Convo: Karin Burns on CCAs Accelerating the Adoption of Clean and Renewable Energy
In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Karin Burns, Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Community Power (SDCP), the 2nd largest CCA (Community Choice Aggregator) in California.
She and Ted discuss her early life growing up in a small coastal New Jersey town, attending Duke University, and holding four additional degrees from esteemed universities. She also shares her experiences in travelling the world, beginning her professional career within the Finance and Capital industries, where she held several high-profile roles across Asia and the US, investing and fundraising in alternative energy, new media, and sustainability companies.
She served as Executive Director for Code REDD, an environmental company she built from a piece of paper into a globally recognized brand. She then became the Chief Executive Officer of Build It Green, where she oversaw a portfolio of energy efficiency programs across California, developed a low-income line of business, and fostered a culture of innovation and purpose-led growth. Karin later served as Regional Vice President for Franklin Energy Services LLC after executing an asset sale of Build It Green, guiding the cultural transition and integration of her company while managing five different Pacific states for Franklin Energy.
At SDCP, she is responsible for overseeing a $900+ million budget, a 30+ member staff, ensuring sufficient and reliable clean power procurement, as well as developing and executing the organization’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Board and staff. As an accomplished leader in the renewable energy sector, Karin is utilizing her diverse and broad experience to elevate SDCP to the apex of clean energy transitions, starting at the community level and expanding beyond. Karin is a dynamic innovator who seamlessly incorporates organizational efforts within humanity-focused strategy to affect change.