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President | Reliable Energy Inc.
Age: 28
Hometown: Jasper
Education: bachelor’s in communication studies, IUPUI
Family: goldendoodle, Bruce
Years with organization: almost 2
First job: working at Buschkoetter’s Nursery, Lawn and Garden Center in Jasper
Community involvement: board member, Indianapolis Downtown GOP Club; member, Indianapolis Young Republicans
Something surprising: “I’m not a lawyer, even though I’ve been mistaken for one more than a few times.”
What I’ve learned since joining the workforce: “I’ve learned just how driven and resilient I am. I may not have been the top student in high school or college, but I’ve always brought a strong work ethic and unwavering determination to every class, internship and professional role.”
In 10 years … : Her plans are still evolving. “My journey so far has taught me the value of trusting the process and staying open to unexpected opportunities.”
Coffee order: Nitro cold brew. “Always.”
Savannah Kerstiens’ path to the presidency of Reliable Energy Inc. started during college, when she interned with the Indiana Senate during her junior year and at Catalyst Public Affairs Group during her senior year. Her resume made it to then-U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks, and Kerstiens became her press secretary after graduation. “That opportunity introduced me to the critical work of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, particularly in the area of energy policy, which I found both complex and fascinating,” she said. After Brooks retired, Kerstiens returned to Indianapolis—and Catalyst—until she was asked to run Republican businessman Jefferson Shreve’s mayoral campaign. After the election, Jon Ford, then president of Reliable Energy—which advocates for energy sources that include coal, gas and nuclear—and Board Chair Terry Marsh asked her to lead their organization’s communications. She served as vice president of communications for a year, then stepped into the presidency this February. “One of the most challenging, yet also most rewarding, parts of my role is elevating public awareness and media attention around energy issues in Indiana,” she said. “Energy is no longer a behind-the-scenes topic. More reporters are covering it, more policymakers are engaging with it and the general public is beginning to understand how critical it is to our state’s economic future and daily life.”•
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