Sponsored by: Fairfax City, VA; LookingGlassCyber; Scientific Logic ZOLAIKHA STRONG Director of Energy Policy and Electrical Markets for the Copper Development Association (CDA) Zolaikha Strong serves as the energy expert on sustainable energy markets for the copper industry. She supports policy makers in the development of energy policies and regulations, collaborates with manufacturers on the development of new technologies, promotes the value of copper related solutions in energy efficient systems, and builds partnerships with sustainable energy advocates. Among her many activities, Strong recently hosted an electric vehicle summit in Washington, D.C. entitled, “EVs: Navigating the Road Ahead, an industry event powered by CDA.” The event gathered industry stakeholders for two robust panels featuring key leaders discussing the technology and policy advancements needed to accelerate the EV market. Among her many speaking engagements and presentations, Strong has presented at the American Solar Energy Society’s Solar Conference, the TechConnect World Innovation Conference, the Alliance to Save Energy’s Energy 2030: On the Road events, the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) – Policy Forum and the GLOBALCON Conference. Strong has also commissioned industry studies on electric vehicles, energy storage, solar energy and wind energy. Strong served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC) and as co-chair of the Outreach and Education Sub-Committee. She is also a member of the Edison Foundation Institute for Electric Innovation Technology Roundtable, and an active participant and contributor to policy initiatives for the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Wind Energy Association, Energy Storage Association, American Copper Policy Council and the High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition. A regular contributor to many energy and policy publications, Strong has been recently published in The Hill, The Washington Times, ElectroIndustry Magazine, Renewable Energy World, Metal Center News, Wind Systems Magazine, IAEI Magazine and Energy & Mining International as well as Wind Power Engineering and Development’s Wind Talks podcast. Prior to her work at the Copper Development Association, Strong was the Manager of Federal Regulatory Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, D.C. During her time at Edison Electric Institute, Strong developed, analyzed, and advocated the Institute’s positions for federal and state energy regulation and legislation. She also has served as an Energy Analyst with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where she developed and implemented regulatory policy to foster nationwide competitive energy markets. Zolaikha was the International Policy Fellow and directly reported to President Clinton during his post Presidential transition while he was establishing the Clinton Foundation. Zolaikha was also an intern at the White House during the Clinton Administration. Zolaikha holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seton Hall University