BMW i Ventures Presents: The Electrified Road Ahead
Dive into the transformative world of electric vehicles (EVs) with BMW i Ventures. Please join us for a panel discussion consisting of industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities reshaping the electric vehicle ecosystem. Delve into key topics such as evolving EV battery technologies, the future of charging infrastructure, policy influences, and shifting consumer attitudes. Networking reception to follow the panel discussion.
Topics to Be Covered
The evolving EV battery technologies and the pursuit of extended range.
Overcoming infrastructure challenges and imagining the future of charging solutions.
The role of policy, government incentives, and the global push towards sustainable transport.
Consumer attitudes, adoption rates, and the path to making EVs the norm rather than the exception.
Agenda
5:30: Networking and Drinks
6:00: Opening Words by Kasper Sage, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures
6:05: Panel discussion moderated by Canary Media's Jeff St. John and including:
Kameale Terry, CEO of ChargerHelp
Saad Dara, CEO of Mangrove Lithium
Zack Martin, CEO at Loop Global
6:45: Networking Reception
About the Panel Participants
Jeff St. John, Canary Media
Jeff St. John is director of news and special projects at Canary Media, where he covers technology, economic, regulatory and social justice issues pertaining to the global transition to low-carbon energy, with a particular focus on the electricity, transportation and building sectors.
He is the former managing editor and senior grid edge editor of Greentech Media, and previously reported for The Fresno Bee, the Tri-City Herald and the Anchorage Daily News. He lives in Oakland, Calif. with his wife Tara Donoghue and his dog Lily, and enjoys hiking, gardening, and playing guitar with his nieces and nephews.
His areas of expertise include renewable energy, smart grid, distributed energy resources, energy storage, demand response and electric vehicles. He earned his master’s degree from the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism in 2001.
Kameale C. Terry, CEO of ChargerHelp
Kameale is the Co-Founder and CEO of ChargerHelp, Inc., an app that enables on-demand repair of electric vehicle charging stations. As the former Director of Programs at EV Connect, an electric vehicle charge station network provider, Kameale structured and led teams to execute electric vehicle infrastructure projects and programs in the United States, Australia, and Canada for commercial and government entities. Her most notable projects include the Electrify America - Phase One Program, the Southern California Edison Charge Ready Pilot, and the New York Power Authority portfolio.
Prior to this role, Kameale created, hired, and oversaw the Customer Experience Department at EV Connect by partnering with the Southbay Workforce Investment Board to employ candidates from the local community. As a South Central Los Angeles native, Kameale believes that an equitable green economy can be achieved through impactful workforce development and realignment.
Saad Dara, CEO of Mangrove Lithium
Saad Dara is co-founder and CEO of Mangrove Lithium, a developer of a lithium refining technology that offers a feedstock-flexible, modular platform to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. Saad holds a PhD (2020) in Chemical and Biological Engineering from The University of British Columbia (UBC). He has led Mangrove’s fundraising rounds, and technical and business development, while commercializing Mangrove’s technology with various large corporates. Saad’s vision for Mangrove is to disrupt the current landscape of the battery value chain by providing North America and Europe the opportunity to refine lithium locally and sustainably; allowing for domestic energy security during the global transition to renewable energy.
Zack Martin, CEO of Loop Global
Zack Martin is the CEO of Loop Global Inc., a best-in-class EV charging station hardware and network software provider. In 2020, Zack made a bold move by leaving EY to become the CFO for Loop with the mission to revolutionize the electric vehicle charging station industry. Despite the risks involved in joining a one-year-old startup, Zack's passion for sustainability and belief in Loop's mission, products, and services propelled him forward. Since joining the team, he has played a crucial role in transforming Loop from a regional industry player to a thriving international industry leader.
Zack’s focused drive and financial acumen have been instrumental in guiding Loop towards sustainable growth in just a few short years. Loop is revolutionizing EV charging networks through an innovative turnkey hardware, software, and operating solution. Loop's global reach has expanded with over 15,000 charging stations sold to-date, 100+ network partner resellers across North America and Europe, supported by $80MM in Series A equity and debt capital.