Impact Spotlight Series: Rethinking Leadership and the Future of Utilities with Mike Kurzeja 

At Impact 2025, we sat down with Mike Kurzeja, a forward-thinking leader in the energy sector, to explore how leadership is evolving, and how the utility industry is transforming in parallel. From saying “no” to embracing the financial shifts of tomorrow, Mike shared his sharp perspective on what matters now and what’s coming next. 

 

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned about leadership that you wish you’d known earlier in your career? 

Mike:
Early in my career, I focused heavily on doing what others wanted, the way they wanted it done. It took time, but I eventually developed my own standards and learned how—and when—to say no. Learning to push back appropriately is a powerful skill, and it’s something I wish I’d embraced sooner. It’s essential for building credibility and making decisions that align with your values and long-term goals. 

Q: How is the utility industry changing, and what excites you most about where it’s going?  

Mike:
The shift from a traditional producer-consumer dynamic to a “prosumer” model is incredibly exciting. With technologies like distributed energy and residential solar, customers are no longer just passive recipients, they’re active participants in grid management. This level of engagement and innovation simply didn’t exist two decades ago. It’s changing how we think about energy, ownership, and value in real-time.  

Q: What’s something you believe about business or leadership that others might not agree with? 

Mike:
I believe the traditional financial system is undergoing a profound transformation, and not enough business leaders are paying attention to it. Cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, is rewriting the rules of finance, investment, and debt in ways that we’ve never seen before. While it hasn’t yet caught on widely across industries, those who ignore it risk falling behind. Leaders need to start learning and adapting now, or they’ll find their business models becoming unsustainable in the near future. 

Q: What’s one trend or challenge you think business leaders across all industries should be paying closer attention to? 

Mike:
Again, I’d emphasize the rise of decentralized finance and digital currencies. These technologies are reshaping the foundation of how we manage and move value. Business leaders should be studying this closely, not just as a tech trend, but as a paradigm shift in economics that will affect everything from capital access to customer expectations. 

Q: Can you share a moment or experience that really shaped how you lead today? 

Mike:
One of the most formative leadership lessons I’ve ever learned came from my mother. She once had to let an employee go, and that person cried, not out of anger or sadness, but out of gratitude. They were thankful for the opportunities she’d given them. That taught me the power of leading with compassion. At the end of the day, we’re all human. Jobs are important, but they’re not life itself. If you lead with heart, you earn trust, and that’s the foundation of any great team. 

 

Mike’s reflections highlight a future that’s both high-tech and deeply human. As business and energy landscapes evolve, his message is clear: say no when it counts, learn what’s next before it arrives, and never forget the power of compassion.