Maria Korsnick is president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the nuclear industry’s policy organization in Washington, D.C., a role she has held since January 1, 2017.

Drawing on her engineering background, hands-on experience in reactor operations and a deep knowledge of energy policy and regulatory issues, Korsnick aims to increase understanding of nuclear energy’s economic and environmental benefits among policymakers and the public.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States has appointed her to its Advisory Committee and its Council on China Competition; and the U.S. Department of Energy has appointed her to its Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee. She also serves as a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Energy Association; National Energy Foundation; Center for Energy Workforce Development; and the Foundation for Nuclear Studies. She also serves as a trustee of the Nuclear Power Labor Management Cooperation Committee Trust, vice chair of the University of Maryland Department of Mechanical Engineering External Advisory Committee, and a member of the Purdue University School of Nuclear Engineering Advisory Board.

Before joining NEI, she was senior vice president of Northeast Operations for Exelon, responsible for overseeing operation of the Calvert Cliffs 1 and 2, R.E. Ginna, and Nine Mile Point 1 and 2 nuclear power plants.

Before Exelon, Korsnick served as chief nuclear officer (CNO) and acting chief executive officer at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group. She began her career at Constellation in 1986 and held positions of increasing responsibility, including engineer, operator, manager, site vice president, corporate vice president, and CNO.

Korsnick holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland, and has held a Senior Reactor Operator license. She lives in Maryland with her husband, and they are the parents of two adult children.

Sarah Blanford is a seasoned international development leader with over 25 years of expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic direction. As Program Director at the U.S. Energy Association (USEA), she leads high-impact, multimillion-dollar energy initiatives that advance economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability in emerging markets, particularly in South Asia, as well as parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Sarah is known for her excellence in program design, donor engagement, and collaborative leadership across public and private energy sectors.

At USEA, she has guided complex portfolios focused on regional energy cooperation, utility reform, renewable integration, and inclusive energy policies. Her work has included launching new regional platforms, building global partnerships, and delivering technical assistance and training to energy professionals across more than 25 countries.

Sarah holds a Master of Public Administration and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Wooster. She is a committed mentor and active member of the energy and environmental community, including New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE) and Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE).

Rhonda I. Zygocki is executive vice president of policy and planning for Chevron Corporation, a position she has held since 2011. She is responsible for Strategic Planning; Policy, Government and Public Affairs; and Health, Environment and Safety.

Previously Zygocki served as vice president of Policy, Government and Public Affairs from 2007 to 2011 and was responsible for global government relations, all aspects of commu-nications, corporate social investment and public policy, and the company’s worldwide efforts to protect and enhance its reputation.

From 2003 to 2007, Zygocki was corporate vice president of Health, Environment and Safety (HES) and was responsible for HES policy and issues management, compliance and auditing, emergency response, and Chevron’s Environmental Management Company. She played a key role in the design and implementation of the company’s Operational Excellence Management System. Previous positions include: October 2001, managing director, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd.; 2000, adviser to the chairman of the board and subsequently responsible for oversight of the Chevron-Texaco merger integration planning office through mid-2001; 1999, manager, Strategic Planning; 1997, chief financial officer, Chevron Canada Resources; 1994, profit center manager, Chevron U.S.A. Production Company; 1993, general manager, strategic business services, Chevron Canada Resources.

Zygocki serves on the boards of directors of the United States Energy Association and GBCHealth; the board of trustees of the San Francisco Ballet; and the advisory board of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Canada Institute.

Zygocki was born in St, John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, in 1957. She began her career as a petroleum engineer with Chevron Canada Resources in Calgary after graduating in 1980 from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.