Working Group participation is the beating heart of the North American SEM community.
We welcome volunteers from all levels of experience, offering a valuable opportunity for beginners and experts alike to learn from one another and collaborate on the most pressing SEM challenges, topics and trends.
Get in touch if you have any general Working Group questions or complete the form at the bottom of this page if you'd like to propose a new Working Group topic.
K-12 Schools
This working group focuses on how to educate future energy consumers within school funding constraints.
2026 leads: Lindsay Cohen (Stillwater Energy) and Kathleen Belkhayat (Energy Trust of Oregon)
2026 meeting cadence: Every two months
Emissions Reduction/Decarbonization (GHG + SEM)
This working group discusses and develops strategies to integrate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies with SEM.
2026 leads: Pam Birkel (Cascade Energy)
2026 meeting cadence: Every three weeks
Building Performance Standards (BPS)
This working group focuses on current challenges and areas for alignment across entities subject to building performance legislation.
2026 leads: Faith Debolt (SBW), Tina Snell (ASK)
2026 meeting cadence: To be determined in 2026
Supersize scale and reach of SEM
This working group focuses on making SEM more accessible, adaptable, and embedded in how organizations operate, enabling broader participation, deeper impact, and lasting change across sectors through innovation and collaboration.
2026 co-leads: Jinsy Oomman (Cascade Energy) and Derek Okada (Energy Solutions)
2026 meeting cadence: Every other Wednesday
A new SEMC Working Group may form at any time so long as it's: 1) Aligned with and supportive of the mission of the SEM Collaborative, 2) Not redundant with already established Working Groups, and 3) There's an identified member who will serve as the Working Group Lead. The SEMC Working Group Committee will review new requests and provide information and support to new Working Group Leads. To get started, please fill out the following application for a New SEMC Working Group.