ComEd’s Energy Force Ambassadors Share Energy Efficiency Knowledge in Your Community
February 19, 2026
Energy Force Ambassador educating a ComEd customer
If you’ve been to a community fair, street fest, or local event in northern Illinois in the past several years, chances are you’ve encountered an informational energy‑efficiency (EE) table hosted by a ComEd Energy Force Ambassador, charged with helping customers save money and energy.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026, ComEd’s Energy Force Ambassador (EFA) program offers job training, soft skills advancement and community work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, impacting hundreds of individuals throughout the program’s history. Those who enroll in the program gain purposeful work experience centered on engaging with members of the community.
ComEd sponsors the Energy Force Ambassadors in partnership with dozens of community nonprofit organizations across northern Illinois. When you see their table at a local event, say hi to the friendly ambassadors and you’re liable to receive valuable tips for making your home more energy efficient, or for reducing your energy costs by investing in electrified technologies. There may even be some free giveaways along the way.
This year, ComEd welcomed 17 returning Energy Force Ambassadors as well as 13 new ambassadors. These 30 individuals will complete in-person and virtual community engagements throughout the year, helping support ComEd customers with clean energy and EE resources.
In January, both new and returning ambassadors, alongside their job coaches, gathered at ComEd’s Chicago North headquarters for a training session to prepare them for their engagement work throughout the year. Ambassadors heard from ComEd President & CEO Gil Quiniones about how important this program is to supporting customers curious about the advantages of electrification and how the work of EFAs supports the company’s goal of building a cleaner energy future. Christina McGleam, Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, also spoke at the training about her professional journey to encourage the ambassadors to take pride in their work this year.
Gil with the 2026 EFA program
During the session, ambassadors received training in the basics of EE, learned about customer offerings through the ComEd EE Program and gained interpersonal communication skills. The day was capped by a tour of the Powering Lives Community Center, where ambassadors learned about smart energy practices and STEM activities. Nonprofit organizations participating in the EFA program receive a grant from ComEd to cover costs, including staff time and a stipend for their ambassador. Applications for organizations to join the program typically open in the fall each year.
ComEd executives, as well as corporate relations leaders and representatives from Exelon, ComEd’s parent company, also supported the training.
“The Energy Force Ambassador program was created to empower local adults with developmental disabilities by giving them a platform to connect with their community through fulfilling, paid work experiences,” said Paula Conrad, Exelon’s Vice President of Corporate Relations and an original founder of ComEd’s Energy Force Ambassador program.
“Since 2012, these ambassadors have been trusted voices in our communities to spread knowledge about smart energy practices,” Conrad continued. “I always look forward to connecting with our inspiring group of ambassadors each year and seeing their smiling faces at community events throughout our region.”
Here are a few of the new Energy Force Ambassadors joining the program this year:
Zach Sarbekian, 2026 ComEd Energy Force Ambassador, Aspire
Zach was connected to this year’s EFA program by Aspire, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing a more inclusive world by partnering with people with developmental disabilities to expand opportunities for living, learning and working, while strengthening families and building communities where everyone belongs.
“I have been with Aspire for a little over three years now and am happy with their job placement coaching, housing and employment workshops, and social activities,” said Zach. “I am excited to share my experience and knowledge of energy efficiency. I majored in economics at Northern Illinois University and, in my opinion, energy efficiency and economics go hand in hand in ways like managing costs. For example, how electric vehicles can be three to five times cheaper to maintain. I have been passionate about saving energy for a long time and now I’m able to actually learn more information and present it to customers and the community.”
Sean Sawicki, 2026 ComEd Energy Force Ambassador, Park Lawn Services
Sean joins Energy Force from Park Lawn Services, a nonprofit organization in Oak Lawn, IL, that empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by engaging them in social experiences, employment and community-based support services that promote independence and inclusion.
“[At Park Lawn Services], we go out to communities, play virtual golf, book club, photography club and more,” said Sean. “My favorite part of Park Lawn is the staff and my friends there. I am excited for all the events [Energy Force Ambassadors] do and to share the energy-saving tips I learned today like turn off lights when you’re not using them and how to charge your car on a road trip. I am an advocate for people with Fragile X, and I speak at other community engagements like ARC of Illinois and my mom’s classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.”
Janie Walcoff, 2026 ComEd Energy Force Ambassador, Shore Community Services, Inc.
Janie comes to ComEd’s EFA program through Shore Community Services, a nonprofit organization based in Skokie, IL, dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering educational, residential, vocational and life-enriching support services.
“We do things outside, we go to the library, we go bowling, we do arts and crafts and more,” Janie said about Shore Community Services. “I learned about the Energy Force Ambassador program from my job coach, Liliana, and an energy-saving tip I learned at today’s training is to use LED light bulbs. I am excited to be outside and meet new people in the community and have been looking forward to officially becoming a ComEd ambassador for a while.”
Be on the lookout for ComEd’s Energy Force Ambassadors at all Navy Pier Global Connections events now through May 2026! And remember – there are many more events happening throughout the year.
To learn more about this impactful program including an updated list of EFA participants and community events, visit ComEd.com/EnergyForce.
