About Me

KAREN R. HANSEN, JD, CC-P
Madison, MN, USA (Remote) | 763-242-6013 | karenrhansenjd@outlook.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-hansen-5957505

CLEAN ENERGY | SUSTAINABILITY | CARBON CONSULTANT
Carbon accounting and clean energy strategy professional with 10+ years of experience delivering decarbonization programs, GHG accounting governance, emissions reporting, and sustainability advisory within complex energy and utility environments. Experienced in translating standards into practical implementation—building audit-ready documentation, defensible inventory methodologies, and executive-ready communications. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, cross-functional delivery, and policy/incentive analysis supporting renewable deployment, climate risk governance, and credible sustainability claims.

CORE SKILLS
Carbon Accounting & Reporting (Scopes 1–3 governance; emissions factors; boundaries; QA/QC)
Climate Disclosure & Governance (inventory documentation, traceability, internal controls, audit readiness)
Decarbonization Strategy & Roadmaps (abatement planning, implementation priorities, stakeholder alignment)
Renewable Energy & Markets (REC governance; market standards; renewable procurement support)
Sustainability & ESG Program Support (stakeholder reporting, credibility, defensible claims support)
Climate Policy & Incentives (regulatory monitoring, incentive analysis, compliance strategy)
Project Delivery (scope definition, timelines, deliverables, facilitation, client communications)

TOOLS
Excel (analysis, modeling, governance tracking) | PowerPoint | SharePoint/Teams | Emissions factor libraries and inventory documentation systems | ESG/carbon accounting platform exposure

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — Chattanooga, TN
Senior Program Manager, Environment & Energy Policy | 2014 – 2025

Led enterprise decarbonization strategy and implementation planning aligned to integrated resource planning (IRP), capital investment, and reliability objectives; delivered >50% reduction in projected carbon emissions.
Strengthened GHG accounting governance and renewable attribute (REC) portfolio controls, improving data integrity, documentation discipline, and audit readiness for reporting and filings.
Produced executive-ready deliverables translating evolving standards and market developments into actionable governance structures, risk controls, and implementation decisions.
Led cross-functional stakeholder delivery spanning legal, finance, planning, operations, and compliance; facilitated decision-making on climate strategy and reporting priorities.
Chaired a $3M+ collaborative climate and energy research portfolio, aligning partners, milestones, and outcomes.

Senior Specialist, Clean Energy | 2011 – 2014

Directed clean energy policy and climate initiatives supporting enterprise emissions strategy and regulatory readiness.
Standardized corporate GHG inventories and customer Scope 2 emissions disclosures (lbs/MWh), improving methodological consistency and transparency.
Evaluated incentives and policy scenarios to support renewable energy and energy efficiency investment decisions.
Developed executive briefings translating emissions data and climate policy into actionable recommendations.

Conservis — Minneapolis, MN
Vice President, Advisory Services | 2009 – 2010

Led advisory services delivering sustainability, GHG management, and compliance support; ensured deliverables were grounded in defensible methodologies and implementation-ready recommendations.
Built scalable delivery infrastructure across processes, systems, staffing models, and governance.

Xcel Energy — Minneapolis, MN
Senior Environmental Analyst | 1999 – 2009

Managed corporate climate strategy analysis, including legislative monitoring, compliance assessment, and emissions reduction planning.
Coordinated enterprise GHG inventories, accounting protocols, and emissions tracking systems supporting regulatory and voluntary reporting.
Represented company in climate policy forums including The Climate Registry and WRI GHG Protocol initiatives.

Great River Energy — Maple Grove, MN
Environmental Scientist | 1994 – 1998

Implemented ISO 14001 Environmental Management System; achieved third-party certification for a 1,100-MW generation facility.
Led a four-year contested case as technical expert for electric cooperative coalition; negotiated and managed DOE Climate Challenge MOU.

LEADERSHIP
North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) — Board of Directors, Wholesale Electric Quadrant | 2017 – 2024

Supported development of wholesale electricity market standards; contributed to NAESB REC Base Contract.

EDUCATION
Juris Doctor (JD), Mitchell Hamline School of Law (Journal of Public Law and Policy)
B.A., Biology (Minor: Political Science), Southwest Minnesota State University

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE
Minnesota Attorney License | Climate Change Professional (CC-P), Association of Climate Change Officers