Ensuring Equitable Electrification

Deedra Simmons began her career in the clean energy sector in 2013 at SolarCity, later moving to Tesla, where she ascended through progressively senior roles to ultimately serve as a Regional Sales Manager. During her tenure, she built a strong foundation in renewable energy sales, customer engagement, and market development, all crucial for promoting clean transportation.

She later transitioned into the electric vehicle charging space with EVgo, where she focused on site acquisition and commercial partnerships as a Portfolio Account Executive. In this role, Deedra collaborated with nationally recognized brands such as Target, Wawa, and JPMorgan Chase, further expanding her expertise in large-scale EV infrastructure deployment. Her efforts not only supported the business but also contributed to community empowerment through enhanced electric vehicle access.

Most recently, Deedra served as Director of Business Development at Citizen Energy, leading strategic growth initiatives for EV charging infrastructure in multifamily and community-serving locations. Her work encompassed partnership development, market strategy, and project origination, ultimately striving for equitable energy access and supporting the expansion of clean transportation solutions. Driven by a deep commitment to sustainability and energy equity, Deedra brings more than a decade of industry experience to her work. She firmly believes in the responsibility to act boldly in addressing climate challenges and lives by the motto, 'There is no Planet B.'

Arthur T. Summerville III is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in clean energy, medical technology, and business consulting. As Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder of Woundwise and WoundPic, he oversees medical distribution and consulting operations that support healthcare clients across the U.S., Colombia, the Middle East, and West Africa. Arthur also serves as Chief Revenue Officer at Iceberg Sustainable, where he has played a crucial role in securing $5 million in federal funding to advance waste-to-green energy solutions, further promoting clean transportation initiatives. His expertise extends to the hydrogen industry, where he has contributed to innovative projects driving sustainable energy adoption and ensuring equitable energy access for all communities. 

With a career that includes senior management roles at The Blackstone Group, Jani-King Franchises, and GSK, Arthur has a proven track record in scaling businesses and fostering innovation. He holds a B.S. in Computer Communication Technology with a minor in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University and an M.S. in Imaging Science Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology. As a valued board member of Electrify Equity, Arthur’s diverse expertise supports the organization’s mission to advance equitable electrification and empower underserved communities.

Jasmine Hicks is a community engagement strategist with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of clean energy, economic opportunity, and community empowerment. She has collaborated with nonprofits, public agencies, and community organizations to enhance equitable energy access for historically underserved communities. Additionally, she served as a Policy and Advocacy Fellow with Solar United Neighbors, where she supported policies that promote equitable energy access and distributed solar initiatives.

Currently, she is the Community Outreach Director for Electrify Equity, where she connects residents, workforce partners, and local organizations to resources for energy efficiency, clean transportation opportunities, and workforce pathways in the expanding clean energy economy.