About
Energy infrastructure investments over the next decade will shape our planet’s future for the next century. Groundwork Data offers advisory, research, and technology services to accelerate a clean, equitable, and resilient energy transition. We help our clients make better decisions with better data.
We’re working to address key gaps in the current energy transition planning landscape:
An overreliance on the private sector and investor-owned utilities in charting the course of our clean energy future, and the subsequent need for public-centered independent analysis.
The limited use of data-driven decision making in public infrastructure investment, and the opportunity for technology to provide transparency, novel insights, and improved public outcomes.
The difficulty of translating state and national goals into local action and the need for bottom-up community roadmaps to meet decarbonization goals.
Who We Are
Michael J. Walsh, Ph.D
Michael J. Walsh is an integrated systems scientist and deep decarbonization planner. He is a founding partner at Groundwork Data and leads the Energy Transition practice. Michael has been instrumental in various climate and energy forecasting studies for universities, cities, states, and global industries. His prior roles include serving as the technical lead for the Carbon Free Boston report and as the project director for the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap study. He is currently a co-principal investigator for the Boston Climate Progress Report. Michael earned a BA in Chemistry from Colby College and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University
Mike Bloomberg
Mike Bloomberg is the Managing Partner at Groundwork Data and is a recognized leader in the field of urban technology. With a career spanning roles as a researcher, consultant, and Chief of Staff to a mayor, Mike has extensive experience working both in and with local governments. His unique blend of experience merges political acumen with a deep understanding of technology and business practices, supporting the public good. Now a resident of DC and originally from Western Massachusetts, Mike holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an MBA from Cornell Tech. In addition to his role at Groundwork, Mike is a Visiting Researcher at Cornell Tech's Urban Tech Hub in New York City.
Dorie Seavey, Ph.D
Dorie Seavey is a Senior Research Scientist at Groundwork Data, where she leads "Future of Gas" research, assisting cities, states, and utilities in crafting data-driven policy and regulatory tools for a fossil-free future. In her previous roles, she served as the principal investigator for in-depth studies of gas distribution systems in both Massachusetts and Philadelphia. Dorie is a co-author of a study that proposes a comprehensive initiative for the strategic electrification of low-income households in Maryland. Before delving into climate-related research, Dorie was the Director of Policy Research at PHI in New York, leading a national research campaign to secure wage and overtime protections for home care workers. She earned her PhD in economics from Yale University.
Conor Lyman
Conor Lyman is a Senior Research Scientist at Groundwork Data, where he leads the modeling efforts. The tools Conor develops allow Groundwork to simulate energy pathways at a hyper-localized level and deliver clear, actionable insights to stakeholders. Before joining Groundwork, Conor developed models for Blueprint Power, providing energy portfolio analysis and evaluating distributed energy resource projects. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The George Washington University and dual M.S. degrees in Urban Technology from Cornell Tech and the Technion.
Varun Adibhatla
Varun Adibhatla is a founding partner at Groundwork Data and serves as a Senior Advisor for Infrastructure Planning and Technology Development. He also holds the position of Head of Data Science & Analytics at NYC School Bus Umbrella Services, a not-for-profit entity aiming to launch the country's first all-electric school bus fleet. In the past, Varun served as the Director of Business Insights & Analytics for Urbint, where he built AI-powered tools for the gas industry. Additionally, Varun is an adjunct professor of civic analytics and urban intelligence at NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress. He holds an MS in Information Science from Penn State and a Master's in Applied Urban Science and Informatics from NYU
Elvis Méndez
Elvis Méndez is a Senior Advisor at Groundwork Data, offering project management, operational support, and consultation on issues related to environmental justice communities and stakeholder engagement. Before joining Groundwork, Elvis was the Executive Director of Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts. He has spearheaded organizing efforts with the National Guestworker Alliance (Resilience Force), Immigrant Worker Center Collaborative, and Warehouse Workers for Justice. Elvis holds a bachelor's degree in Social Thought and Political Economy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master's in Public Policy with a focus on Urban Planning and Environmental Policy from Tufts University. He is also pursuing a Master of Science in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Elvis is based in the Chicago area.