The Energy Institute Celebrates Long-Time Associate Director, Karen Notsund, and Welcomes New Team Members
August 5, 2025
With much appreciation, and some sadness, the Energy Institute celebrates Karen Notsund upon her retirement.
Karen Notsund joined what was then called the University of California Energy Institute in 2001. Throughout her time she skillfully and responsibly managed the business side of the Energy Institute. She oversaw countless proposals and research grants. Karen built and maintained multi-faceted relationships with funders from California to Africa. She masterfully navigated UC Berkeley’s complex organization. Karen’s focus and problem solving have supported and boosted the research productivity of the Energy Institute’s faculty and graduate students during her 25 years. Her passion for enabling the success of faculty and students has always come through.
Even more enduring than her administrative accomplishments has been Karen’s role in building a welcoming and caring community at the Energy Institute. She has brought new students and faculty into the Energy Institute fold, and maintained bonds with dozens of alumni. She has provided emotional and practical support for the Energy Institute community through joyful and tragic times.
Upon Karen’s retirement, Faculty Director Severin Borenstein noted that “the Energy Institute is known for a strong and supportive community of people passionate about energy economics. Karen has been at the heart of creating that community, welcoming students, visiting researchers, and affiliated faculty, as well as the larger community that participates in programs.” Faculty Director Meredith Fowlie added, “Karen has been an inspiration since my graduate school days. She has always made our workplace feel like family. She brings this amazing combination of deep competence, problem solving, and compassion. EI will not be the same without her.”
“Karen has been a thought partner and guide for me throughout my time at the Energy Institute. So much of the research and policy impact of the Energy Institute has been enabled by her skills managing research contracts and data,” shares Executive Director Andrew Campbell.
Karen will return to the Energy Institute on a part-time basis to continue directing the Energy and Environmental Economics Mentorship Program. The mentorship program creates opportunities for undergraduates to work closely with PhD students and be part of an enthusiastic research community exploring energy and environmental research and policy questions confronting the US and the world.
Thank you, Karen. You have had a lasting impact on the Energy Institute and the students, visitors, faculty and professionals who have been part of the Energy Institute community.
Maura Mooney has joined the Energy Institute as our new Associate Director where she will manage contracts and grants, finances, human resources, data management and provide project management support across the Institute’s research portfolio. Prior to joining the Energy Institute, Maura worked at Rocky Mountain Institute on the Carbon-Free Buildings team, where she provided market research, project management, grant administration, and financial management on state and federal grants. Previously, she also worked with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy on the Grants and Corporate Development team. Maura received her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, and holds a Masters of Environmental Management and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of San Francisco. She is very excited to be returning to Berkeley.
Jamie Finn will be joining the Energy Institute this month as Office Manager. Jamie has experience in higher education administration, strategic planning, and organizational operations. Before coming to UC Berkeley, she served as Coordinator for the Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation unit within the Capital Planning & Design department of California State University’s Office of the Chancellor. There, Jamie supported CSU’s systemwide initiatives focused on energy efficiency, decarbonization, renewable energy, utility management, and sustainability. She has a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from California State University, Sacramento.
As Office Manager Jamie will be responsible for general operations at the Energy Institute. She will play a key role in disseminating Energy Institute research and analysis through the Energy Institute Blog, our email distribution list and social media. Jamie will also provide all administrative and logistical support for our popular events including the POWER Conference on Energy Research and Policy.
Please help us welcome Maura and Jamie!