Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Bogen serves as Senior Specialist in Energy Policy and Market Development at Ford Motor Company. In this role, she works with utilities and regulators across the United States, particularly in western states, to shape policies that support electric vehicle adoption and bidirectional charging technologies. Her daily responsibilities include setting up conversations with utility companies, participating in public proceedings at Public Utility Commissions, and collaborating with trade organizations to provide input on market regulations and interconnection procedures for electric vehicles. Bogen began her career in the stationary battery storage field in 2013 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, San Diego in 2012. Around 2015, she transitioned into vehicle grid integration, where she has primarily worked in the automotive industry on electric vehicles. She also serves as secretary on the board of the Vehicle Grid Integration Council, a nonprofit industry trade organization, a position she assumed at the beginning of the year. Bogen attributes her professional success to the value of education, hard work, and curiosity instilled by her parents, and she emphasizes the importance of building connections and relationships in advancing her career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my parents. They really instilled in me the value of education. My mom went back to school to get a master's when I was pretty young, and she was working full-time at the same time, so I saw the hard work that my parents put in. They also sparked my curiosity through discussions about world events and games that encouraged learning.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is the value of building connections and relationships, not just in your current job but broadly in the industry, and also mentorship. Pretty much all the roles I've gotten have been through a connection rather than blind applications.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For women looking to get into the electric vehicle industry early in their career, I'd recommend doing informational interviews or volunteering or interning at an organization in this field. In high school, volunteer for an environmental club or look for opportunities to learn more through talking to people in the industry. In college, join clubs related to electric vehicles like sustainable engineering clubs.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, responsibility, and family.
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