Sunnyvale green energy nonprofit names new CEO
Monica Padilla will take over in April.
Monica Padilla has been named the next chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). Padilla has worked at SVCE for five years leading power policy, planning, procurement, regulatory, operations and compliance as the chief operating officer and director of power resources.
Padilla’s selection by the SVCE Board of Directors follows the announcement of current CEO Girish Balachandran that he plans to retire on March 31, 2024. Padilla’s appointment will start her new role with the Sunnyvale-based green energy aggregator on April 1, 2024.
“I am excited to expand my role and help lead SVCE’s efforts to decarbonize our communities,” said Padilla in a statement.
“Monica encompasses two characteristics that are critical for successful leadership: genuine caring for people and bottom line value,” said Balachandran. “She is constantly asking, ‘How does this make sense for customers?,’ and that shows through in every decision she makes.”
In her current role as COO, Padilla has led the negotiation and execution of over 20 power purchase agreements for clean, renewable energy and storage projects representing over $3.6 billion in long-term contracts. With these projects, SVCE is on track to achieve a 75% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2030, surpassing the state requirement of 60% RPS by 2030.
“Monica is the right choice for our next CEO,” said SVCE Board Chair George Tyson, a Los Altos Hills councilmember. “As COO, she has shown in-depth knowledge of procurement and a deft hand in managing people and relationship building within the whole industry.”
As CEO, Padilla will serve on the boards of several statewide organizations, including the California Community Choice Association, California Community Power and the California Community Choice Financing Authority.
Prior to SVCE, Padilla worked at the City of Palo Alto Utilities for 30 years.