Dr. Jennifer Uhle is NEI’s Vice President of Technical & Regulatory Services.   

Prior to joining NEI in 2018, Uhle was a consultant to the nuclear industry in the areas of advanced reactors and thermal-hydraulics, and prior to that as a senior executive at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 23 years. 

Uhle obtained her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from MIT in 1991 and 1996, respectively. She served as the U.S. representative to the IAEA’s mission to Fukushima in 2011, was on the advisory committee to MIT’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, the 2021 U.S. National Academy of Science Committee on a U.S. fusion pilot program and serves on the Nuclear Science & Technology Advisory Board for Idaho National Laboratory.   

Sama Bilbao y León is Director General of World Nuclear Association and also President of World Nuclear University.  She has more than 20 years of diverse experience in nuclear engineering and energy policy; having worked with distinction in industry, academia and having held high level positions at OECD/NEA and IAEA. 

Sama holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,  a master’s degree in Energy Technologies, as well as a  master's degree and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and an MBA . Sama is one of founders of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN). 

Sama Bilbao y León is Director General of World Nuclear Association and also President of World Nuclear University.  She has more than 20 years of diverse experience in nuclear engineering and energy policy; having worked with distinction in industry, academia and having held high level positions at OECD/NEA and IAEA.

Sama holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,  a master’s degree in Energy Technologies, as well as a  master's degree and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and an MBA . Sama is one of founders of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN).

Emmanuel Brutin is the Director General of nucleareurope since March 2025. As such, he leads the association's strategic direction and represents the European nuclear industry towards the EU institutions and stakeholders. 

Emmanuel has worked in Brussels on energy and climate policy issues for nearly 20 years. He was previously Public Affairs Director with CEMBUREAU, the association of the European cement industry, where he oversaw the public affairs and communication activities of the association, with a focus on the European Green Deal. Before joining CEMBUREAU in 2019, he headed up the Brussels office of National Grid, the UK energy transmission company (2013-2019). At that time, he also chaired the EU Affairs Group of the European Network of Transmission System Operators  (ENTSO-E). Prior to that, Emmanuel worked in various public affairs position for UNIFE, the Association of the European rail industry (2008-2012), and the lobbying consultancy Grayling (2005-2007).  

A graduate from Sciences-Po Lille, a French Grande Ecole of political sciences, Emmanuel completed a Master in European Public Affairs in Paris. Emmanuel is a lecturer at Sorbonne University, and has regular speaking engagements in various forums.  

Since July 2024, Shuji Yoneda has been based in Washington, D.C., where he represents The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC). In this role, he works closely with the U.S. government, Congress and U.S. nuclear industry to promote a better understanding of Japan’s nuclear fuel cycle program and to strengthen U.S.–Japan cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. 

Shuji has nearly 20 years of experience in the nuclear fuel cycle sector. He joined Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in 2006 and has since developed deep expertise in Japan’s nuclear fuel cycle. From 2008 to 2022, he worked in TEPCO’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Department, where he was involved in nuclear fuel procurement as well as fuel cycle project planning, financing, and contract management. 

More specifically, his work included managing Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited’s reprocessing and enrichment projects in Rokkasho, also working with international partners such as the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and France’s Orano on reprocessing activities, and overseeing MOX fuel and high-level radioactive waste transport. He was also engaged in front-end fuel procurement contracting. 

In 2022, he was seconded to FEPC headquarters, where he spent about two years supporting Japan’s nuclear fuel cycle initiatives and strengthening coordination across the Japanese electric power industry. 

Shuji holds a Master’s degree in Public International Law from the University of Amsterdam, where he focused on nuclear-related legal issues, and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Law from Keio University. 

Jonathan Stephens, P.E., is Director of Civil Maritime Nuclear at BWX Technologies. His 27-year career spans a wide range of nuclear reactor projects, as well as research reactor operations and experimentation. He is currently leading efforts related to floating nuclear power plants and commercial maritime propulsion at BWXT Advanced Technologies, which is active in advanced microreactor design efforts including Project Pele and BANR, as well as space applications like nuclear thermal propulsion and lunar fission surface power. Jonathan is on the Board of Directors of the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO), and is currently the chair of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) maritime nuclear task force. 

Prior to BWXT, Jonathan spent 7 years at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory working on reactor physics and radiation shielding for aircraft carrier and submarine reactors, as well as radiation shield design for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) project. This was followed by 15 years at AREVA/Framatome managing commercial PWR reload analysis as well as physics codes and methods development.  He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he also served as a licensed SRO and Operations Supervisor of the university research reactor. He has an MBA from Lynchburg College and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia. 

Johnathan D. Chavers is Director of Nuclear Fuel and Analysis for Southern Nuclear, where he leads nuclear fuel procurement and serves as the engineering design authority for fuel analysis across the fleet of commercial reactors owned by Southern Company affiliates. He is a recognized industry leader in advanced light‑water reactor fuel innovation and was named an American Nuclear Society Fellow in 2025 recognizing sustained and outstanding contributions to nuclear science and engineering specifically in leadership with innovations in light water reactor nuclear fuel designs.   

Johnathan led the industry’s first NRCapproved license amendment authorizing fuel enrichments above five weight percent U235 for a U.S. commercial reactor and has led teams earning multiple NEI Top Innovative Practice awards for advancements in nuclear fuel designs and an IAEA Innovation award for AIenabled core design optimization. 

Johnathan currently serves as the industry lead for the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Accident Tolerant Fuel Task Force.  He also serves as an industry advisor to Electric Power Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Fuel Campaign. Johnathan serves on the Board of Advisors at the University of Tennessee Nuclear Engineering Program and as an advisor to North Carolina State University Department of Nuclear Engineering.  

Johnathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration from Samford University.   

Christian Di Lizia is a senior nuclear energy professional with over 20 years of international experience across engineering, project development, and institutional engagement. He currently serves as Senior Business Developer within EDF’s International New Nuclear Development Division, where he supports the development of civil nuclear programmes in Europe and Latin America.

His work focuses on early-stage nuclear programme structuring, international cooperation, supply-chain readiness, and workforce development. In this capacity, he maintains active engagement with key international organisations such as the IAEA, World Nuclear Association, and OECD-NEA.

Christian has held a range of roles within EDF and the wider international nuclear community, including assignments supporting major new-build projects, operational nuclear utilities, and international peer-review and safety-improvement programmes. He brings a systems-level understanding of how national nuclear ambitions translate into deliverable, compliant, and internationally aligned programmes.

He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and works extensively at the interface between industry, governments, and international institutions to support the safe and responsible deployment of nuclear energy.

Dr. Mohammed Dwiddar is the Advisor to the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority Board Chairman for Nuclear Projects and Operation and Maintenance, having served as the interim NPPA Board Chairman prior to his current role. Dr. Dwiddar was appointed as a Board Member of the World Nuclear Association in April 2025.  

Prior to January 2025, Dr. Dwiddar was Project Manager of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Project, leading the team overseeing the implementation of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Project in Egypt. The El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will have four VVER reactors and is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant. 

Before joining the NPPA in 2009, Dr. Dwiddar worked at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority as a reactor operator in the Nuclear Research Reactor in Inshas.    

Dr. Dwiddar has extensive experience in areas related to the nuclear fuel cycle and was closely involved in the development and updating of national strategies with respect to the nuclear fuel cycle for the Egyptian civil nuclear power programme.  

Dr. Dwiddar obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Science and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Alexandria in Egypt. 

Ian is Nuclear Fuels Portfolio Director for AtkinsRealis, a global engineering services provider with presence across the global nuclear fuel market. He oversees all business activities within the fuel market, responsible for growth, delivery and development of AtkinsRealis capability.

Ian holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield and is an accredited Project and Programme Manager. He has over 20yrs experience working in the nuclear sector, providing senior leadership to a range of complex programmes covering fuel, new reactor technology, and decommissioning.

Mr. Yu is a serial and leading U.S. advanced nuclear technology entrepreneur with 20 years of capital markets experience. He has advised a magnitude of company executives with corporate advisory services such as capital funding strategies, mergers & acquisitions, structured financing plans, corporate restructuring, and other business development services geared at taking these companies to the next level. He is a self taught and private self investor, his relentless passion for international business has helped him develop key, strategic and valuable relationships throughout the world. 

Mr. Yu leads the corporate structuring, capital financings, executive level recruitment, governmental relationships and international brand growth of LIS Technologies Inc. Previously, Mr. Yu worked as an Analyst part of the Corporate & Investment Banking Division at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street in New York City. 

Mr. Yu is the founder and chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., a vertically integrated advanced portable microreactor technology company publicly listed on the NASDAQ Exchange. Under his leadership, NANO Nuclear Energy acquired one of the highest technology readiness level (TRL) and patented advanced microreactors in development, reached over $3 BILLION Market Capitalization in value, raised over $600 MILLION to date and became Wall Street’s Cinderella story of 2024 as the #1 Top IPO Performer. In 2021, Mr. Yu was honored as one of The Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in business. He is an active Philanthropist and the founder of a Non-Profit Organization that helps nurture New York City kids through sports and education. Mr. Yu worked and continued his studies at Columbia University after earning a BA in Psychology from City College of New York. 

Istvan Szabo is a Senior Sector Engineer at the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg, which he joined in 2009. As a sector expert, he conducts technical appraisals of energy projects considered for EIB financing. Prior to joining the EIB, he worked across several General Electric businesses - including GE Healthcare, GE Energy, and GE - Hitachi Nuclear Energy - holding roles such as Safety and Regulatory Manager, Quality Management Advisor, and Regional Market Development Director, with responsibilities spanning Central and Eastern Europe. He began his career at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant and also worked for the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). He is a nuclear engineer by training and holds an MBA.

Since 2021, Ranissah Samah has served as the Government of Saskatchewan’s Agent-General in the UK, with a mandate to attract investment, grow exports, and strengthen relations with partners in the UK and Europe.

Ranissah brings over two decades of international relations experience in the public sector. She has held senior roles advancing government-to-government relations through the provision of complex policy advice, issues and stakeholder management, and the delivery of international trade and advocacy missions, official events, and engagement with the diplomatic and consular corps.

Ranissah has served on the Boards of Directors of the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Commission and was Ontario’s representative to the Southeastern U.S.-Canadian Provinces Alliance for trade and investment. Ranissah holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and B.Sc. from the University of Toronto.

Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Ranissah grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and later attended university and made her home in Toronto. She resides with her partner in London, UK.

Robert Willette is Chief Executive Officer and Director of enCore Energy Corp., a U.S.-focused uranium producer advancing in-situ recovery (ISR) operations to help strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. He brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across public and private companies in the energy, mining, industrial, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.

As CEO, Mr. Willette leads enCore’s strategic direction, capital allocation, and operational execution as the company expands uranium production and processing capacity in the United States. Under his leadership, the company is focused on supporting the growing role of nuclear energy in energy security, grid reliability, and long-term energy needs through the responsible development of domestic uranium resources.

Mr. Willette’s experience spans the full spectrum of corporate and operational management, including large-scale industrial operations, mineral resource development, plant and processing facilities, and capital markets. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with boards, investors, and technical teams to guide companies through complex transactions, operational transformations, and growth initiatives in both domestic and international markets.

Prior to becoming CEO, he held senior executive roles including Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary for multi-billion-dollar publicly traded companies.

Mr. Willette holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.

As head of global marketing at Cameco Corporation, one of the world’s largest providers of uranium fuel, Tim leads an international marketing team in developing and executing the overall marketing strategy for Cameco’s suite of nuclear fuel products and services. Tim has been with Cameco for over 20 years and held senior positions in marketing before assuming the current role.

Prior to joining Cameco, Tim completed a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration at the University of Saskatchewan.

Olga Skorlyakova is VP Market Strategy at Bannerman Energy. She has 15+ years of experience in the nuclear industry, spanning the fuel cycle and global uranium markets.

Prior to joining Bannerman, she spent more than six years at the World Nuclear Association as Senior Project Manager, where she led fuel cycle activities and the publication of The Nuclear Fuel Report (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023). Earlier in her career, she worked at AREVA in Moscow on business development across Russia and the CIS, and at TENEX, where she was responsible for sales of enrichment services in the Americas.

Olga holds an EMBA from Antwerp Management School.

In 2010, he graduated from the RUDN University with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations, in 2012 - the Kazakh Humanitarian Law University with a degree in Legal studies, in 2019 - the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation with the qualification of Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

He started his career in 2009 as a lawyer at ROTOR LLP. 

He continued his career in the field of procurement and logistics at Transtelecom JSC and National Information Technologies JSC. In the period from 2014 to 2020, he worked as a Department Director and Executive Director at Kazpost JSC. From December 2021 to February 2024, he worked as Director of the Methodology, Control and Monitoring of Purchases Department of Samruk-Kazyna JSC. 

In April 2024, he was appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer of NAC Kazatomprom JSC. 

Since 24 April 2024, he has been a member of the Management Board of NAC Kazatomprom JSC. 

With more than 40 years in the nuclear industry, Milton Caplan specializes in advising governments and utilities on how to increase confidence and reduce risk for large energy projects with a focus on managing projects for success. He is currently providing independent oversight of the Darlington Refurbishment Program, the Darlington New Nuclear Project and the Pickering Refurbishment Project to the Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines and is the technical advisor to the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on the Bruce refurbishment program. He has recently completed studies related to developing the skilled nuclear workforce of the future as well as feasibility studies for both SMRs and Large nuclear including work in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Milton is the co-chair of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) Economics, Law and Financing Working Group and lectures on nuclear economics and nuclear plant structuring and financing for the World Nuclear University (WNU).

Thibault holds a Master degree in Energy, Environment, Science and Technology and an Executive MBA. He has a complementary profile with 20 years of expertise in nuclear activities in Europe, in the United States and Asia including an expatriation of 7 years in Japan.

Today, he is heading the Marketing and New Nuclear Department of Orano Group.

Edward (Ed) McGinnis, CEO at Curio, is an accomplished senior U.S. government and industry executive with over 30 years of proven experience in the fields of nuclear energy, national and international nuclear energy policy and technical cooperation, national and international nuclear security and nonproliferation, science and technology policy and programmatic activities, international relations, and global energy policy and cooperation. Ed's experience includes serving as president and CEO of CURIO, at the White House as the Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), as Assistant Secretary (Acting) and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); leading DOE’s international nuclear energy policy and cooperation for over 10 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary; serving as the founding Chair of the 65-nation International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) and its predecessor Presidential initiative – the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP); as founding Director of the Secretary of Energy’s Global Nuclear and Radiological Threat Reduction Task Force, and serving over 10 years in nuclear nonproliferation, including countering the global threat of nuclear weapons proliferation and serving in DOE’s Office of Foreign Intelligence.

He joined the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency in Paris (France) in 1998 to conduct international studies on advanced nuclear energy systems and specifically the technical-economic aspects of (advanced) nuclear energy systems, their fuel cycle and waste management. 

Early 2002, he joined US-DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL, US) in the context of Generation-IV, SMRs and specifically nuclear energy system scenarios. 

In March 2009, he became Scientific Director and International Expert at AREVA NC’s Corporate Research and Innovation Directorate and from October 2011, he became Vice-President Strategic Analysis and Technology Prospective at AREVA’s Corporate R&D.  

After leaving AREVA in March 2015, he launched the nuclear advisory firm Nuclear-21. HE is member of the Scientific Council of CEA (France). 

His personal interests are focused on the technical and financial challenges in transitioning towards sustainable energy systems and thus the positioning of nuclear energy in such futures.