Hiroko Kawai is a seasoned senior executive with over 15 years of experience in sustainability technologies, specializing in energy storage solutions and transportation decarbonization. With a proven track record at organizations including the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Program Office, XL Fleet, Clarios/Johnson Controls, and Rocky Mountain Institute, Hiroko has consistently led innovative initiatives that optimize energy efficiency while reducing carbon footprints. Her expertise in developing strategic technology partnerships has generated over $100M in business value, including a significant collaboration with Toshiba and the launch of COVISINT, an e-commerce joint venture between major automotive manufacturers.

As a thought leader in clean energy transformation, Hiroko founded the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), bringing together government entities, universities, and industry stakeholders to promote fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions through innovative technologies. Her cross-cultural leadership skills and bilingual fluency in English and Japanese have enabled her to build and guide high-performance teams across disciplines and borders, delivering sustainable solutions for industry leaders worldwide. Hiroko holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BA in American Studies from Amherst College.