Managing Director of Public Policy
Duke Energy
Sarah Adair, MEM ’11, is Managing Director of Public Policy at Duke Energy, one of the United States’ largest energy holding companies. In her current role, Sarah has responsibility for the company’s national policy engagement in support of its ambitious energy modernization strategy, building a smarter energy future while keeping reliability and affordability at the forefront. In prior roles at Duke Energy, she led national policy related to clean energy technology and electrification as well as state environmental affairs and stakeholder engagement in North Carolina. Sarah joined Duke Energy in 2017 from Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, where she led research and engagement related to energy and climate and policy.
Sarah serves on the board of advisors of the Zero Emission Transportation Association and as Clean Technology Co-Chair for the Edison Electric Institute’s Environment Executive Advisory Committee. She has previously served on the board of the Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance, as a member of the Keystone Energy Board and as a 2022 Marshall Memorial Fellow. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.