A Sparkly Hello to Mahal!
Portrait of Mahal Miles with the words “Welcoming Mahal Miles, Junior Consultant Common Spark" to the right
Common Spark is excited to welcome Mahal Miles (she/her) as our newest addition to the Sparkler Team where you’ll see her co-facilitating Energy (in)Equity trainings, co-designing projects related to thermal energy networks, energy efficiency, and more!!
Mahal brings to Common Spark a strong foundation in energy evaluation and regulation; her experience underscores a commitment to accessible, inclusive, and evidence-based decision-making.
In her most recent role as a Regulatory Analyst at San Jose Clean Energy, she ensured compliance with regulatory requirements, monitored proceedings, supported the preparation of strategic comments for regulatory dockets, and managed systems for tracking regulatory impacts. Her experience spans the private sector, where she worked in energy efficiency evaluation, as well as public health research, refining her qualitative analytical skills. She’s excited to further develop her facilitation skills and delve deeper into energy policy at Common Spark!
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To get to know Mahal, we asked her a few sparkly questions…
What is your snack of choice?
Popcorn! Specifically popped on the stove, topped with nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. High-fiber, great texture, not too messy…a great snack through and through.
What brought you to Common Spark?
Ever since being introduced to Equity-Centered Community Design during undergrad, I’ve been driven to find a space where I can do work aligned with this design process. A few months ago, I had the privilege of witnessing Michelle facilitate a working group for a California Public Utilities Commission regulatory proceeding. I was in awe—her facilitation felt like an art form. Inspired, I learned more about Common Spark and was deeply impressed by the care and intentionality that Sparklers bring to their work. Over the course of my career, I’ve engaged with various stages of the policy cycle: from conducting research that informs policy change, to ensuring compliance, and even supporting evaluation. This journey has shown me that my values and strengths are best suited for bolstering the design and inclusive shaping of policy.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m always looking forward to the process of learning and unlearning. I feel very lucky to be in environments that allow space for me to grow, and I feel so grateful for communities that hold me accountable with compassion and grace. This applies to how I think about the energy industry, how I approach activism, and how I show up as a partner, sister, friend, daughter, cousin etc.
Eleven family members wearing matching t-shirts, with Mahal in the center, smiling under a display of multi-color balloons. Not pictured: Mahal's favorite cousin, Manang Vanessa.
Books like All About Love by bell hooks and The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker have encouraged me to learn and unlearn just a bit more mindfully.
What does a just clean energy future mean to you?
A just clean energy future, to me, means ensuring that all communities—especially those historically marginalized or disproportionately impacted by climate change—have equitable access to the benefits of clean energy. It involves not just transitioning to renewable resources, but doing so in a way that prioritizes inclusive policymaking, where diverse voices shape the decisions that affect their futures. I believe that this future must be accessible, transparent, and deeply participatory. It’s about creating systems that support sustainability while also addressing systemic inequalities. It’s about centering equity and caring for our environments.
Murphy, Mahal’s dog with a curled tail, in the distance looking at the waves at Ocean Beach during sunset
What song/album instantly puts you in a good mood?
Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack reminds me of my sisters, so it always cheers me up!
Common Spark Consulting not only works externally with our clients and partners, but we also strive to work inwardly, recognizing that we must internalize the care, thoughtfulness, and intention we hope to represent as individuals and an organization. The Thought Library is where we share our ideas and thoughts, where we are at right now, on topics and issues that we hope will spark conversation for a brighter, more inclusive energy future.
