Caren Anders serves as vice president of emerging technology for Duke Energy. In this role, her responsibilities include the development and application of technologies that support Duke Energy’s mission of providing electric services in an affordable, reliable and clean manner – while maintaining a strong financial position and responding to an ever-changing business environment. Key emerging technologies include renewable generation, plug-in electric vehicles, energy storage, smart grid, clean combustion, and water efficiency.  She assumed her current position in January 2015.

Anders brings more than 30 years of experience to the position, including engineering and a variety of leadership roles. She joined the company in March 2007 as vice president of transmission operations and planning for Progress Energy. Prior to that, she held numerous leadership roles at Exelon Corp. in the nuclear, fossil and transmission businesses.

Following the Duke Energy/Progress Energy merger in July 2012, Anders served as chief transmission officer for Duke Energy. She had responsibility for overseeing the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Duke Energy’s electric transmission system, which included over 30,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 3,000 substations in six states. Her duties included planning, engineering and asset management, construction and maintenance, project management, operations and vegetation management.

Anders earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and received her MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She is also a graduate of the Columbia University Advanced Management Program, Leadership Philadelphia and Leadership North Carolina. She is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and a Fellow of ASME International.

Involved in a number of community and professional activities, Anders currently serves as a board member of PT Holding Company.  She serves on the advisory board of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at N.C. State University, the industry advisory board of ASME International and is also a board member of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. 

Anders was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. She and her husband, David, have two children.