NYPA Expands Executive Leadership Team to Help Meet New York’s Energy Goals

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
September 15, 2023

The New York Power Authority is expanding its executive leadership team to deliver on its clean energy mission, including new goals defined in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget, which outlines new legislation providing NYPA with expanded authority to develop, own, and operate renewable energy generating projects, NYPA said on Sept. 15.

The Power Authority “will be a key driver in assisting New York State in meeting its bold clean energy targets, including producing 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and creating a zero-emission statewide electrical system by 2040,” it said.

Daniella Piper, an internal leader and expert in power systems and digital technology, has been promoted to Chief Innovation Officer and Alexis Harley has been hired as Chief Risk and Resilience Officer.

“In their new roles, Daniella Piper and Alexis Harley will bring experience and new insights to our executive team and our organization as we fulfill our clean energy promise to the people of New York State,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “The new expanded authority legislation will allow us to further demonstrate the ingenuity and innovation that is part of the Power Authority’s DNA. I am excited to have Daniella and Alexis join my exceptional leadership team as we forge a clean energy path for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

In Piper’s role as Chief Innovation Officer, she will coordinate the Power Authority’s strategic business goals, technology innovation, digitization, research and development efforts so that new technologies are developed, tested, socialized and implemented in support of the state’s clean energy targets.

Piper also will oversee a new Enterprise Innovation team that will serve as the incubator for new programs and ideas, “allowing NYPA to develop and deploy game-changing technologies and digital solutions that advance its efforts to create a thriving, resilient New York State powered by clean energy,” NYPA said.

Piper has more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry with a long history of success at the Power Authority, most recently serving as Western New York Regional Manager and Chief Transformation Officer.

She has been integral to some of the Power Authority’s key efforts, such as the successful construction of the Marcy South Series Compensation Project, NYPA’s 10-Point Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, and NYPA’s first Digital Transformation Office.

“Through her varied roles, including a previous post as Chief of Staff, she has developed a broad understanding of the Power Authority and excelled at working collaboratively with employees and external parties,” NYPA said.

In Harley’s role as Chief Risk and Resilience Officer, she will set the Power Authority’s strategic risk management and resilience vision and implement, oversee and monitor all risk management and resilience activities at NYPA.

She also will be responsible for determining NYPA’s risk tolerance and instituting associated strategic plans, including oversight of the Power Authority’s Sustainability team, which is responsible for the development and implementation of NYPA’s ESG strategy.

Harley has spent her entire career in the energy industry and comes to NYPA from National Grid.

She has extensive experience designing, implementing and leading enterprise risk management programs to protect people, assets and communities, while preserving value and adapting to new opportunities, NYPA said.