VESTAL — The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, led by Binghamton University, in January appointed Heidi Grenek as its chief operating officer (COO). She is responsible for leading the Engine’s operational strategy — overseeing day-to-day operations, financial planning, and budgeting; providing compliance and regulatory oversight; and developing and implementing strategies to drive overall programmatic […]
VESTAL — The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, led by Binghamton University, in January appointed Heidi Grenek as its chief operating officer (COO).
She is responsible for leading the Engine’s operational strategy — overseeing day-to-day operations, financial planning, and budgeting; providing compliance and regulatory oversight; and developing and implementing strategies to drive overall programmatic success.
“We are thrilled to welcome Heidi to our team,” Meera Sampath, CEO of the Engine, said in a release. “Heidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise, refined through her many senior leadership roles in the tech industry. Her strategic planning abilities, business acumen and hands-on operational management experience will be invaluable assets as the Engine accelerates its efforts to drive impact at scale and speed.”
Grenek has worked for many years in large organizations at the intersection of technology and business. She most recently served as chief operating officer for Pure Lithium Corporation, a startup focused on lithium metal extraction and battery innovation. Prior to Pure Lithium, Grenek led high-stakes corporate initiatives at Corning, including comprehensive transformation of lithium supply chain operations through revamped forecasting processes, supplier diversification and partnerships, and material recycling, to generate savings and secure supply, per the release. She began her career at Xerox Corporation, where she had progressive leadership and entrepreneurial roles, including as director of business development and strategy for the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC).
“The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine’s work is vital for both New York’s economic growth and the future of battery storage and power management,” said Grenek. “Battery technology sits at the intersection of our nation’s energy security and industrial innovation. This is an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the region’s economy while advancing critical energy solutions for our country.”
Grenek holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as certifications in artificial intelligence for business applications from MIT and the University of Chicago.
The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, led by Binghamton University, is a National Science Foundation-funded, place-based innovation program. The coalition of more than 40 academic, industry, nonprofit, state, and community organizations includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, LAUNCH-NY, and NY-BEST as core partners. The Engine advances next-gen battery technology development and manufacturing. Its vision is to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital.
