Drew Smith is an energy industry professional for Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC. He started his career with Duke in 2021 supporting efforts to acquire, develop and manage renewable natural gas production projects. These projects use feedstocks such as livestock waste and wastewater to produce natural gas that is less carbon intensive than geological natural gas. He currently works for the enterprise’s corporate development team.

Previously, he worked in Sacramento, CA as an AmeriCorps Construction fellow and outreach Coordinator for Grid Alternatives, a non-profit organization providing no cost solar to income qualified homeowners as well as on the job training and employment opportunities.

He first indulged his interest in energy when he developed a grant that provided solar charging and lighting devices to a local for farmers and fisherfolk organization as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines (2014-2016). He also measured marine ecological and socioeconomic conditions and recommended best practices to manage the municipalities critical marine resources in a Coastal Environmental Profile for the municipality of San Agustin, Romblon. This included helping write the legal basis for a Marine Protected Area surrounding the blue hole, an underwater cave in the province. He found his time abroad to be a transformational experience and supports Elevate Up and Out’s mission to provide similar opportunities to those for whom it may otherwise be out of reach.

He obtained his MBA from UNC Kenan-Flager concentrating in corporate finance with an enrichment in energy and his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Emory University.

His interests include continued learning, playing and watching soccer, mountain biking, fishing and spending as much time outdoors as possible.