Leslie Nicholls is the Program Director for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) focusing on assisting with strategic energy management activities
Most recently, Leslie served as FEMP’s Strategic Director with responsibility for leading cross-cutting strategic initiatives to increase FEMP’s program integration and impact. Leslie’s efforts have resulted in increased visibility of FEMP’s work; including strengthening stakeholder relationships and supporting the program’s expansion in technology innovation and validation to address federal sector energy, water, and resilience needs.
Leslie is the driving force behind the Energy Exchange; a widely recognized training and trade show focusing on efficient, resilient, and secure federal site operations to support mission assurance. The Energy Exchange provides workforce development to those who help maintain the 350,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles owned and operated by the federal government.
Leslie served as FEMP’s Acting Director January 2017 – September 2018. Under her leadership, FEMP launched its Resilience and Security Program in response to federal agency needs. Prior to that role, she was FEMP’s Strategic Communications and Training Manager, in charge of overseeing processes and tools that were used to facilitate program communications and training.
Leslie brings nearly three decades of energy sector and executive leadership experience to her role. Prior to joining DOE, Leslie served as the Vice President of the Building Energy Solutions Division at Energetics Incorporated, where she oversaw a diverse portfolio of public and private sector clients and helped improve their operational health. Before joining Energetics, she was a Senior Contracting Officer at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, managing lighting and building systems technology development procurements, GovEnergy, and inventor innovation competitions.
Leslie is a certified project management professional, and has bachelor and master degrees in business administration from Washington State University.
