Brandy Brown

Dr. Brandy Brown is an experienced energy strategist currently serving as Chief Innovation Officer at Walker-Miller Energy Services in Detroit, where she blends research and emerging technology to deliver innovative energy solutions to historically marginalized communities. She is also set to teach an 'Interdisciplinary Climate Solution' course at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

Prior to her role at Walker-Miller, Dr. Brown served as Climate & Energy Advisor for Michigan Governor Whitmer, leading the Office of Climate and Energy created in 2019. In this position, she coordinated statewide climate action efforts, provided guidance to local governments, and advanced renewable energy initiatives throughout Michigan.

Dr. Brown's work centers on energy justice and equitable climate solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical energy decisions and their disproportionate impacts on communities of color. Her research interests focus on ensuring that energy transitions benefit historically marginalized communities and create wealth-building opportunities rather than perpetuating existing inequities. She advocates for community-centered approaches to renewable energy deployment that prioritize both environmental and social outcomes.

As a descendant of free people of color, Dr. Brown brings personal and historical perspective to her work, connecting family oral traditions about land relationships to contemporary energy justice issues. She emphasizes measuring the 'people cost' of energy decisions beyond traditional metrics like kWh or emissions, focusing instead on community wellbeing and equitable outcomes.