Industry Scholar and Executive Strategy Leader to Drive BRITEnetwork Expansion and Midwest Energy Investments
CLEVELAND, Ohio – [October 1, 2026] – BRITE Energy Innovators, Ohio’s only energy technology accelerator, announced today the appointment of Dr. Ivory J. Simms, Ph.D., as Vice President, Development & Strategy. Dr. Simms joins BRITE’s executive leadership team to spearhead organizational growth, philanthropic development, and the strategic expansion of BRITEnetwork, the premier ecosystem connecting startups, corporations, utilities, investors, and economic development organizations across the Midwest.
Dr. Simms brings over two decades of global executive experience and interdisciplinary research to BRITE. Her career spans across power, chemical, oil and gas, agriculture, environmental health, financial services, and commercial real estate strategic leadership roles. At BRITE, Dr. Simms will lead advancement of the BRITEnetwork, oversee revenue strategy, member acquisition, corporate engagement and institutional grant pipelines to support BRITE’s mission of making energy cleaner, more reliable, and affordable
“Dr. Simms brings an exceptional blend of enterprise strategy, corporate partnership acumen, and deep academic rigor to BRITE,” said Jade Davis, Chief Executive Officer of BRITE Energy Innovators. “As we position the Midwest as the national launchpad for advanced energy hardware, building sustainable, high-value partnerships is critical. Ivory’s leadership will elevate BRITEnetwork into an even stronger engine for regional investment, job creation, and commercialization of grid solutions.”
In academia, Dr. Simms has an Adjunct Assistant Professor appointment at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where she leads empirical research teams examining food systems and facilitates seminars on Community Systems Science. She holds a Ph.D. in Designing Sustainable Systems from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Business Administration and Graduate Certification in Organizational Change Leadership from Georgia State University, and Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Communication from Ohio University.
“Joining BRITE at this pivotal moment in the energy transition is an incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Ivory Simms. “BRITE has established an extraordinary track record in bridging high-tech innovation with real-world market deployment. I look forward to working alongside Jade, the BRITE team, and its partners to expand BRITEnetwork, cultivate high-impact strategic alliances, and secure the resources needed to power our region’s energy economy.”
In addition to leading corporate relationship strategy and grant funding development, Dr. Simms will oversee major ecosystem convenings, including the BRITE Energy Innovation Summit and BRITEnites, as part of the BRITE Network.
ABOUT BRITE ENERGY INNOVATORS:
BRITE Energy Innovators is accelerating the advanced energy economy to make energy cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2010 to serve Northeast Ohio, BRITE has since expanded its footprint to serve advanced energy technology startups across the state. To date, BRITE has supported over 650 advanced energy companies, helping these companies secure over a billion dollars in third-party investment and create over 2,100 jobs.