Melanie A. Kenderdine joined the Department of Energy as Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis and Energy Counselor to the Secretary in May 2013. Prior to serving in her current role at DOE, Ms. Kenderdine worked as the Executive Director and Associate Director of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI). During her six year tenure at MITEI, she managed a large staff, was a member of the research team for MIT’s Future of Natural Gas Study, was the rapporteur and editor for the MITEI Symposium Series, and helped to raise over $500 million from industry and private donors for energy research and education.

Before joining MITEI, Ms. Kenderdine served as the Vice President of Washington Operations for the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) from 2001 to 2007. At GTI, she was involved in major initiatives to increase domestic natural gas supply through research and development, enhanced energy efficiency through the use of full fuel cycle analysis, and advanced the security of critical energy infrastructures. From 1993 to 2001, Ms. Kenderdine served as a political appointee in President Bill Clinton’s administration; she served in several key posts at DOE, including Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary, Director of the Office of Policy, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining DOE during the Clinton Administration, Ms. Kenderdine was Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for New Mexico Congressman Bill Richardson, who later was named U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Ms. Kenderdine has served on a Council on Foreign Relations Task Force to develop a national energy strategy, on the Consumers Energy Council of America Working Group on Distributed Energy, has published articles in the World Energy Forum magazine, coauthored a chapter in “Energy Security in the 21st Century: A New Foreign Policy Strategy,” and is a frequent lecturer on energy issues. In July 2014, Ms. Kenderdine was named one of the top five women in Washington shaping energy policy by the National Journal.