2024
In her tenure on the MEEA Board, Kristol Simms was instrumental to setting the organization up for success and guiding MEEA through many pivotal moments. Kristol joined the MEEA Board in 2018 for Ameren Illinois, replacing Keith Martin who served in Ameren’s seat for 1 year, and quickly made an impact. During her first years on the board, she helped develop the organization’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. She and other board members also helped start MEEA’s first DEI Committee in 2019, which will leave a lasting impact on MEEA and the industry. Kristol offered invaluable insight during the pandemic, immediately and as organizations and events looked at how to function in a new normal.
Serving as Board Chair from July 2021 through June 2023, she offered insight and support as MEEA expanded its membership and work to more intentionally include community-based organizations. She worked closely with MEEA staff and the Board, as former Executive Director Stacey Paradis stepped down to take a role at the Illinois Commerce Commission in early 2023. Through this transitional time, Kristol ensured the organization was set up for success, while also overseeing Ameren Illinois’ work related to CEJA. The industry knows Kristol as a fierce proponent of equitable energy efficiency as much as she is a proponent of a good karaoke song.