Sarah J. Mugel

My career in energy began somewhat by chance when I was searching for in-house counsel positions and found an opening at a company in my area. That initial opportunity turned into a 30-year career where I clearly was doing something right and truly enjoying the work. The topics were far-reaching and interesting, with real impact on the community, which kept me engaged throughout my tenure. I served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, working those intense 80 to 100-hour weeks that come with senior legal roles. My whole career focused on natural gas and electric energy. When I retired, I knew I wasn't done with the industry, I just needed to step away from those grueling work weeks. I was fortunate to find a compensated independent director position at a somewhat unusual organization. It's not publicly traded and it's not a charity, but rather a non-profit service organization focused on electric transmission and electric operators. So my board career has been all in electric, which intertwines nicely with my previous gas and electric experience. Today my expertise centers on corporate governance, board governance, risk management, fiduciary responsibilities, and federal regulatory matters in the energy space. My typical day now is a wonderful combination of pleasure and work, with lots of time for the things I like to do for fun, while staying abreast of industry issues by reading articles and trade journals. I prepare for board meetings at least four times a year, plus committee meetings in between, so I spend a few times a month on board-related work, and more intensively during the quarterly meeting months.