Naveed Paydar

About Naveed Paydar

Regulatory and policy strategist with 10+ years advancing energy, infrastructure, and emerging technology initiatives across government and industry. I help organizations translate complex regulatory environments into clear strategy, operational alignment, and measurable results.At the California Public Utilities Commission, I’ve led cross-functional teams of engineers, attorneys, and policy experts to advance statewide priorities in grid reliability, wildfire mitigation, and broadband equity. My work has included modernizing oversight for utility-scale energy storage, advising Commissioners on wildfire mapping coordination, and designing risk-categorization frameworks to improve infrastructure accountability and performance.I specialize in navigating high-stakes policy environments, simplifying technical complexity, and building durable alignment across agencies, industry partners, and communities. Whether drafting forward-looking regulatory frameworks, coordinating multi-agency coalitions, or advising executive management, I bring analytic rigor, strategic judgment, and collaborative execution to complex public-sector challenges.

Experience

1. Senior Analyst

   California Public Utilities Commission

   Oct 2024 — Present

   Lead statewide oversight and enforcement of safety, operational, and compliance standards for utility-scale generation and energy storage assets across California.

Education

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  Master's, History and Philosophy of Science

  2009 — 2010

• Indiana University Bloomington

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Public Affairs

  2010 — 2016

Skills

• Higher Education