The transition to a low-carbon economy relies on the large-scale deployment of new energy technologies, yet financial and operational risks often hinder progress. Insurance companies are crucial in overcoming these challenges by providing risk mitigation solutions that enhance investor confidence and project viability. This panel will explore how insurers can support the deployment of innovative technologies at scale, the challenges of underwriting new projects, and opportunities for collaboration to accelerate the shift to sustainable energy systems.
Elizabeth Geary, President, Insurance Solutions & Interim CUO, North America Specialty
Liz joined Liberty Mutual in August 2022 as President of Insurance Solutions. In this role, she is responsible for building teams specializing in addressing customers’ emerging risks in a rapidly changing environment. Liz works closely with global brokers and underwriting leaders to understand and stay ahead of global risk trends, while looking for opportunities to build and scale new capabilities to deliver solutions to customers in a timely, consistent manner. To date, Liz and team have built out strategies for cyber, energy transition and alternative risk solutions.
In April 2025, Liz was appointed as Interim Chief Underwriting Officer of North America Specialty (CUO of NAS). In this critically important role, Liz lends her expertise in underwriting acumen, emerging risks and client-centric philosophy to work as an integral partner providing solutions across the wholesale and retail specialty channels.
Before joining Liberty Mutual, Liz served in a dual role as President, Global Portfolio Management, and Chief Underwriting Officer, North America at TransRe, balancing both transactional and portfolio experience for this large, global reinsurer. Prior to this, she was the company’s Global Head of Cyber.
Liz is a graduate of Fordham University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Finance from the Gabelli School of Business.
Lesley Harding, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships, Energy Transition, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lesley Harding is responsible for the firm’s global energy portfolio which includes onshore, offshore, power and renewable sectors, including global risk consultancy. She is tasked with leading the growth and performance of the business and assist clients in managing the transition to cleaner technologies.
Amin Khairallah, Senior Vice President, Risk Engineering Manager – US, LATAM & Caribbean
Amin Khairallah is a professional Chartered Chemical Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual as a Senior Risk Engineer in Dubai in 2009, he spent nearly seven years at ExxonMobil in the UK, where he held various roles in Refining and Petrochemicals.
Amin has collaborated extensively with numerous onshore oil, gas, chemical, and petrochemical facilities across Europe, the US, LATAM, and the MENA region for over 20 years. His work includes engaging with many National Oil Companies and industry majors, focusing on advancing the understanding, development, and implementation of Process Safety and Risk Management principles. Amin is passionate about empowering organizations at all levels—from field operators to CEOs—to effectively identify and manage their process safety risks.
In his current role, Amin leads Liberty Mutual’s highly experienced and diverse team of Risk Engineers for the US, LATAM and Caribbean, supporting both their underwriters and their insureds in the onshore energy space. A growing part of this includes understanding and assessing the potential exposures related to the energy transition.
Nicola De Blasio, Research Associate, Harvard-China Project
Dr. Nicola De Blasio is a globally recognized energy scholar and innovator whose work has shaped the intersection of energy technology, policy, and sustainability for over 25 years. His career spans leadership roles in industry, academia, and strategic consultancy, with a focus on advancing the global energy transition through innovation, strategic alliances, and actionable evidence-based solutions. Renowned for integrating interdisciplinary expertise with practical applications, Nicola has made significant contributions to developing and deploying pathways toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable energy systems.
View a list of past Global Energy Transition Talks here
Sponsored by Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
LOCATION:Pierce Hall, Room 301, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge STATUS:CONFIRMED DTSTART:20250501T193000Z DTEND:20250501T203000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR