24 June 2026
Industry Awards Dinner - INVITE ONLY

✨INVITE ONLY - Proximo North America Deals of the Year Award Ceremony✨

Join us in celebrating and honoring the best deals in US Energy and Infrastructure in 2025! You can learn more about our awards on our website: https://www.proximoinfra.com/a.

By invitation only

25 June 2026
Plenary

Opening remarks: Welcome to Nashville

Will Reid
Commissioner of Transportation,
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)

We open Proximo Congress 2026 with keynote opening remarks from Tennessee's Department of Transportation. 

Plenary

Driven by data: Developing power capacity to meet demand growth

Tom Nelthorpe
Editor-in-Chief,
Proximo
Kevin Smith
CEO,
Cypress Creek Renewables

Hot off the heels of the closing of Phase 1 & 2 of Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, Proximo catches up with Cypress Creek CEO Kevin Smith on one of the largest solar and battery storage developments in the US. We use Proximo's proprietary data to illuminate the US Power space and investigate how innovative transactions can create capacity in a market seeing unprecedented demand.

Plenary

Topping Things Off: The New Capital Stack

Christina Kim
Managing Director,
Brookfield
Michael Obhof
Senior Managing Director – Digital Infrastructure,
Ardian
Lawrence Cyrlin
Managing Director,
KKR Capital Markets
Scott Zuchorski
Managing Director, Global Head of Infrastructure and Project Finance,
Fitch Ratings
Jacob Sandry
CEO,
Euclid Power
Rick Campbell
Senior Managing Director,
Blackstone
Moderator
Fred Petit
Co-Head Energy & Infrastructure North America,
Investec

As public and private markets converge, private credit is no longer a side bet—it’s actively transforming the architecture of deal financing. This opening panel dives into how private credit is influencing capital allocation, price discovery, and risk transfer across the spectrum, from traditional bank lending to capital markets instruments. Is private credit reshaping market liquidity and underwriting standards? How are originators and investors recalibrating strategies as new participants enter the stack? Join us for a fast-paced exploration of the structural shifts driving a new era of capital market innovation.

  • How is the rise of private credit influencing liquidity, pricing, and risk tolerance across the broader capital markets ecosystem, including syndicated loans and bonds?
  • In today’s market, what are the new boundaries (and overlaps) between private credit, bank loans, and public capital markets, and how are issuers navigating this increasingly complex capital stack?
  • Are capital markets seeing changes in underwriting standards, investor behavior, or regulatory risks as private credit plays a more systemic role alongside traditional instruments? What does this mean for market resilience in volatile conditions?

Plenary

Paying Dividends: Investing Through Uncertainty

David Gluck
Managing Director,
Carlyle Group
Liz Spruill
Managing Director,
Pennybacker Capital
Benjamin Krause
Partner,
3i Infrastructure
Rakesh Shankar
Partner, NextGen,
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Moderator
Joshua Lanning
Executive Director - Power Investment Banking`,
CIBC Capital Markets

Equity investors are on the frontlines as US political and regulatory waves reshape the risk landscape. This panel explores innovative deal structures such as adaptive equity waterfalls and bespoke change-in-law clauses that empower investors to weather volatility without sacrificing upside. Join leading market voices for a deep-dive on how equity can thrive even when certainty is in short supply.

  • How can equity investors structure deals to balance protection and potential in an era of heightened policy and regulatory risk?

  • What lessons have emerged from recent US market disruptions, and how have equity investors adapted their risk allocation strategies?

  • Which deal terms and negotiation tactics are proving most effective for equity holders in responding to unforeseen legal or political changes?


Plenary

Alternative Financing for Digital Infrastructure Assets in the AI Age

Tim McGuire
Vice President, Capital Markets,
Rowan Digital Infrastructure
Shannon Dominguez
Principal,
SDC Capital Partners
Victor Leung
Senior Vice President, Sector Lead, Asset Finance,
Morningstar DBRS
Hiren Thakrar
Digital Infrastructure Director,
Lloyds
Chea Hart
Principal,
DigitalBridge
Moderator
Gianluca Bacchiocchi
Partner,
Clifford Chance

AI is rapidly transforming digital infrastructure, driving unparalleled demand for data center capacity and spurring new waves of investment. Yet this gold rush is challenging conventional valuation models as capital floods into both established and speculative projects. This panel digs into whether alternative financing structures can sustain current pricing trends, gauges how risk and return profiles are evolving for next-generation assets, and asks if market enthusiasm is outpacing reality, particularly for facilities designed specifically for AI workloads.

  • How does the rise of AI-specific demand influence the valuation models for data center assets in the US?
  • What unique risks and rewards do alternative lenders face when backing AI-ready data centers, particularly around tenant concentration, technology obsolescence, and long-term contract stability?
  • What are the key risks and opportunities for investors looking at data centers supporting cloud versus AI use cases?

Idea Lab

Touching Down: Aviation Workshop

Sam Nakhleh
MD Infra Finance Americas,
Assured Guaranty

This session explores innovative financing solutions for terminals, fueling stations, and CONRAC projects across U.S. aviation. Attendees will examine deal structures, funding sources, and market trends that define successful project finance in this sector. Key insights will help participants navigate risk and capitalize on new investment opportunities.

  • What are the most effective financing models for terminals, fueling stations, and CONRAC projects in the current U.S. market—including public-private partnerships, municipal bonds, and federal support?
  • How can sponsors and lenders best assess, mitigate, and allocate risks unique to aviation infrastructure—such as regulatory changes, volatile demand, and construction cost inflation?
  • How do recent landmark aviation deals inform investor and lender strategies concerning revenue structures, lease terms, and long-term project sustainability?
Workshop

Next on the Docket: The Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act

Sia Kusha
SVP, Group Head Project Development & Partnering,
Plenary Americas
Stephen Brich
Commissioner,
Virginia Department of Transportation
Bryan Ledford
Bureau Chief, Major Projects,
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Morteza Farajian
Executive Director,
U.S. DOT - Build America Bureau
Jaclyn Hartman
Assistant Secretary of Transportation Investments,
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Moderator
Alberto Gonzalez
Global Head of Business Development,
Cintra, a Ferrovial company

With the the BUILD America 250 Act on the table, developers and investors are seeking insights on how the next bill will affect their project pipeline. The market is laser-focused on how evolving federal policies will shape project pipelines, risk allocation, and delivery timelines. This panel brings together policy experts and market leaders to decode what’s ahead; turning regulatory complexity into opportunity for the next wave of core infrastructure, transportation, and logistics projects.

  • What are the key provisions of the new surface transportation legislation that will have the greatest impact on project development and financing?
  • How can developers and investors adapt their project strategies in response to shifting regulatory priorities, funding mechanisms, and oversight requirements?
  • What role is the private sector expected to play in expanding and modernizing America’s transportation and logistics assets under the new bill?

Plenary

The Great Convergence: Data Centers and the Future of Power

Jason Kahan
Partner,
Lightfield Partners
John Day
Chief Commercial Officer,
CleanArc Data Centers
Michael Discenza
CFO,
Cypress Creek Renewables
Dhaval Shah
Director, Lead Analyst - Infrastructure Ratings,
S&P Global Ratings
Moderator
Vidhi Godiawala
Senior Business Development Manager,
Exile Group

A deep dive into structuring and financing integrated power and digital infrastructure campuses to solve what could quickly become the data center energy crisis. Discover how investors, developers, and utilities are collaborating to tackle the looming data center energy crunch.

  • What structuring models are emerging to finance power and digital infrastructure together and how do they mitigate long-term energy risks for data centers?

  • How are developers, utilities, and investors navigating site selection, permitting, and interconnection hurdles in the push for campus-scale solutions?

  • What creative deal terms or partnerships are proving successful in securing power supply for new US data centers?

Workshop

How Safe in a Safe Harbor? Life After the IRA Cliff

Leonid Mednik
M&A Director,
Ferrovial
Santosh Raikar
Head of Renewables,
Silverpeak
Jake Compton
Vice President of Project Finance,
Summit Ridge Energy
Carl Weatherley-White
CFO,
Greenbacker Capital
Ben Droz
Managing Director,
Acadia Infrastructure Capital
Moderator
Harrison Krupnick
Vice President,
Alliant Insurance

As the opportunities for Safe Harboring projects winds to an end, developers face something even more daunting - delivering before 2030 to secure the credits. Our headliner panel will discuss strategies for financing solar and wind projects in a post-subsidy environment, focusing on rising PPA prices and new contract structures.

- What types of M&A opportunities are likely to emerge as developers face challenges meeting Safe Harbor and IRA incentive deadlines?

-What financing models are emerging to support renewables development in the US as the industry moves beyond Safe Harbor and legacy subsidies?

-How are rising PPA prices and evolving contract structures shifting the risk profile for developers and investors?

-What financing and deal structures best position companies to act quickly and strategically on emerging M&A opportunities in the post-subsidy environment?

Invite Only

Peer Exchange: Connecting Public Sector Leaders

Lisa Buglione
Executive Director,
AIAI

This session is exclusively for private sector professionals, please contact eavie.burnett@exilegroup.com to register in advance.

Proximo is excited to partner with AIAI to run this invitation-only peer exchange designed for public sector professionals. Guests must register in advance. 

Networking
Plenary

Going Live: Financing BTM Power for Data Centers

Shawn Smith
VP, Energy Infrastructure and Grid Development,
Lambda Labs
Alain Halimi
Managing Director,
Nomura
Wayne Barnett
Vice President, Development, Strategy & External Affairs,
Centerstream
Mark Parrish
Managing Director, Structured Finance,
Bloom Energy
Moderator
Eric Pogue
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher

The explosive growth of US data centers is driving demand for reliable, scalable energy solutions—making behind-the-meter (BTM) power projects a critical strategy. Financing these hybrid and innovative deals poses unique challenges, with stakeholders navigating everything from regulatory hurdles to new revenue models and advanced energy technologies. This workshop explores current trends, best practices, and opportunities for financiers, project developers, and data center operators.

  • What are the leading financial models for BTM power projects at data centers, and how do they differ from traditional grid-tied financing?

  • How are developers and investors managing risks, such as regulatory uncertainty and long-term energy price volatility, in BTM deals?

  • Which structures (e.g., PPAs, leases, joint ventures) are attracting capital, and what do lenders and equity sponsors expect in this market?

  • How can BTM projects best monetize grid services and ancillary revenues, like demand response or renewable energy credits?

Idea Lab

Cracking the Code on Storage Revenue

Yinghuang Ji
VP, Head of Structuring,
MN8 Energy
Joseph Santo
Managing Director of Investment,
Arevon
Will Mitchell
Chief Commercial Officer,
Elevate Renewables
Brandt Vermillion
US Market Lead,
Modo Energy
Moderator
David Levy
Director, Project Finance & Loan Agency,
CSC Delaware Trust

Battery storage has set itself up as a linchpin for grid reliability, but volatile merchant markets make it tough to secure stable revenue streams. This panel will explore how US storage developers and investors are transitioning from pure merchant models to bankable. Speakers will discuss innovative financing structures and the evolving role of utilities, offtakers, and regulatory frameworks in making storage projects truly investable.

  • What types of long-term contracts like tolling agreements, resource adequacy, or capacity payments, are proving most effective in de-risking battery storage revenues?

  • How are developers structuring deals to attract financing despite ongoing volatility in energy and ancillary service markets?

  • What role do utilities, load-serving entities, and policy shifts play in supporting bankable storage revenue models in the US?

Workshop

Foundational Infrastructure: Building back the market

Thomas Mulvihill
Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure,
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Jensen Clarke
Director,
Fengate Asset Management
Stephen Tuffner
Director,
CVC DIF
Travis Isbister
Director,
Northleaf Capital
Naseh Kausar
Director, Investments,
John Laing Group
Moderator
Christopher Livingstone
Partner,
CohnReznick

America’s aging infrastructure struggles to keep up with economic growth and public demand, despite ambitious federal funding and public projects. To bridge the gap, fresh strategies and robust private sector engagement are crucial for revitalizing roads, bridges, energy, and essential utilities. This panel will explore what it takes to create a sustainable pipeline of private infrastructure investment and identify the foundational steps needed to solve the nation’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.

  • What policy or regulatory changes are most needed to unlock large-scale private investment in US infrastructure?

  • Where do you see the greatest opportunities for private capital in foundational sectors like transportation, water, and utilities?

  • How can the public and private sectors better collaborate to streamline project delivery and maximize impact across American communities?

Plenary

ABS for Digital Infrastructure: Charting the Path

Nick Beauregard
Investment Director,
Principal Asset Management
Ryan Delack
CFO,
Surf Internet
Mehdi Khalili
Portfolio Manager,
Legal & General Retirement America
Margaret Osmulski
Principal,
Ares Management
Moderator
Emeka Chinwuba
Partner,
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

This workshop dives into the rapidly evolving intersection of digital infrastructure and the US asset-backed securities (ABS) market. Participants will explore how essential assets like fiber networks, data centers, and cell towers are being financed through innovative securitization structures. We’ll discuss current market trends, investor sentiment, and the opportunities and challenges unique to this asset class. Whether you’re a market newcomer or a seasoned investor, join for a practical discussion on what’s driving growth and where the risks and rewards truly lie.

  • What recent trends have shaped the development of ABS backed by digital infrastructure assets in the US?

  • How are these deals typically structured, and what sets them apart from traditional ABS asset classes?

  • What drives investor appetite and what are the main risks in digital infrastructure ABS transactions?

  • Is the securitization of digital infrastructure assets likely to become a mainstream financing method, and what does this mean for future market participants?

Idea Lab

The Resurgence of Gas

Andrew Kapp
Founding Partner,
Northampton Capital Partners
Michael Crabb
SVP Business Development,
BrightNight Power
Lee Davis
CEO,
Kindle Energy
Kevin Rohde
Director,
Ardian
Moderator
Benjamin Gordon
Director,
MUFG

Natural gas is a critical bridge fuel for reliability, but is it  paving the way for a nuclear or long-duration storage future? This workshop invites dealmakers working on gas transactions to openly discuss the role that gas plays in the future of the US market - from market dynamics and policy to investor appetite and future energy transition. 

  • How are developers and investors structuring gas asset deals to balance current market demand with long-term decarbonization goals?
  • What financing models and risk mitigants are most effective for natural gas projects given policy uncertainty and the evolving US energy mix?
  • What contract terms or regulatory frameworks support flexibility for potential future pivots, or is gas here to stay?
  • What innovative projects have we seen in the gas market space over the last year, and what does the future of US gas look like?

Workshop

Case Study: SR400

RUSSELL MCMURRY
Commissioner,
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
Benjamin Djiounas
Managing Director,
JP Morgan
Casey Bush
Director,
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Moderator
Stephanie Wagner
Partner,
Mayer Brown

The SR400 Express Lanes project in Georgia represents a high-profile P3 initiative aimed at addressing severe congestion in one of Atlanta’s key transportation corridors. Leveraging private sector expertise and financing, the project was seen as a benchmark for P3 delivery in the Southeastern US. Its progress and challenges highlight critical lessons in risk sharing, stakeholder engagement, and innovative procurement methods.

  • How did Georgia’s approach to structuring and procuring the SR400 Express Lanes P3 balance public and private risks, and what lessons emerged for future projects?
  • What were the major stakeholder engagement challenges, and how did the project team manage public concerns regarding tolling, equity, and disruption?
  • In what ways did the SR400 experience influence the evolving landscape of P3 highway and managed lanes projects in the US, particularly outside traditionally active P3 markets?
Plenary

LinkedIn Headshots

Our event photographer will be on hand to help you refresh your LinkedIn headshot, an essential networking tool. 

Networking
Plenary

The Now and Future Leaders: Private Credit

Daniel Fein
Managing Director,
Power Sustainable Infrastructure
Andrew Ellenbogen
President of EIG & CEO of EIG Credit,
EIG Global Energy Partners
Mark Liu
Principal,
I Squared Capital
Jorge Camina
Partner And Head of Sustainable Infrastructure Credit,
Denham Capital
Brian O'Connor
Managing Director,
S2G Investments
Tiara Tingle
Vice President,
Digital Bridge
Moderator
Tom Nelthorpe
Editor-in-Chief,
Proximo

The US private debt market continues to expand as institutional investors seek higher yields and greater portfolio diversification outside of traditional lending avenues. Amid evolving macroeconomic conditions and heightened competition among lenders, private debt is shaping deal structures and borrower strategies in new ways. This panel will unpack the latest trends, risks, and opportunities facing both investors and issuers in the US market.

  • How are regulatory developments and shifting risk appetites influencing the structure of private debt transactions?

  • Growing interest, pros and cons of evergreen debt funds

  • In what ways are structuring and documentation for ABL deals evolving to address new types of collateral and borrower profiles?

  • What regulatory or competitive developments could impact the growth and attractiveness of asset-based lending in the private debt space?

Plenary

Proximo gameshow: Brought to you by Wilmington Trust

Nathan Ringelstetter
Senior Vice President, Finance,
Sunraycer
Mark Liu
Principal,
I Squared Capital
Liz Spruill
Managing Director,
Pennybacker Capital
Gianluca Bacchiocchi
Partner,
Clifford Chance
Federico Chiaramonte
Executive Director,
PGIM
Moderator
Doug Lavelle
Managing Director,
Wilmington Trust

In this all new gameshow, we put our industry leaders' knowledge to the test! Teams will go head to head, Jeopardy style, to compete on their project finance knowledge. 

Pool Deck, Level 5

Networking
26 June 2026
Workshop

Women's breakfast briefing: How to power the data center demand?

Amelie Pedersen
Vice President,
Basalt Infrastructure Partners
Phoebe Nguyen
Executive Director, Project Finance & Infrastructure,
CIBC Capital Markets
Maura Murphy
Director, Investor and Public Relations,
Doral Renewables
Moderator
Amy Guthrie
Americas Content Manager,
Exile Group

As project finance enters its next phase, the forces reshaping the market are increasingly clear: rising power demand, the acceleration of sustainable infrastructure, and the rapid expansion of data centres. This workshop will bring together women across the industry to examine how these themes are redefining investment priorities, risk allocation, financing structures, and long-term project delivery. 

We are proud to partner with WIN and WEN on this session, centering women in this discussion not as a side note to industry change, but as essential voices in shaping what comes next for project finance.

Plenary

Opening remarks: Powered by Exile Flow

Eavie Burnett
Head of Content,
Exile Group

Welcome to the final day of Proximo US Congress 2026! We use our AI tool, Flow, to consider the top take aways from the first day of the event. 

Plenary

Keynote: Wired for Growth: Inside the US data center boom

Kristin Khanna
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets,
QTS Data Centers
Moderator
Andrew Giudici
Global Head of Corporate, Project, and Infrastructure Finance,
KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency)

Data centers have become one of the hottest areas in infrastructure finance, with increasing debt and equity investment driven by cloud and AI demand. The discussion will focus on recent transactions, what investors and lenders are looking for, and how the market is navigating constraints around power, land, and delivery.

Plenary

Keynote: Apollo Digital Infra Perspectives - Scale, Structure, and Duration

Josh Pang
Head of Digital Infrastructure AIF,
Apollo
Moderator
Tom Nelthorpe
Editor-in-Chief,
Proximo

Proximo is joined by Josh Pang, Managing Director & Head of Digital Infrastructure at Apollo, who will discuss the scale of the AI Capex boom and what this means for investors. We'll consider the unique structures needed to deliver the capital needed to finance this unprecedented scale. 

Plenary

Navigating Grid Access for Large-Scale Energy

Daren Kaiser
Global Energy Strategy Lead,
General Mills
Shalini Mahajan
Managing Director, Deputy Head, North American Corporate Ratings,
Fitch Ratings
Moderator
Henry Zhou
Director, Project Finance,
Manulife

Connecting large-scale power loads to the grid is a complex challenge, shaped by regulatory bottlenecks, transmission constraints, and evolving utility-developer dynamics. As demand for energy - both clean and conventional - grows, both utilities and developers are seeking smarter approaches to permitting, interconnection, and stakeholder engagement. This panel explores where the pain points lie, what’s working to overcome them, and how policy can enable a more agile, coordinated expansion of the grid.

  • Which permitting and interconnection hurdles most significantly delay large-scale power projects, and what proven strategies can accelerate these processes?
  • How are transmission queue backlogs and cost allocation disputes impeding new clean energy connections, and what policy changes could resolve these issues?
  • What is the ideal balance between federal, state, and local authority for speeding up transmission buildout, and how can stakeholder opposition be addressed more constructively?

Plenary

Strategizing Solar Finance in a Shifting Market

Christopher Smith
Chief Financial Officer,
CleanChoice Energy
Tyler Nielsen
Managing Director,
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Raj Narayanan
Chief Financial Officer,
GS Power Partners
Jose Gomez del Campo
Director of Project Finance,
OCI Energy
Tom Delaney
Director of Capital Markets,
Nautilus Solar
Moderator
Robert Hamilton Da Silva Ashley
Partner,
DLA Piper

With solar capacity in the US surging, project financing models are evolving rapidly in the face of shifting tax incentives, interconnection delays, and rising merchant risk. As we move toward 2026, both traditional and new funding sources are being tested, with market adaptability and creative deal structures taking center stage. This panel will explore what’s changing, what’s working, and what’s next in solar finance.

  • How are shifting tax credits and incentive structures shaping the way solar projects will get financed in 2026?
  • What innovative financing models are emerging for utility-scale, C&I, and distributed solar as merchant risk grows?
  • How are grid bottlenecks and market uncertainties impacting investor appetite and deal structuring for US solar assets?
Plenary

LinkedIn Headshots

Our event photographer will be on hand to help you refresh your LinkedIn headshot - an essential networking tool!

Plenary

The Fiber Endgame

Dan Davis
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder,
Arcadian Infracom
Syed Ahmed
Managing Director,
Apterra Infrastructure Capital
Moderator
David Strauss
Principal,
BSP Technical Advisors

A market fairly protected from federal and policy uncertainty, fiber to the home projects have benefitted from favorable market structures. Navigating the massive consolidation wave in the fiber-to-the-home market and exploring the future of Open Access versus integrated retail models is now the name of the game. This discussion explores: 

  • Markets most primed for new investment

  • M&A tactics and considerations; what factors signal buying potential for savvy investors? 

  • Opportunities for innovation and partnership for new projects

Plenary

Paving the Way: Next Steps for America's Corridors

Tyler Duvall
CEO and Co-Founder,
Cavnue
Butch Eley
Strategic Advisor, Former Deputy Governer & Commissioner,
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Jen Duthie
Head of Innovation and Research,
Cintra
Moderator
Joseph Seliga
Partner,
Mayer Brown

As America looks to modernize its transportation corridors, integrating smart road technology, EV charging infrastructure, and digital fiber is becoming essential for mobility, safety, and economic growth. This panel will explore the financing and delivery models driving the next wave of innovation in US transportation projects. Join us as we discuss how to create investable, future-ready corridors through effective partnerships, funding strategies, and scalable project delivery.

  • How are public-private partnerships and new financing mechanisms accelerating the deployment of smart road and EV charging infrastructure across the US?

  • What commercial structures are emerging for embedding digital fiber and autonomous vehicle technologies into transportation projects?

  • What strategies can project sponsors use to bundle technology, sustainability, and connectivity upgrades for more attractive, bankable transportation corridors?

Plenary

No Matter Which Way the Wind Blows: The future of the US wind market

Mariana Fulan de Souza
Head of Origination,
Serena
Domenico Tripodi
Partner & Co-Head of Investments,
AIP Management
Arnon Klein
Head of North American Investments,
Octopus Energy Generation
Moderator
Amy Guthrie
Americas Content Manager,
Exile Group

This session will explore the evolving landscape of US onshore and offshore wind financing, examining how shifting regulatory and policy frameworks are impacting both opportunities and risks for investors, lenders, and developers. Expert speakers will consider:

  • How can developers, investors, and lenders collaborate to overcome some of the challenges that the US wind market faces today? 
  • Which US transactions in onshore or offshore wind should the market seek to emulate? 
  • How can lessons from European wind projects be applied in the US? 
Plenary

Closing Remarks

Thank you for joining us for Proximo's US Congress this year!

Networking

Networking lunch

End the event with one last networking lunch, and take that final opportunity to exchange business cards.

Plenary

Driven by data: Developing power capacity to meet demand growth

Tom Nelthorpe
Editor-in-Chief,
Proximo
Kevin Smith
CEO,
Cypress Creek Renewables

Hot off the heels of the closing of Phase 1 & 2 of Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, Proximo catches up with Cypress Creek CEO Kevin Smith on one of the largest solar and battery storage developments in the US. We use Proximo's proprietary data to illuminate the US Power space and investigate how innovative transactions can create capacity in a market seeing unprecedented demand.

Plenary

Topping Things Off: The New Capital Stack

Christina Kim
Managing Director,
Brookfield
Michael Obhof
Senior Managing Director – Digital Infrastructure,
Ardian
Lawrence Cyrlin
Managing Director,
KKR Capital Markets
Scott Zuchorski
Managing Director, Global Head of Infrastructure and Project Finance,
Fitch Ratings
Jacob Sandry
CEO,
Euclid Power
Rick Campbell
Senior Managing Director,
Blackstone
Moderator
Fred Petit
Co-Head Energy & Infrastructure North America,
Investec

As public and private markets converge, private credit is no longer a side bet—it’s actively transforming the architecture of deal financing. This opening panel dives into how private credit is influencing capital allocation, price discovery, and risk transfer across the spectrum, from traditional bank lending to capital markets instruments. Is private credit reshaping market liquidity and underwriting standards? How are originators and investors recalibrating strategies as new participants enter the stack? Join us for a fast-paced exploration of the structural shifts driving a new era of capital market innovation.

  • How is the rise of private credit influencing liquidity, pricing, and risk tolerance across the broader capital markets ecosystem, including syndicated loans and bonds?
  • In today’s market, what are the new boundaries (and overlaps) between private credit, bank loans, and public capital markets, and how are issuers navigating this increasingly complex capital stack?
  • Are capital markets seeing changes in underwriting standards, investor behavior, or regulatory risks as private credit plays a more systemic role alongside traditional instruments? What does this mean for market resilience in volatile conditions?

Plenary

Paying Dividends: Investing Through Uncertainty

David Gluck
Managing Director,
Carlyle Group
Liz Spruill
Managing Director,
Pennybacker Capital
Benjamin Krause
Partner,
3i Infrastructure
Rakesh Shankar
Partner, NextGen,
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Moderator
Joshua Lanning
Executive Director - Power Investment Banking`,
CIBC Capital Markets

Equity investors are on the frontlines as US political and regulatory waves reshape the risk landscape. This panel explores innovative deal structures such as adaptive equity waterfalls and bespoke change-in-law clauses that empower investors to weather volatility without sacrificing upside. Join leading market voices for a deep-dive on how equity can thrive even when certainty is in short supply.

  • How can equity investors structure deals to balance protection and potential in an era of heightened policy and regulatory risk?

  • What lessons have emerged from recent US market disruptions, and how have equity investors adapted their risk allocation strategies?

  • Which deal terms and negotiation tactics are proving most effective for equity holders in responding to unforeseen legal or political changes?


Plenary

Alternative Financing for Digital Infrastructure Assets in the AI Age

Tim McGuire
Vice President, Capital Markets,
Rowan Digital Infrastructure
Shannon Dominguez
Principal,
SDC Capital Partners
Victor Leung
Senior Vice President, Sector Lead, Asset Finance,
Morningstar DBRS
Hiren Thakrar
Digital Infrastructure Director,
Lloyds
Chea Hart
Principal,
DigitalBridge
Moderator
Gianluca Bacchiocchi
Partner,
Clifford Chance

AI is rapidly transforming digital infrastructure, driving unparalleled demand for data center capacity and spurring new waves of investment. Yet this gold rush is challenging conventional valuation models as capital floods into both established and speculative projects. This panel digs into whether alternative financing structures can sustain current pricing trends, gauges how risk and return profiles are evolving for next-generation assets, and asks if market enthusiasm is outpacing reality, particularly for facilities designed specifically for AI workloads.

  • How does the rise of AI-specific demand influence the valuation models for data center assets in the US?
  • What unique risks and rewards do alternative lenders face when backing AI-ready data centers, particularly around tenant concentration, technology obsolescence, and long-term contract stability?
  • What are the key risks and opportunities for investors looking at data centers supporting cloud versus AI use cases?

Plenary

The Great Convergence: Data Centers and the Future of Power

Jason Kahan
Partner,
Lightfield Partners
John Day
Chief Commercial Officer,
CleanArc Data Centers
Michael Discenza
CFO,
Cypress Creek Renewables
Dhaval Shah
Director, Lead Analyst - Infrastructure Ratings,
S&P Global Ratings
Moderator
Vidhi Godiawala
Senior Business Development Manager,
Exile Group

A deep dive into structuring and financing integrated power and digital infrastructure campuses to solve what could quickly become the data center energy crisis. Discover how investors, developers, and utilities are collaborating to tackle the looming data center energy crunch.

  • What structuring models are emerging to finance power and digital infrastructure together and how do they mitigate long-term energy risks for data centers?

  • How are developers, utilities, and investors navigating site selection, permitting, and interconnection hurdles in the push for campus-scale solutions?

  • What creative deal terms or partnerships are proving successful in securing power supply for new US data centers?

Invite Only

Peer Exchange: Connecting Public Sector Leaders

Lisa Buglione
Executive Director,
AIAI

This session is exclusively for private sector professionals, please contact eavie.burnett@exilegroup.com to register in advance.

Proximo is excited to partner with AIAI to run this invitation-only peer exchange designed for public sector professionals. Guests must register in advance. 

Plenary

Going Live: Financing BTM Power for Data Centers

Shawn Smith
VP, Energy Infrastructure and Grid Development,
Lambda Labs
Alain Halimi
Managing Director,
Nomura
Wayne Barnett
Vice President, Development, Strategy & External Affairs,
Centerstream
Mark Parrish
Managing Director, Structured Finance,
Bloom Energy
Moderator
Eric Pogue
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher

The explosive growth of US data centers is driving demand for reliable, scalable energy solutions—making behind-the-meter (BTM) power projects a critical strategy. Financing these hybrid and innovative deals poses unique challenges, with stakeholders navigating everything from regulatory hurdles to new revenue models and advanced energy technologies. This workshop explores current trends, best practices, and opportunities for financiers, project developers, and data center operators.

  • What are the leading financial models for BTM power projects at data centers, and how do they differ from traditional grid-tied financing?

  • How are developers and investors managing risks, such as regulatory uncertainty and long-term energy price volatility, in BTM deals?

  • Which structures (e.g., PPAs, leases, joint ventures) are attracting capital, and what do lenders and equity sponsors expect in this market?

  • How can BTM projects best monetize grid services and ancillary revenues, like demand response or renewable energy credits?

Plenary

ABS for Digital Infrastructure: Charting the Path

Nick Beauregard
Investment Director,
Principal Asset Management
Ryan Delack
CFO,
Surf Internet
Mehdi Khalili
Portfolio Manager,
Legal & General Retirement America
Margaret Osmulski
Principal,
Ares Management
Moderator
Emeka Chinwuba
Partner,
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

This workshop dives into the rapidly evolving intersection of digital infrastructure and the US asset-backed securities (ABS) market. Participants will explore how essential assets like fiber networks, data centers, and cell towers are being financed through innovative securitization structures. We’ll discuss current market trends, investor sentiment, and the opportunities and challenges unique to this asset class. Whether you’re a market newcomer or a seasoned investor, join for a practical discussion on what’s driving growth and where the risks and rewards truly lie.

  • What recent trends have shaped the development of ABS backed by digital infrastructure assets in the US?

  • How are these deals typically structured, and what sets them apart from traditional ABS asset classes?

  • What drives investor appetite and what are the main risks in digital infrastructure ABS transactions?

  • Is the securitization of digital infrastructure assets likely to become a mainstream financing method, and what does this mean for future market participants?

Plenary

The Now and Future Leaders: Private Credit

Daniel Fein
Managing Director,
Power Sustainable Infrastructure
Andrew Ellenbogen
President of EIG & CEO of EIG Credit,
EIG Global Energy Partners
Mark Liu
Principal,
I Squared Capital
Jorge Camina
Partner And Head of Sustainable Infrastructure Credit,
Denham Capital
Brian O'Connor
Managing Director,
S2G Investments
Tiara Tingle
Vice President,
Digital Bridge
Moderator
Tom Nelthorpe
Editor-in-Chief,
Proximo

The US private debt market continues to expand as institutional investors seek higher yields and greater portfolio diversification outside of traditional lending avenues. Amid evolving macroeconomic conditions and heightened competition among lenders, private debt is shaping deal structures and borrower strategies in new ways. This panel will unpack the latest trends, risks, and opportunities facing both investors and issuers in the US market.

  • How are regulatory developments and shifting risk appetites influencing the structure of private debt transactions?

  • Growing interest, pros and cons of evergreen debt funds

  • In what ways are structuring and documentation for ABL deals evolving to address new types of collateral and borrower profiles?

  • What regulatory or competitive developments could impact the growth and attractiveness of asset-based lending in the private debt space?

Workshop

Women's breakfast briefing: How to power the data center demand?

Amelie Pedersen
Vice President,
Basalt Infrastructure Partners
Phoebe Nguyen
Executive Director, Project Finance & Infrastructure,
CIBC Capital Markets
Maura Murphy
Director, Investor and Public Relations,
Doral Renewables
Moderator
Amy Guthrie
Americas Content Manager,
Exile Group

As project finance enters its next phase, the forces reshaping the market are increasingly clear: rising power demand, the acceleration of sustainable infrastructure, and the rapid expansion of data centres. This workshop will bring together women across the industry to examine how these themes are redefining investment priorities, risk allocation, financing structures, and long-term project delivery. 

We are proud to partner with WIN and WEN on this session, centering women in this discussion not as a side note to industry change, but as essential voices in shaping what comes next for project finance.

Plenary

Keynote: Wired for Growth: Inside the US data center boom

Kristin Khanna
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets,
QTS Data Centers
Moderator
Andrew Giudici
Global Head of Corporate, Project, and Infrastructure Finance,
KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency)

Data centers have become one of the hottest areas in infrastructure finance, with increasing debt and equity investment driven by cloud and AI demand. The discussion will focus on recent transactions, what investors and lenders are looking for, and how the market is navigating constraints around power, land, and delivery.

Plenary

The Fiber Endgame

Dan Davis
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder,
Arcadian Infracom
Syed Ahmed
Managing Director,
Apterra Infrastructure Capital
Moderator
David Strauss
Principal,
BSP Technical Advisors

A market fairly protected from federal and policy uncertainty, fiber to the home projects have benefitted from favorable market structures. Navigating the massive consolidation wave in the fiber-to-the-home market and exploring the future of Open Access versus integrated retail models is now the name of the game. This discussion explores: 

  • Markets most primed for new investment

  • M&A tactics and considerations; what factors signal buying potential for savvy investors? 

  • Opportunities for innovation and partnership for new projects