Description
This workshop, brought to you by Forth and Drive Electric Minnesota, explores four key focus areas: affordability, multifamily housing (MFH), workforce development and sustainable transportation policy, the session will highlight how stakeholders across the region are working together to expand equitable access to electric mobility. Participants will hear examples of policies and utility programs designed to reduce cost barriers, strategies for engaging MFH developers and residents in EV charging deployment, and lessons from state-level sustainable transportation initiatives. Drawing on real efforts, such as bringing charging investments to underserved neighborhoods, promoting multimodal campaigns shaped by local priorities, and supporting municipalities through advocacy and resource sharing, the workshop will provide practical insights for designing electric transportation programs that start with community voices and reflect community needs.
***Complimentary passes available to Drive Electric Minnesota members and members of CBOs
Workshop Program
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Networking breakfast and Registration
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Opening Remarks
10:15 AM - 10:50 AM | Keynote
Mollie Michel, Program Director, Sunstone Strategies
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM | Driving Down Costs for Equitable and Affordable Electric Mobility | This session explores targeted incentive models, state-level policy tools, and community-led strategies designed to lower financial barriers and make electric mobility truly affordable and accessible across the Midwest
Moderated by: Moaz Mian | Electric Mobility Manager at Great Plains Institute
Gunnar Aas | Director of Technology at HOURCAR
Erik Noonan | Communications Manager at Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
Patrick Mathwig | Energy Services Representative at Dakota Electric Association
EVNoire
11:50 AM - 12:20 PM | Expanding EV Access with Multifamily Housing Programs | This session explores strategies and collaborative models to engage developers, property owners, and residents to deploy equitable electric vehicle charging at multifamily housing sites.
Moderated by: Simbiat Yusuff-Mueller | Events Manager at Forth
Whit Jamieson | Senior Specialist at Forth
Dale Howey | Property Manager of Green Rock Apartments
12:20 PM - 12:45 PM | Networking Roundtables
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM | Lunch and vehicle display viewing
1:45 PM - 2:20 PM | Connecting Communities to Green Jobs and Technical Training | This session explores community-centered training programs, industry partnerships, and equitable career pathways needed to build a skilled local workforce for the expanding electric transportation sector
Moderated by: Quincie Doucet | Program Manager at Forth
Jukka Kukkonen | Founder of Shift2Electric
Kianna Scott | CEO at SmarterHelp
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM | Sustainable Transportation Policy |This fireside chat brings together key regional policymakers to explore successful sustainable transportation policies and discuss actionable strategies to adapt and scale these policy tools in the Midwest
Moderated by: Alissa Burger | Regional Policy Director at CALSTART
Representative Larry Kraft | Minnesota House of Representatives
Andrew Wishnia | Senior Vice President at Boundary Stone Partners and former Deputy Assistant Secretary at US Department of Transportation
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM | Break
3:30 PM - 3:55 PM | Networking Roundtables
3:55 PM - 4:00 PM | Conclusion
4:00 PM- 6:00 PM | Hosted Happy Hour
About Forth
Forth is a nonprofit organization with a mission to electrify transportation by bringing people together to create solutions that reduce pollution and barriers to access. Founded in 2011, Forth’s diverse experience includes providing technical and outreach assistance to communities and states; designing and executing dozens of hands-on projects, from e-bike education and electric carsharing in historically underserved communities; and creating the nation’s first brand-neutral mobile EV showroom to support public education events. Forth believes that centering the needs of those with the greatest barriers produces better outcomes for all and is committed to centering equity in all our work.
About Drive Electric Minnesota
Drive Electric Minnesota is a network of electric vehicle champions accelerating Minnesota’s electric mobility future. The coalition accelerates the equitable adoption of electric vehicles by providing trusted information, advocating for smart policies, and building a collaborative and inclusive network that drives education, outreach, and market growth.
Date & Time
Mon, Oct 5, 2026 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Venue Details
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park AvenueMinneapolis, Minnesota 55407
