NextEnergy is excited to announce that Kristin Shaw has joined our team as Program Manager, Smart Cities and Communities. Kristin focuses on advancing sustainable urban innovation, climate-forward mobility, and equitable infrastructure solutions. She also manages initiatives focused on electrification and advanced air mobility.
NextEnergy works with innovators to accelerate smarter, cleaner, and more accessible solutions for communities and cities. What inspired you to be a part of this work?
My career has always been driven by a passion for climate innovation and community transformation. At the City of Detroit, I led transportation decarbonization efforts and worked closely with local stakeholders to advance equitable mobility solutions. Joining NextEnergy was a natural next step—it’s where visionary ideas meet real-world impact. I was especially drawn to the organization’s commitment to accelerating smarter, cleaner, and more accessible technologies, including the emerging field of air mobility, which has the potential to revolutionize how we connect cities and people.
What are you most looking forward to in your role at NextEnergy?
In my role as Program Manager for Smart Cities, I’m looking forward to working with partners across public and private sectors to advance clean energy and mobility solutions. I’m particularly focused on expanding EV charging infrastructure, including implementation strategies supported by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant program. These efforts are essential to enabling widespread electrification and ensuring access across the nation. I’m also excited to be engaged in exploring urban air mobility as part of the broader transportation ecosystem. Technologies like electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft offer new opportunities to improve connectivity and reduce emissions. I’m excited to help shape how these innovations are integrated into smart city planning in a way that supports access, safety, and long-term sustainability.
What are the three most interesting developments that you see happening in the energy space these days?
Some of the most exciting developments in energy today are creating new possibilities for how we design and move through cities. Advances in local energy systems, modern and expanded transit, and electrification are making it easier to build communities that can prioritize modes beyond the personal vehicle. The growth of EV charging networks and the emergence of electric aircraft are expanding mobility options and reshaping regional connectivity. These changes are also driving economic growth, improving infrastructure performance, and opening new markets across transportation, buildings, and public services. It’s an exciting time to work in mobility, and I am proud to be doing this work in Michigan.