Open to opportunities

Neha Malhotra

@nehamalhotra1

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Technical policy professional bridging public policy, data, and energy systems.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles combining energy policy, regulatory analysis, and program management where I can apply data-driven research, stakeholder coordination, and technical tools to improve reliability and policy outcomes.

I am a technical policy and government engagement professional with 5+ years working at the intersection of public policy, technical analysis, and multi-stakeholder coordination. I translate complex evaluations into decision-relevant policy guidance and manage external partnerships across legal, policy, and technical teams in safety- and reliability-critical contexts.

My recent work includes leading program and contract management for a $500M portfolio, coordinating multi-utility working groups on demand response and energy efficiency, and preparing regulatory filings and policy briefs for state agencies. I have conducted research for the California Public Utilities Commission and completed consulting projects on renewable integration, capacity market design, and life-cycle assessments using tools like Python, ArcGIS, GEE, Tableau, Power BI, and RStudio.

I bring strengths in stakeholder engagement, project management, policy analysis, and applied data science, supported by a Master of Development Practice from UC Berkeley and professional experience across Indian national policy institutions and U.S. energy agencies. I focus on delivering actionable recommendations that improve program performance and regulatory outcomes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Energy Utility Analyst

Current

Southern California Public Power Authority

Jun 2025 - Present (7 months)

Lead program and contract management for a $500M portfolio, coordinating 12 member utilities across demand response and energy efficiency programs and developing RFPs and vendor contracts to improve implementation. Track and interpret CPUC, CEC, and CARB proceedings and prepare regulatory filings, public comments, and policy briefings for members.

Program Management Contract Management Regulatory RFP Demand Response Programs Energy Efficiency Policy Briefing

Independent Consultant

GridLab

Mar 2025 - May 2025 (2 months)

Assessed PJM capacity market design and renewable integration, analyzed 10 years of hourly PJM data using Python, evaluated ELCC values for solar, and proposed market reforms to enhance reliability and decarbonization. Developed alternative capacity valuation models.

Python Data Analysis Capacity Markets ELCC Analysis Time Series Analysis

Graduate Student Consultant

India Energy Climate Center

Mar 2025 - Apr 2025 (1 month)

Analyzed land holdings and policy tools to assess solar adoption feasibility and developed cost-benefit analyses and agri-solar recommendations; used GEE and ArcGIS to map solar suitability across India. Evaluated economic viability and identified income pathways for farmers.

Geospatial analysis ArcGIS Google Earth Engine Cost Benefit Analysis

Graduate Student Researcher

California Public Utilities Commission

Jun 2024 - Nov 2024 (5 months)

Conducted research on dual participation policies in demand response programs, analyzing regulatory frameworks, ratepayer impacts, and system reliability and delivering reports and presentations to PUCs and utilities. Engaged stakeholders to clarify policy approaches and improve DR program operations.

Demand Response Programs Stakeholder Engagement Policy Analysis Report Writing Data Analysis Presentation

Policy and Programs Professional

NITI Aayog

Jan 2017 - Dec 2023 (6 years 11 months)

Supported national development programs, contributed to monthly rankings and large-scale survey analysis across 750+ districts, and aided planning of INR 500 Cr initiatives by coordinating across ministries and producing executive-level reporting. Informed strategic decisions through data-driven analysis.

Policy Analysis Program Management Data Analysis Strategic Planning Monitoring & Evaluation

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of California, Berkeley - Goldman School of Public Policy

Master of Development Practice, Development Practice / Public Policy

2023 -

Grade: 3.85/4.00

Activities and societies: Graduate student researcher and consultant on energy policy and grid planning projects; conducted applied data science and GIS analyses.

Master of Development Practice student with coursework in GIS, energy and development, applied impact evaluation, and completed certifications in Engineering and Business for Sustainability and Applied Data Science.