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Board of Directors > Donald E. Brown

Donald E. Brown headshot.

Donald E. Brown

Independent Director since 2020
Former Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer, NiSource Inc.

Committee Assignments and Rationale

Audit Committee (Chair)

  • Multiple leadership positions with financial oversight responsibility, including as former Chief Financial Officer at NiSource, a highly regulated natural gas and electric utilities company serving customers across multiple states.

Risk and Return Committee

  • Experience evaluating risk exposures and return opportunities as a senior leader in a highly regulated utilities company
  • Chair of Allstate Audit Committee

Professional Experience

  • Former Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of NiSource Inc., a highly regulated natural gas and electric utilities company serving customers across multiple states.
  • Former EVP and CFO of NiSource Inc.

Key Experience and Qualifications

Risk Management: As former Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of NiSource, had overall responsibility for identifying and evaluating financial risk exposures and determining steps to mitigate those risks.

Accounting and Finance: Significant financial and accounting experience gained leading the financial operations of one of the largest utility companies in the country.

Technology and/or Cybersecurity: In depth understanding of technological advancements and operational transformation to enhance the customer experience at NiSource.

Complex, Highly Regulated Businesses: Expertise developed while working within the heavily regulated utilities industry.

Sustainability: Experience developing and leading transition to a less carbon-intensive business model gained while serving in leadership roles at NiSource, a utilities company.

Succession Planning and Human Capital Management: Responsibilities as a senior leader at NiSource included oversight of employee recruitment, development and retention, as well as leadership of large teams.

Innovation and Customer Focus: Experience obtained while overseeing a business focused on delivering safe, reliable and efficient services to customers and communities.

Government, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs: Deep understanding of compliance and governmental requirements acquired as a senior leader of one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States.

Other Public Board Service

  • None
ECC Monitor: OK