MEDFORD, MA – September 8, 2025 – Efficiency Forward, Inc. announced a strategic strengthening of its leadership today with the appointment of two seasoned energy executives—Meg Lusardi and Karen Zelmar—to its Board of Directors. Lusardi and Zelmar bring decades of experience from the energy and utility sectors, setting the stage for the next phase of growth for the nonprofit that administers the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) and the Electric Vehicle Charging Accessibility Network (EVCAN).
Decades of Experience Driving Clean Energy
Efficiency Forward CEO Tina Halfpenny welcomed the new board members, highlighting their impressive backgrounds. “Both Karen and Meg come to Efficiency Forward with years of experience leading high impact energy initiatives that have been well aligned with our organization’s mission,” Halfpenny stated. She emphasized their strong track records in building partnerships across various areas of the energy industry, which have catalyzed success.
Lusardi’s extensive background spans both public policy and the nonprofit sector. A former Acting Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), she also served as Executive Vice President of PowerOptions. In that role, she oversaw operations for a nonprofit consortium that reduced the cost, carbon emissions, and complexity of energy for over 500 public entities. Lusardi also holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
“Energy efficiency and EVs are central to a decarbonized future,” Lusardi said. “I am excited to join the Board of Efficiency Forward and look forward to supporting the impactful work of the DesignLights Consortium and EVCAN as we help drive innovation.“
Leadership in EV Infrastructure and Federal Policy
Karen Zelmar’s experience is deeply rooted in advancing clean energy and EV infrastructure. She previously served as a program manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebate Programs, authorized by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Furthermore, as Director of Clean Energy Programs at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), she led customer incentive programs that deployed thousands of EV charging sites across northern California. Zelmar also has experience advancing emerging technologies from her time at Volta Charging, where she helped launch the company’s first DC fast-charging product.
Zelmar holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
“I’m honored to join the Efficiency Forward Board and work alongside such a dedicated team,” Zelmar said. “Efficiency Forward’s trusted resources and its work to foster collaboration across the industry are critical to the clean energy transition, and I look forward to helping build on their momentum.“
A Shared Vision for Strategic Growth
The appointments of Lusardi and Zelmar signal a strategic expansion for Efficiency Forward and its affiliated organizations, DLC and EVCAN. Their combined expertise in energy efficiency, policy, and electric vehicle infrastructure will be invaluable as the organization continues to grow its influence and impact within the rapidly evolving clean energy landscape.
