational excellence. With over 20 years of finance and operations management experience, Don transforms complex data into actionable insights that guide strategic decision-making and enhance ILLUME’s business performance. His collaborative leadership style and ability to integrate technology and financial expertise ensure the company’s infrastructure is robust and adaptive.

By fostering strong partnerships within ILLUME and leveraging innovative IT solutions, Don supports the company’s mission to deliver exceptional client value while maintaining a solid foundation for future growth.

Latisha Younger-Canon, Principal

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Latisha Younger-Canon is a Principal, driving best-in-class project delivery across key practice areas at ILLUME. Latisha Younger-Canon works at the forefront of customer experience (CX) across nearly all aspects of the energy industry. She is deeply invested in understanding what makes customers and clients tick, how to draw out feedback, find actionable solutions, and solve real-world problems.

Latisha’s experience in energy covers both regulatory and non-regulatory utility operations. She is an expert in demand-side management (DSM) programs having worked extensively in program evaluation, design, and implementation for more than 30 utility clients. She is well-versed in leading projects tied to customer programs and initiatives, overseeing delivery operations for large-scale utility projects, and managing large and diverse teams.

Our Advisory Board

ILLUME’s Advisory Board is exceptionally positioned to support Founders Anne and Sara in steering the organization’s strategic direction through their diverse expertise and proven leadership in the energy sector.

With Paul Schueller’s innovation in energy efficiency, Shelley Fiddler’s deep understanding of legislative and federal policy, Val Jensen’s executive experience in utility strategy, and Patricia Stanton’s expertise in state energy offices and advocacy for sustainable energy solutions, our board offers a comprehensive approach to tackling complex energy challenges. We are proud to have this group of advisors to help ILLUME advance our mission.

Paul Schueller, Franklin Energy

Paul Schueller, founder of Franklin Energy, brings over 30 years of expertise in energy efficiency and grid optimization to his role as an advisory board member at ILLUME Advising. His leadership has driven impactful solutions for utilities across North America, transforming Franklin Energy into a leader since its inception in 1994, with innovations like the NGAGE™ platform.

Shelley Fiddler, Van Ness Feldman

Shelley Fiddler, Senior Policy Advisor at Van Ness Feldman, brings nearly 40 years of expertise in legislative policy and energy advocacy to support ILLUME Advising’s strategic direction. With extensive Washington experience, she offers solutions to complex public policy and regulatory challenges, having served six years in the Clinton White House and 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, concluding as Staff Director at the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

Val Jensen, Retired from Exelon Utilities

Val Jensen, former Senior Vice President at Exelon, contributes decades of executive experience in utility strategy, customer engagement, and energy policy to ILLUME Advising’s Advisory Board. With over 40 years in the energy industry, he led technology and business strategy development at Exelon Utilities, supporting policy and coordinating strategy for Exelon’s operating utilities.

Patricia Stanton, E4TheFuture

Patricia Stanton, Executive Director at E4TheFuture, brings a wealth of experience from government, private sectors, and nonprofits to lead the organization in building its legacy. As a nationally recognized expert in regulatory policy analysis and advocacy, she tirelessly works to improve public policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and demand resources.

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Areas of Expertise

– Affordability, Access, & Resilience

– Emerging Opportunities

– Evaluation & Success Planning

– Human Insights

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Our Services

– Policy Support

– Customer Engagement & Education

– Program & Solution Design

– Evaluation Consulting