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​Meet the Team

Ryan Jones

Co-Founder

Ryan specializes in electricity operations, renewable energy integration, and deep decarbonization pathways. By creating analytical tools to address long-term challenges, Ryan has developed a unique conceptual understanding of decarbonization opportunities. He has worked extensively with system operators, renewable developers, and energy technology companies. Ryan holds an MA in Atmosphere/Energy from Stanford.

Gabe Kwok

Principal

Gabe specializes in energy planning, wholesale electricity markets, and economic analysis. He works with clients across sectors—including regulators, utilities, and NGOs—to support policy, planning, and investment decisions. Gabe combines quantitative modeling with a deep understanding of energy systems to provide holistic insights and help clients navigate complex challenges. Gabe holds an MEM in Energy and Management from Duke.

Jamil Farbes

Principal

Jamil has a breadth of experience in energy system planning, strategic portfolio development, and market design. He has worked on numerous projects to support decision-making through deep analysis of energy systems. Jamil’s experience and analytical toolkit, uniquely position him to help clients navigate the many institutional and policy barriers on the path to deep decarbonization. Jamil holds an MS in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley.

Katie Pickrell

Principal

Katie integrates economic analysis with strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, helping leaders incorporate analytics into planning cycles and advocacy efforts. She has experience in investment planning, regulatory proceedings, and corporate development. Previously, she led corporate development at PG&E and consulted on energy economics at E3. Katie holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Amy Wagner

Senior Partner

Amy has over 20 years of experience in utility strategy and clean energy technology across industry and government. Previously a Senior Expert at McKinsey & Company, she led renewable energy and sustainability projects, guiding utilities, investors, and tech firms in strategy pivots and new business development. Amy also led Emerging Technology Strategy at E3 and holds MS degrees in Earth Systems and Energy Policy from Stanford.

Benjamin Preneta

Senior Analyst

Ben specializes in renewable energy siting, the co-location of clean fuel production, and geographic optimization. He is an expert at incorporating spatial analysis into energy modeling and brings strong stakeholder management skills. Ben previously worked at Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy and the United Nations, and he served as an Armor Officer in the US Army. He holds an MA in Climate and Society from Columbia University.

Lindsey Walter

Principal

Lindsey is an expert in designing research questions and leveraging energy systems analysis to inform clean energy policy. Previously, she directed NGOs in the US and Europe, advising governments on decarbonization and technology deployment strategies. Lindsey has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University, and was a Fulbright Research Scholar at the Heidelberg Center for the Environment.

Ben Haley

Co-Founder

Ben has extensive experience developing energy system models to support decision-making for energy transitions. His models have guided governments, utilities, and NGOs in emissions target-setting and long-term planning. With a passion for solving complex energy challenges, Ben has led technical development on several platforms, driving effective transformation strategies. He holds an MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute.

Jeremy Hargreaves

Principal

Jeremy is an expert in energy systems analysis, focusing on electricity system planning and distributed energy resources. He works internationally with utilities and investors to plan for high renewable integration with minimal customer impact. He holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering, an MSE in Environmental Management and Economics, both from Johns Hopkins, and an MEng in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London.

Darcie Bentz

Director of Operations

Darcie has a background in client relations, project management, and public health emergency response. She ensures day-to-day team performance and efficient project delivery. Before joining Evolved, Darcie worked on various environmental and public health initiatives. She holds an MA in Public Health from the University of Arizona and a BA in marketing from Penn State.

Jonathan Kadish

Principal

Jonathan is an expert in energy and environmental impact analysis, using causal inference and machine learning to understand the energy sector's interactions with the broader economy. He has worked with regulators, developers, and utilities on renewable targets, rate-setting, and investment strategies. Jonathan has experience as a data scientist at Instagram and holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Economics from UC Berkeley.

Jim Williams

Senior Fellow

Jim is a professor of Energy Systems Management at the University of San Francisco and a Senior Fellow at Evolved. He is a leading expert on energy transitions and decarbonization modeling. Jim was the lead author of a report on carbon-neutral pathways published in AGU Advances and has worked on various aspects of energy technology, planning, and regulation, providing insights to government and industry clients.

Trevor Kann

Director of Education

Trevor applies his expertise in language and pedagogy to lead education and written communications at Evolved. An educator for over 20 years, Trevor served as lecturer at UCLA and English Language Fellow for the US Department of State at the University of São Paulo, teaching linguistics, organizing conferences, and creating training programs. Trevor remains a visiting scholar at USP and holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from UCLA.

Our consultants are a talented group of energy experts, engineers, analysts, and strategists, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by a range of industry backgrounds.

For eight years at Evolved, we’ve operated as a fully remote energy company, building a unique culture grounded in rigorous analysis and strengthened by the strong relationships we share with one another.

This approach has enabled us to work with efficiency and precision, allowing us to consistently produce some of the highest-quality energy modeling in the field.

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Now, with the opening of our in-person office in San Diego, we’re thrilled to bring our team even closer together and expand the ways we collaborate.

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