WASHINGTON, DC (July 8, 2021) — World Resources Institute is pleased to welcome Sue Gander as the Director of the Electric School Bus Initiative, which is working to help fully electrify the nation’s fleet of 480,000 school buses over the next decade. 

Through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across the country, the project, supported by the Bezos Earth Fund, aims to make more equitable, healthier electric mobility the new normal for the next generation.

“Sue brings a wealth of experience to a key initiative at a key moment,” said Dan Lashof, WRI United States Director. “She knows how to work with a diverse array of partners to accelerate the shift to healthier rides for millions of kids and help seize the opportunity to lead the transition to a clean energy economy.”

Gander, who has extensive experience in energy, environment and infrastructure issues, leads a cross-organizational team in advancing the goals of electrification with a focus on equity and inclusion. 

“Electrifying the nation’s school bus fleet is an incredible opportunity to ensure our kids have a safe, clean and healthy ride to school and to help boost jobs in the U.S.,” said Gander. “I am thrilled to be part of the WRI team that has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and has made a commitment to an equity-centered approach. Working in partnership with school districts, contractors, manufacturers, utilities, environmental and equity groups, and policy makers at the local, state and federal levels, we are looking forward to transforming the future of school transportation.”

Prior to joining WRI, Gander was the Managing Director of Policy for the Electrification Coalition, where she worked to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles at scale. That included advancing federal and state proposals to support school bus electrification through policy, financing and vehicle-to-grid solutions, and building partnerships with a broad array of stakeholders from the public and private sectors and civil society.

Previously, Gander worked for more than a decade directing the Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Division at the National Governors Association, spearheading policy support for the transformation of the transportation and energy sectors. Gander also served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and at the Center for Clean Air Policy where she led initiatives on clean energy, air quality and climate change.

Gander has a Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin, with a Certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy, and a Bachelor’s in Public Policy, cum laude, from Brown University. She is the founder and chair of the Women of Electric Vehicles DC Chapter and former member of the Forth Mobility Board and the Keystone Policy Center Energy Board.

She will be leading a new team that recently added four new senior staff with deep knowledge and experience in the transportation electrification and policy realms to help catalyze market transformation: Justin Balik, Senior Manager, State Policy for Transportation Electrification; Brittany Barrett, Senior Manager, School District E-Mobility Technical Assistance; Greggory Kresge, Senior Manager, Utility Engagement and Transportation Electrification; and Stephanie Ly, Senior Manager, Fleet Electrification and Charging.  

Balik will lead state-level engagement and strategy for the initiative. He has an extensive background in sustainable transportation policy and advocacy, as well as urban affairs and state and local government. Prior to joining WRI, Justin was Deputy Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and was previously Director of State and Federal Affairs for the New York City Department of Transportation. 

Barrett will manage engagement and technical assistance with school districts and bus contractors. She joins WRI with over 17 years of bus and transit experience, having worked for an international mobility operator, Transdev, and held positions in public relations and business development, and served as general manager for a large public transportation system.

Kresge will oversee outreach, education and partnership development with the utility sector. He previously served as the Manager of Electrification of Transportation and of Transportation Project Delivery for Hawaiian Electric and in senior roles at Maui Electric Company and with the County of Maui and the Parsons Corporation.

Ly will direct engagement with U.S. school bus manufacturers and major industry stakeholders, while also managing other global e-mobility projects. She most recently worked at Meritor, a major automotive supplier managing early commercial electric vehicle deployments with manufacturers, Fortune 500 fleets, government agencies, ports and air districts. 

For more information on WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative, visit: www.wri.org/initiatives/electric-school-bus-initiative 

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About World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,000 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org.